Muscle Twitching in the Upper Arm – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Muscle twitching in the upper arm

Muscle twitching in the upper arm occurs due to the voluntary stimulation of muscle cells by impulses from nerves. These are uncontrolled discharges of the nerves due to various causes. Pinched nerves, deficiency symptoms, disturbances in blood circulation or taking certain medications can be the cause of muscle twitching in the upper arm if the twitching does not go away on its own after a short time.

What is upper arm muscle twitching?

Muscle twitches in the upper arm are sudden twitches that do not happen voluntarily and are also uncontrollable. Irritations in the nerve cells can result in incorrect movement signals being transmitted to the upper arm. A distinction is made between very weak muscle twitching, which is only slightly noticeable, and very strong muscle twitching, in which the entire arm is brought out of its resting position and this causes movements.

If the arm is also still in a controlled movement sequence, the additional twitching can lead to slipping. Muscle twitching in the upper arm impairs the quality of life of those affected and, depending on the extent and strength, can also lead to great suffering. Muscle twitching in the upper arm is very often only recognizable by a short movement on the skin . This muscle twitching in the upper arm can also occur in otherwise completely healthy people (e.g. after very intensive strength training of the arms).

causes

As a rule, the cause of the muscle twitching in the upper arm is rather harmless. Mental strain, stress , tension and a lack of magnesium can lead to slight muscle twitching. Above a certain dose, substances such as caffeine or alcohol can also cause muscle twitching in the upper arm. Cold and hypothermia as well as certain medications (especially psychotropic drugs ) can also lead to muscle twitching.

In most cases, the muscle twitches are temporary and go away without further action. However, if the muscle twitching in the upper arm lasts for a long time or returns at regular intervals, a serious illness can also be the cause. In most cases, it is a muscle disease (myopathies) or a so-called polyneuropathy. Nerve disorders can also cause muscle twitching.

If there is pain or sensory disturbances in addition to the muscle twitching in the upper arm , there may also be neurological diseases behind the twitching, which must be treated. Brain injuries, circulatory disorders, viral diseases, bacterial infections , diabetes mellitus (here also high or low blood sugar) and orthopedic diseases can also be the cause.

Typical diseases that can cause muscle twitching in the upper arm include epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, multiple sclerosis, Tourette’s syndrome or tics and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Even after examinations (e.g. electron neurography, cerebrospinal fluid puncture or infusions), direct nerve irritation can occur, causing muscle twitching in the upper arm.

Diseases

  • Myopathy

When to the doctor?

Muscle twitching in the upper arm can occur after physical exertion. Lifting or carrying heavy objects and intense muscle training, for example, can lead to severe strain on the muscles in the upper arms. This triggers twitching in the muscles. Rest and some time to regenerate are enough to bring about lasting relief from the symptoms. In most cases, a doctor does not need to be contacted. Sufficient fluid intake is helpful.

If the muscle twitching in the upper arm occurs at regular intervals, there may be a deficiency in the organism. A blood test by a doctor gives more information about which nutrients, vitamins or trace elements the body needs. The muscle twitching in the upper arm can represent a psychosomatic reaction. Stress, inner tension or an overwhelming phase of life can be reasons for this. A doctor should be consulted if help and support is needed. In many cases, the person concerned finds a strategy for dealing with the situation without consulting a doctor.

If the muscle twitching in the upper arm lasts for a long time, you should see a doctor. If it spreads further, medical examinations are also necessary. Damage to muscle fibers or nerves are possible causes of the symptoms. Left untreated, symptoms spread and can lead to permanent damage.

diagnosis and course

If the muscle twitching in the upper arm occurs regularly, you should definitely see a doctor. Rarely is a muscle twitch a simple symptom. The diagnosis is often very extensive for the treating doctor when it comes to finding the cause. First, the doctor will take an anamnesis and ask the person concerned about the frequency and intensity of the twitching of the muscles in the upper arm. The doctor will also ask about possible triggering events (e.g. injuries, severe psychological stress, examinations of the nerves). Known previous illnesses must also be included in the diagnosis.

