Involuntary muscle spasms can be caused by fatigue, stress, electrolyte imbalances, muscle injuries, or neurological conditions. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and a doctor should be consulted if spasms are painful or persistent. Spasms can affect any muscle and may be a sign of a serious medical problem. Medications and neurological treatment are available.
Involuntary muscle spasms are contractions of the body’s muscles that occur out of control. They are different from involuntary muscle movements which are used to mediate a range of biological functions from respiration to digestion, as they involve muscles normally used in voluntary movements. Such spasms can be linked to a number of different causes, and treatments are available to address both the spasms and the underlying cause. It is recommended to see a doctor for muscle spasms if they are painful or persistent because they could be caused by a serious medical problem.
Some common causes of involuntary muscle spasms include fatigue, stress, electrolyte imbalances such as those caused by dehydration, muscle injuries, and neurological conditions. Sometimes a muscle spasm is just a cramp, and the contraction of the muscle can be relieved with a gentle stretch. In other cases, the chemical signals used by the body to control muscle movement are disrupted, and a muscle may contract and relax multiple times in a twitching motion that cannot be relieved with gentle stretching or massage.
These muscle spasms can affect any muscle in the body. In some cases, the contraction is very painful and the spasm can interfere with carrying out daily activities. Hand spasms, for example, can make it difficult to engage in a variety of activities. Similarly, leg spasms can interfere with a person’s ability to walk.
An isolated involuntary muscle spasm is usually not a cause for concern. There are many benign causes for involuntary muscle spasms and one of them is likely to be the culprit. If the spasms come back, become extremely painful, or don’t stop, it could be a sign that there is a serious problem. Problems such as organ failure, degenerative neurological conditions, spinal cord damage, and exposure to toxins can lead to involuntary muscle spasms.
A doctor can evaluate a patient with a spasmodic muscle to narrow down the cause and learn more about the patient’s overall level of health. If the cause can be identified and treated, this should resolve the spasms. There are also medications available to specifically treat muscle disorders, such as injections that can disrupt the signals sent to muscles so they stop contracting. If the spasms are the result of a neurological condition, patients should be aware that treatment for neurological diseases is constantly being refined and improved, making it advisable to consult a neurologist for the latest information.
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