Muscle twitching

Muscle twitching is caused by minor muscle contractions in the area, or uncontrollable twitching of a muscle group that is served by a single motor nerve fiber.

Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed. Some are common and normal. Others are signs of a nervous system disorder.

Causes may include:

• Twitches not caused by a disease (benign twitches or benign fasciculations) are the most common twitches and often affect the eyelids, calf, or thumb. These twitches are normal and quite common, and are often triggered by stress or anxiety. These twitches can come and go and usually do not last for more than a few days. 
• Autoimmune disorders, such as Isaac syndrome.
• Side effect from drugs or medicines (such as from diuretics, corticosteroids, estrogens, caffeine, amphetamines, or other stimulants).
• Lack of sleep.
• Exercise (twitching is seen after exercise).
• Lack of nutrients in the diet (deficiency).
• Stress.
• Medical conditions that cause metabolic disorders, including low potassium, kidney disease, and uremia.

Nervous system conditions that can cause muscle twitching include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also sometimes called Lou Gehrig disease or motor neuron disease
• Neuropathy or damage to the nerve that leads to a muscle
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Weak muscles (myopathy)

Symptoms of a nervous system disorder include:

• Loss of, or change in, sensation
• Loss of muscle size (wasting)
• Weakness

No treatment is needed for benign muscle twitching in most cases. In other cases, treating an underlying medical cause may improve symptoms.

Contact your health care provider if you have long-term or persistent muscle twitches or if twitching occurs with weakness or loss of muscle.

Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam.

Medical history questions may include:

• When did you first notice the twitching?
• How long does it last?
• How often do you experience twitching?
• What muscles are affected?
• Is it always in the same location?
• Are you pregnant?
• Are there cramps with the twitching?
• What other symptoms do you have?

Tests depend on the suspected cause, and may include:

• Blood tests to look for problems with electrolytes, thyroid gland function, and blood chemistry
• CT scan of the spine or brain
• Electromyogram (EMG)
• Nerve conduction studies
• MRI scan of the spine or brain

Muscle fasciculation; Fasciculations of muscle

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Hall JE, Hall ME. Contraction of skeletal muscle. In: Hall JE, Hall ME, eds. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 15th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 6.

Wang LH, Lopate G. Muscle pain and cramps. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 29.

Weissenborn K, Lockwood AH. Toxic and metabolic encephalopathies. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 84.

Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.