Minor muscle spasming can occur due to health conditions like nutrient deficiencies. More severe twitching can be a symptom of serious health conditions, including those affecting the nervous system.

Muscle twitching can result from both minor and more serious causes.

Keep reading to learn about muscle twitching, its causes, and when to get medical attention.

Muscle twitching is a general term for muscle contractions.

Your muscles are made up of fibers that your nerves control. Stimulating or damaging a nerve can cause muscle fibers to twitch.

Muscle twitches often go unnoticed and usually aren’t a cause for concern. However, they can sometimes indicate health conditions affecting the nervous system.

Various conditions can cause muscle twitching, which can range in severity. Minor muscle twitching usually results from less serious, lifestyle-related causes, but some causes may need medical attention.

Common causes of muscle twitching

Common causes of muscle twitching can include:

  • Physical activity: Lactic acid accumulates in the muscles used during exercise and causes fatigue. It most often affects the arms, legs, and back.
  • Stress and anxiety: Along with other symptoms of mental health issues that manifest physically, stress and anxiety can cause what is often called a “nervous tic” or psychogenic tic. They can affect any muscle in the body.
  • Stimulants: Consuming too much caffeine and other stimulants can cause muscles in any part of the body to twitch.
  • Nutrient deficiencies: Not getting enough of certain nutrients can cause muscle spasms, particularly in the eyelids, calves, and hands. Common nutritional deficiencies include vitamin D, vitamin B, and calcium.
  • Dehydration: Dehydration can cause muscle contraction and twitching, especially in larger muscles. These include the legs, arms, and torso.
  • Electrolyte imbalances: Electrolyte imbalances can result from dehydration and cause muscle twitching. This could be due to excessive sweating, intense exercise, or fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Nicotine: Cigarettes and other products containing nicotine can cause muscle twitching, especially in the legs.
  • Irritation: Irritation of the eyelid or the surface area of the eye can cause muscle spasms to occur in the eyelid or the area around the eye.
  • Adverse reactions to certain drugs: Many drugs, including diuretics and antidepressants, can cause twitches or muscle spasms. Consult your doctor if you are experiencing twitching and taking medications to see if the twitching could be related.

These common causes of muscle spasms are usually minor conditions that easily resolve.

But you should talk with your doctor if you suspect a medication is causing your muscle twitching. The doctor may recommend a lower dosage or switch you to another medication. You should also contact your doctor if you have a nutritional deficiency.

More serious causes

More serious causes can trigger some muscle spasms. 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:

  • Muscular dystrophies: This is a group of inherited diseases that damage and weaken muscles over time. They can cause muscle twitching in the face and neck or hips and shoulders.
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS causes nerve cells to die. The twitching can affect the muscles in any part of the body, but it typically develops first in the arms and legs.
  • Spinal muscular atrophy: This condition damages the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, affecting the control of muscle movement. It can cause the tongue to twitch.
  • Neuromyotonia (Isaacs syndrome): This affects the nerves that stimulate muscle fibers, resulting in frequent muscle twitching. The spasms most often occur in the arm and leg muscles.
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD): CKD can alter the body’s balance of fluids and electrolytes, which could cause muscle spasms.
  • Myopathy: These neuromuscular disorders impact the function of the muscle fibers, leading to cramps, stiffness, and twitching.
  • Neuropathy: Caused by nerve damage, neuropathy can result in numbness, pain, and muscle twitches, especially in the hands and feet.
  • Hoffmann syndrome: This specific type of hypothyroid myopathy can cause painful spasms and muscle weakness. It usually affects the muscles in the tongue, arms, and legs.
  • Focal-onset seizures: Some seizures begin in just one area of the brain and may cause uncontrollable movements. You can develop seizures due to epilepsy, low blood sugar, stroke, or other causes.
  • Serotonin syndrome: This condition occurs when you have high levels of a chemical called serotonin in your body. It often develops after using certain medications and can cause muscle spasms and serious symptoms.

Muscle twitching typically isn’t an emergency, but it can result from a serious medical condition. Make an appointment with your doctor if your twitching becomes a chronic or persistent issue.

During your appointment, your doctor may ask about your muscle twitching to help determine the underlying cause. You’ll want to let them know:

  • when your muscles began twitching
  • where the twitches occur
  • how often the twitches occur
  • how long the twitches last
  • any other symptoms you may be experiencing
  • any existing health conditions you have
  • any medications you take

A doctor also typically performs a physical exam. They usually order specific lab and imaging tests if they suspect your muscle twitching is due to an underlying condition. They may order:

  • urine or blood tests to evaluate electrolyte levels and thyroid function
  • an MRI scan
  • a CT scan
  • electromyography to assess the health of the muscles and the nerve cells that control them
  • electroencephalography (EEG) to record electrical activity in the brain that may cause the involuntary movement

These 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.

It’s important to diagnose and treat the problem as soon as possible. Early intervention can often improve your long-term outlook and treatment options.

Treatment usually isn’t necessary for most causes of muscle twitching. 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 diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe certain medications to ease symptoms. These drugs can include:

  • corticosteroids, like betamethasone (Celestone) and prednisone (Rayos)
  • muscle relaxants, like carisoprodol (Soma) and cyclobenzaprine (Amrix)
  • neuromuscular blockers, like incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin) and rimabotulinumtoxin B (Myobloc)
  • cognitive behavioral therapy or anxiety medications for underlying mental health issues
  • antiepileptic drugs for seizures

Muscle twitching isn’t always preventable. But you can do some things to lower your risk, including:

Eat a balanced diet

You may be able to support your overall health by eating a balanced diet that contains:

  • fresh fruits and vegetables
  • whole grains, which provide you with carbohydrates for energy
  • a moderate amount of protein, mostly from lean sources like chicken and tofu

Get adequate sleep

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.

Not getting enough sleep can make some causes of muscle twitching worse.

Manage stress

To reduce stress, you can try relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi.

Exercising at least three times per week can also help you feel less stressed.

Other options include talking with a therapist or using online therapy sources.

Limit your caffeine intake

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

Quit smoking

It’s always a good idea to quit smoking. Nicotine is a mild stimulant that affects your central nervous system. Quitting smoking also helps lower your risk for other serious health problems.

Switch medications

Talk with your doctor if you’re on a stimulant medication, like an amphetamine, and develop muscle twitching. Your doctor may be able to prescribe another medication that doesn’t cause twitching.

Muscle twitching commonly results from stress, exercise, or having too much caffeine. It usually goes away on its own.

Sometimes, muscle twitching can indicate other health conditions, ranging from nutritional deficiencies to nervous system disorders like neuropathy or ALS.

If you have severe muscle twitching that doesn’t resolve on its own, it’s best to talk with a doctor.