Twitching why

These diagnostic tests can help your doctor determine the cause of your muscle twitching. If you have persistent and chronic muscle twitching, a serious underlying medical condition may be the cause. Early intervention can often improve your long-term outlook and treatment options.

The spasms tend to subside without treatment within a few days. But you may need treatment if one of the more serious conditions is causing your muscle twitching.

Depending on the particular diagnosis, your doctor may prescribe certain medications to ease symptoms. These drugs include :. But there are some things you can do to lower your risk:. Follow these tips for eating a balanced diet :. Most adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to stay healthy. Sleep helps the body heal and recover and gives your nerves time to rest.

To reduce the stress in your life, try relaxation techniques, like meditation , yoga , or Tai Chi. Exercising at least three times per week is another great way to feel less stressed. Talking to a therapist can also help, whether in person or using online therapy sources.

Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages or eating foods that contain caffeine. These foods and drinks may increase or promote muscle twitching.

Nicotine is a mild stimulant that affects your central nervous system. Quitting smoking also helps lower your risk for other serious health problems.

However, when this twitching does not accompany other symptoms, it is typically not a cause for concern. Physical exertion, fatigue , and drinking too much caffeine can cause or worsen muscle twitching. In this article, we explore nine causes of finger twitching and their treatments. We also offer advice about when to see a doctor.

Muscle spasms and twitching can be side effects of some medications, including :. If a person thinks that a medication is causing muscle twitching, they should speak with their doctor before stopping the treatment.

The doctor may recommend lowering the dosage or switching to an alternative medication, if possible. A magnesium deficiency can cause muscle cramps and tremors. This issue is rare among otherwise healthy people because the kidneys limit the amount of magnesium excreted in urine.

However, certain factors can increase the chances of developing a magnesium deficiency. These include:. A magnesium deficiency may affect other minerals in the body, such as calcium and potassium. Deficiencies in these minerals can cause additional symptoms and complications. A doctor may recommend magnesium supplements. However, anyone who suspects that they have a nutrient deficiency should speak to a doctor before trying a supplement. In , doctors reported a case of a male in his mids who had a vitamin E deficiency and developed a tremor in his upper limbs and trunk.

The man also experienced:. The medical team concluded that the tremor resulted from the vitamin E deficiency, but noted that this symptom of the deficiency is rare.

The treatment for involuntary movements caused by a vitamin E deficiency is a high dosage of oral vitamin E supplements. Anyone who suspects that they have a nutrient deficiency should consult a doctor, who can recommend the right dosage of supplements. People with benign fasciculation syndrome BFS have widespread involuntary muscle twitches. Symptoms are usually present for years, and some clinicians only diagnose BFS if the symptoms have existed for at least 5 years.

Doctors do not know what causes BFS. However, one study found a link between this syndrome and decreased neurological activity in the small nerve fibers in the skin and sweat glands. Reviewed by: KidsHealth Medical Experts. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What causes your muscles to twitch? Always consult your primary care physician if you develop muscle twitching after starting a new medication.

Neurological disorders — Certain diseases of the muscles or nerves, brain and spine can cause muscle twitching. Depending on the location, relationship to activity and pattern of muscle twitching, they can be a signature for particular conditions or disorders. Muscle twitches can be noticed, observed or felt, but are rarely painful.

Muscle cramps tend to be painful. Muscle cramps occur when large muscle groups undergo involuntary contractions. In other conditions, muscle cramps maybe a signature of specific conditions. Talk to your doctor about these concerns and ask for advice on what kind of lifestyle changes, medications or exercises could benefit your overall health and particular conditions you may have.

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