Is it normal to get muscle spasms

While most muscle twitching is the result of minor conditions and certain lifestyle habits, some muscle spasms can be triggered by more serious causes. These muscle twitches are often related to problems with the nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. They may damage the nerves connected to your muscles, leading to twitching. Some of the rare yet serious issues that can trigger muscle twitches include :. Make an appointment with your doctor if your twitching becomes a chronic or persistent issue.

During your appointment, your doctor will ask you about your muscle twitching to determine the underlying cause.

Your doctor will also perform a physical exam and gather your medical history. Make sure to notify your doctor about any existing health conditions. Your doctor will likely order certain diagnostic tests if they suspect your muscle twitching is due to an underlying condition. They may order :. 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. Muscle cramps are usually harmless, and they go away after a few minutes. But you should contact your health care provider if the cramps.

You usually don't need treatment for muscle cramps. You may be able to find some relief from cramps by. If another medical problem is causing the cramps, treating that problem will likely help. There are medicines that providers sometimes prescribe to prevent cramps, but they are not always effective and may cause side effects. Talk to your provider about the risks and benefits of medicines. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Muscle Cramps Also called: Charley horse. On this page Basics Summary Start Here. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. The vagus nerve is the longest of the 12 cranial nerves.

Here, learn about its anatomy, functions, and the kinds of health problems that can occur. Muscle twitching refers to small muscle contractions in the body. Learn more about the causes and treatment here. Learn more about this and how it relates to autism. Parosmia is term used to describe health conditions that distort your sense of smell. If you have parosmia, you may experience a loss of scent….

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The symptoms are similar to those of OCD or a tic disorder…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes Muscle Spasticity? Medically reviewed by Seunggu Han, M. Spasticity can make it difficult to: walk move talk It can be uncomfortable and painful at times. A variety of conditions can cause this, including: spinal cord injury brain injury diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS and multiple sclerosis MS However, spasticity can have some benefit for people with very weak legs.

Prolonged spasticity can lead to: frozen joints pressure sores an inability to function normally Make an appointment with your doctor if you have spasticity with an unknown cause. Prescription medications for the condition include: muscle relaxants sedatives nerve blockers Surgery is used in some cases. Symptoms that occur with muscle spasticity. What causes muscle spasticity? How is muscle spasticity treated? When should I see my doctor?