{"id":4699,"date":"2020-02-10T09:06:40","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T09:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/?p=4699"},"modified":"2021-08-13T07:37:28","modified_gmt":"2021-08-13T07:37:28","slug":"14-causes-of-muscle-spasm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/veryhealthy.life\/14-causes-of-muscle-spasm\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Causes of Muscle Spasm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Muscle spasm is an involuntary contraction of muscles that is often abrupt and characterized by sharp pain. It is always temporary and harmless unless it keeps reoccurring that you may need to worry about them. This condition can be experienced in different muscles of the body with a spasm of the skeletal muscles being the most common form of the condition. Other parts commonly affected by muscle spasm include the thighs, foot arches, hands, calves, abdomen, and sometimes the ribcage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muscles are made of fibers controlled by the nerves. A sudden stimulation of the muscle or damage to the nerve may result in the muscle fibers twitching. A mild case of muscle spasm can go unnoticed, while sometimes the pain can be excruciating. Although muscle spasm is not caused by alarm, in some recurring cases the condition could be signaling a developing nervous disorder. Muscle spasm can be neutralized by muscle relaxants and physical therapy among other treatments. Below are 14 causes of muscle spasm; <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Overusing a muscle <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spasm often occurs on overused, strained, or previously injured muscles. When a muscle<\/a> is overstretched, or held in one position for a long time like during writing or typing, the spasm is likely to occur. In this case, the respective muscle cell(s) become exhausted and the fluid in it gets hyperexcitable, thus a forceful contraction. Skeletal muscle spasm resulting from overuse is often experienced by athletes doing strenuous physical exercises in hot environments.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muscle spasm as a result of overuse is an occupational hazard affecting construction workers working in hot environments. Usually, the contraction affects the large muscles being strained during work. The condition culminates in severe heat cramps upon prolonged exposure to heat. Routine strenuous activities like snow shoveling mowing or raking grass can cause muscle spasms of the shoulder, neck, and back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Dehydration <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration refers to a condition where there is a deficiency of water <\/a>in the body. Ideally, adult women\u2019s bodies should have between 45 and 60% of water, while adult men should have between 50 and 65%. A person is said to be dehydrated when the total percentage of water in their bodies fluctuates below the aforementioned optimum ranges. The range differs for practicing athletes who should have 5% more water in their bodies to balance water lose due to rigorous activities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lack of water in the body interferes with the body\u2019s metabolic process. Dehydration can occur as a result of extreme temperatures, exercise, inadequate hydration or certain diseases that cause rapid water loss from the body. Muscle spasm is among the several symptoms of dehydration that include fatigue, headache, dizziness, confusion, and muscle cramps. Mild cases of muscle spasm resulting from dehydration can be resolved with oral hydration while severe cases can only respond to intravenous fluid replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Hypocalcaemia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hypocalcaemia is a condition where the blood <\/a>has inadequate calcium. It can also be caused by a lack of vitamin D. A person is said to have hypocalcemia when their serum calcium level is below 2.1 mmol\/l. The normal levels of calcium in a healthy person\u2019s serum should range between 2.1 and 2.6mmol\/l. Mild cases of hypocalcemia have no significant symptoms, however, severe cases of the condition cause a muscle spasm, seizures, numbness, cardiac arrest, confusion, and even cramps.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hypocalcemia is associated with other medical disorders such as kidney failure, hyperparathyroidism, rhabdomyolysis, pancreatitis, and vitamin D deficiency. Fortunately, the condition can be corrected through certain treatments such as intravenous calcium chloride, Magnesium sulfate, calcium, and vitamin D supplements. Observing ideal dietary practices serves a great deal in keeping hypocalcemia at bay. In some cases where hypocalcemia is caused by an underlying condition, doctors have to treat the condition for the patient to heal totally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Hyponatremia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hyponatremia is a condition that often occurs as a result of low sodium levels in the blood<\/a>. This condition makes the body retain too much water beyond healthy levels resulting in dilution of sodium in the blood. When the sodium concentration in the blood is below 135mmol\/l, a person is said to suffer from hyponatremia or low blood sodium levels. It becomes a severe case of hyponatremia when the sodium concentration drops below 120mmol\/l. involuntary contraction of the muscles (muscle spasm) is one of the common signs of this condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other symptoms include cramps, nausea, seizures, headaches, confusion, and even coma. There are several known causes of hyponatremia that include sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, hypothyroidism, inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion syndrome, adrenal deficiency, and multiple myeloma among others. Treating these symptoms involves correcting the underlying cause of hyponatremia. Mild cases of hyponatremia may resolve within days or weeks, while severe cases would require medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Hypomagnesemia <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hypomagnesemia <\/a>is the deficiency of magnesium in the blood. It is clinically described as having magnesium level in the serum below 0.6mmol\/l. Magnesium is needed for over 300 biochemical processes in the body. Among several other functions, it helps maintain the normal functionality of the nerves and muscles, promotes a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady and strengthening the bones. It is also essential in balancing blood glucose levels and is crucial in the synthesis of energy and protein.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Magnesium deficiency in the body is known to cause symptoms such as muscle spasms, loss of appetite, seizures, cardiac arrest, muscle cramps, and personality changes among others. Hypomagnesemia can be caused by insufficient magnesium intake, chronic alcoholism, diarrhea, loss of magnesium through urine, diabetes mellitus, and poor absorption of magnesium in the intestines. Depending on the severity, this condition is treatable through intravenous or oral magnesium sulfate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Stress and anxiety<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing psychological stress or high levels of anxiety <\/a>can prompt an involuntary and noticeable muscle tension. Muscle spasms resulting from stress can occur anywhere in the body. Stress releases neurotransmitters from the nerves serving the muscles which can sometimes cause a sudden muscle pulse. Anxiety, on the other hand, can make an individual hyperventilate (breath faster), thus changing the concentration of ions and pH in the body. This can cause certain muscles of the body to contract suddenly causing chilling pain in the affected region.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same way psychological stress is responsible for other conditions such as insomnia or headaches- it is also possible for stress to cause sudden painful contraction of the muscles. Stress-induced muscle spasm can be resolved by employing relaxation techniques like massage and meditation. Learn to deal with the issues that stress you up to avoid enduring stabbing episodes of muscle spasms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Not getting enough sleep and exhaustion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes when you are exhausted and look like you have been chewed up, spit out, and stepped on, the only way your body can signal that you need some rest is through muscle <\/a>spasms. Lack of sleep is known to affect the normal functioning of neurotransmitter receptors. The impact of inadequate sleep on neurotransmitters can lead to muscle spasm. The commonplace individuals experience muscle spasm from fatigue and lack of sleep is in the eyelids. Spasms of the eyelids may appear like you are signaling someone in Morse code.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyelids spasms are annoying but harmless. The good news is that the condition resolves after a few days or weeks of adequate sleep and rest. On the other hand, the condition can return after a few more days. The secret is to get enough sleep and plenty of rest especially after undertaking a strenuous task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8<\/strong>. Unhealthy consumption of caffeine <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While caffeine intake can stimulate the central nervous system and keep you alert for long regardless of sleep or fatigue, too much of it can trigger muscle spasms in different parts of the body. Besides muscle spasms, caffeine is known to cause anxiety <\/a>by inhibiting the effects of adenosine- a natural chemical secreted by the brain whose role is to make an individual feel tired.\u00a0 Caffeine also causes insomnia by making people stay awake longer than normal. Consumers of caffeine are likely to develop digestive disorders, muscle breakdown, addiction, high blood pressure, unstable heartbeat, and fatigue among others.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caffeine has the same effect as other stimulants such as amphetamines. If you can\u2019t quit coffee completely, then at least reduce your daily intake to avoid experiencing weird and painful muscle spasms. Caffeine addicts planning to ditch the substance should brace up for severe withdrawal symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Poor physical shape<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regular and adequate physical exercises can help keep you in a perfect physical shape free from conditions resulting from a poor physical shape like muscle spasms. When you don\u2019t work out enough, your muscles <\/a>are likely to get exhausted and cramp up. Experiencing muscle spasm immediately after a workout is an indication that the session was hardly adequate and that you need to spend more time developing your muscles. This would mean spending more time in the gym striving to build uniformly strong muscles.