When Should I Worry About MUSCLE TWITCHING?

You’re just sitting at your desk and suddenly tic, tic, tic. Small muscles in your eyelids or legs start twitching, seemingly taking on a mind of their own.

The zings, fizzles nd ever-so-slight thumps of a twitching muscle feel weird and kind of unsettling. And if they happen to you frequently, you might worry whether they’re normal.

Muscle twitching is a very slight, involuntary, and often repetitive triggering of a muscle. They are extremely common.

“People typically experience muscle twitching in the lower eyelid and legs,” said Dr. Darine Kassar, board-certifid neurologist with Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land. “However, muscles throughout your body, including the ones in your arms, feet and lower abdomen, can twitch as well.”

Muscle twitching can be disruptive but is usually nothing to worry about. Rarely can they be a sign of an underlying health condition. However, it is important to know when to take them seriously.

WHAT CAUSES MUSCLE TWITCHING?

The peripheral nervous system helps control voluntary muscle movement. The motor nerves that trigger fie muscle movements are incredibly sensitive. And, sometimes, they misfie, causing it to twitch.

“Your brain needs to receive a specific mount of nerve impulses to enable your body to move,” Kassar explained. “Muscle twitching occurs when there is an imbalance.”

There are various reasons muscle twitching occurs. These twitches can often be due to lifestyle-related causes, such as caffeine, stress or fatigue. More severe muscle twitching can be the result of an underlying health condition.

How To Stop Muscle Twitching

Muscle twitching typically resolves on its own when it is lifestyle related.

“ Those who experience occasional muscle twitching can work on creating better habits, such as getting more sleep, reducing screen time and drinking more fluids,” Kassar suggested. Your provider may recommend muscle-relaxing medications if the twitching is severe enough and disrupts daily activities.

When To Worry About Muscle Twitching

A twitching muscle can be annoying. Fortunately, it’s rarely serious. When twitching is accompanied by additional symptoms, such as weakness, loss of tone or shrinkage in muscle, then it becomes more concerning.

Follow up with your doctor if muscle twitching is new and you’re experiencing additional symptoms. •M

Talk to a Specialist

If you’re experiencing new muscle twitching and other issues of the muscle, visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.201.6052 to schedule an appointment.