Following the medical history, a thorough physical and possibly neurological examination is performed. With the help of electrical measurements of the reflexes of nerves and muscles, the doctor can detect certain diseases, but also rule them out. The speed of nerve conduction, electrical muscle activity and brain activity can also be measured using various examination methods such as electroencephalography, electroneurography or electromyography .

Depending on the findings of the examination, further examinations may sometimes be necessary. These include, for example, computed tomography or nuclear spin tomography. X-rays , blood and urine tests and the removal of muscle tissue can also be useful for diagnosis. A detailed examination of the blood vessels, orthopedic examinations, tests for allergies or psychiatric examinations can also be used to find the cause.

complications

Muscle twitching in the upper arm can indicate a lack of minerals, vitamins or trace elements. In the organism, the deficiency leads to further symptoms. They often include changes in hair, nails or the appearance of the skin. In severe cases, the bone structure, joints or nerves can also be affected. Other illnesses appear. In the case of an involuntarily triggered muscle twitch, the mental stress increases. The fear of losing control increases and can be transferred to all other areas of life. This increases the general experience of stress and the risk of mental illness. An emotional overload is possible, which leads to reduced well-being and impairment in coping with everyday life.

Excessive physical strain on the muscles in the upper arm leads to damage to the fibres. In addition to a twitching of the muscles, pain or tension can occur. Overall muscle strength decreases. The performance of inhabited activities is restricted and there is a possibility of the complaints spreading to the neck and back. The supply of the muscles is ensured by various nerve pathways. Damage to the nerves leads to an undersupply, but can also cause movement restrictions. A circulatory disorder threatens a life-threatening condition. Persistent circulatory problems lead to loss of consciousness, increased heart rate, and attention deficits. There is a risk of a heart attack or stroke.

treatment and therapy

The treatment of muscle twitching in the upper arm is basically based on the cause of the twitching. Physiotherapy or acupuncture , for example, can be helpful for pinched nerves. Surgery is necessary when a tumor presses on the tissue and pinches the nerves. If there is a magnesium deficiency, changing your diet and taking appropriate dietary supplements may be sufficient to eliminate muscle twitching in the upper arm.

Circulatory disorders usually have to be treated with medication. Drugs are used to stimulate the flow properties of the blood. In the case of existing psychological problems, a change in the current living conditions, autogenic training, relaxation exercises, yoga , exercise in the fresh air (e.g. running, long walks) can help. Serious psychological problems usually have to be treated with psychotherapy or behavioral therapy so that the mental balance can be restored.

If it is a side effect of psychopharmaceutical medication, discontinuation or replacement with alternative medication is necessary. If there are serious illnesses such as epilepsy, surgical intervention in the relevant region of the brain can possibly end the muscle twitching in the upper arm. If a condition that requires treatment is behind the muscle twitching in the upper arm, the twitching usually goes away on its own once the condition is treated.

outlook and prognosis

In many cases, a muscle twitch in the upper arm is only triggered by harmless symptoms and discomfort. As a rule, these twitches disappear again when, for example, a stressful situation has been overcome. However, muscle twitching in the upper arm can also indicate a deficiency symptom and must then be examined by a doctor. In this case, there is usually no self-healing. These twitches can also be caused by improper blood circulation or by taking certain medications. Here, too, there is no positive course of the disease if no treatment is initiated.

If a pinched nerve is responsible for the muscle twitching in the upper arm, this complaint can disappear if the nerve was only pinched temporarily. In some cases, the twitching can only be limited, but not completely eliminated. Furthermore, no general prognosis can be given, as this depends very much on the cause of the muscle twitching in the upper arm. In most cases, however, the course of the disease is positive.

prevention

Prevention of muscle twitching in the upper arm is only possible to a limited extent. This is mainly due to the very diverse causes that come into question for such twitches. In general, a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and sufficient exercise is an important starting point in order to be able to avoid muscle twitching in the upper arm, especially due to psychological factors. Avoiding stress is also considered an important preventive measure against twitching.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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