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might need to through in some strength training in your workout routine at least twice each week. This will help keep your muscles in the perfect condition, thus preventing occurrences of muscle spasms. Working out is a viable solution to a muscle spasm resulting from poor body shape. Make it your habit working your muscles regularly, and general good health free from muscle spasms and other illnesses will be your portion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Certain medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are certain medications whose side effects include muscle spasm. Patients of high blood pressure<\/a>, for instance, are put on water pills that make them pee more often. Peeing too many drops the amount of potassium in the body. Potassium is among the most essential minerals in the body known for promoting fluid balance, controlling nerve signals, and muscle contraction. A diet rich in potassium may help reduce the effects of blood pressure, prevent a person from suffering a stroke, improve the body\u2019s water retention, and prevent the development of kidney stones and osteoporosis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The common signs of potassium deficiency in the bloodstream besides muscle spasms are vomiting, diarrhea, and disorders of the adrenaline glands among others. As a result of the deficiency, the muscles feel weak, twitch, and paralyzed. Other medications such as some antidepressants and drugs used to treat epilepsy can also lead to eyelid spasm<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Serotonin Syndrome   <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Serotonin <\/a>syndrome refers to a group of symptoms that are likely to show upon using certain drugs or medication. These symptoms can either be mild or severe. Examples of these symptoms include muscle spasm, high bodily temperatures that may result in sweating, agitation, diarrhea and dilated pupils among others. When an individual\u2019s temperature escalates to over 41.1 degrees, other complications like seizures and general muscle weakness may take place.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These symptoms show after a few hours upon taking certain medications. The new drugs or supplements are said to trigger the buildup of serotonin levels in the body causing the above-mentioned symptoms to show. The best possible way to avoid the risk of serotonin syndrome is to avoid new medications that are likely to increase your serotonin level. This means checking with the doctor always before using any new medication, even over-the-counter drugs or supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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1<\/strong>2. Kidney disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When your kidneys <\/a>lose most of their ability to function properly you might experience frequent muscle spasms along with different other signs indicating that these crucial organs are slowing down. Recurring muscle spasms are never a good sign for patients of diabetes, kidney disease, or high blood pressure. Spasms among patients with kidney disease are thought to be caused by fluid and electrolyte imbalances. They can also result from nerve damage or blood flow issues. Muscle spasms only occur in a severe case of kidney disease where the kidney is believed to have lost a significant chunk of its functionality.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When muscle spasms accompany decreased passing out of urine, swelling in the limbs caused by fluid retention and difficulty breathing, it becomes apparent that the kidneys are on the verge of total collapse and it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately. Inasmuch as muscle spasm is not caused for alarm, but when it results from an underlying medical condition it becomes a crucial signal of ill health<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Neuropathy <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Neuropathy is numbness<\/a>, weakness, or pain resulting from damage of a nerve. The most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes, but it can also occur when the nerve is injured, infected, or poisoned. Treatment can help reduce the symptoms of neuropathy, but unfortunately, the condition cannot go away completely. When nerve cells are damaged, their communication patterns with each other and the nervous system is altered big time. Among the first warnings of this condition is a muscle spasm that tries to signal an abnormality in the nerves.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the cause of neuropathy, whether it is through physical trauma, infection, alcoholism, or when it is induced by certain medications and treatments like chemotherapy, the signs happen to be common across the board. Upon experiencing the first signs of neuropathy which could be muscle spasm, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention and have the doctors try to treat these symptoms before they become severe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Isaac\u2019s Syndrome<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a rare neuromuscular disorder whose common signs include muscle <\/a>spasms, stiffness, involuntary twitching of the muscles (myokymia), and faded reflexes. Normally the nerves receive their commands from the brain before executing them. In the case of Isaac\u2019s Syndrome, the nerve without any communication from the central nervous system executes a rogue command to initiate muscle movement. Isaac\u2019s Syndrome makes the targeted muscles to ripple and the person feels like something is crawling under their skin. Interestingly, this symptom occurs in a person\u2019s sleep and even under anesthesia.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The persistent and involuntary muscle movement is known to cause spasm, cramps, and stiffness. Although there is no specific treatment for Isaac\u2019s Syndrome, the symptoms displayed are not fatal or severely damaging. The symptoms may show from infancy but are more common among individuals between 40 and 60 years of age. Diagnosis is based on the visible involuntary muscle movement, especially in the face and hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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