Alternate Names: Spasms - muscle
Considerations: Muscle cramps most often occur in the foot or in the calf muscle.
Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal, while others indicate a neurologic disorder.
Common Causes: MUSCLE SPASMS
MUSCLE TWITCHING- benign, nonpathologic fasciculations (not caused by disease or disorders)
- often affect the eyelids, calf, or thumb
- normal and quite common, often triggered by stress, anxiety
- a diet deficiency
- drug overdose
- drug side effect (such as diuretics, corticosteroids and estrogens)
Home Care: Slow stretching often brings relief.
Follow prescribed therapy.
Call If:
- there are severe, prolonged or recurring muscle spasms or cramps that are unexplained or that aren’t relieved by simple stretching.
- there are prolonged or persistent muscle twitches that are unexplained.
What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting your muscle spasms in detail may include:
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:Pain relievers (analgesics) may be prescribed. Job, school, and home lifestyles may be explored and levels of stress noted.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to muscle spasms to your personal medical record.
