Twitching in the arm – causes, treatment and prevention

Twitching in the arm

Arm twitches generally do not occur in isolation. Twitching of the face, eyelids, trunk or legs is also common. However, it is usually only a temporary phenomenon.

Twitches in the arm: description

In contrast to leg twitching, arm twitches are usually harmless, involuntary muscle movements that are often only temporary. While the so-called Restless Legs Syndrome (restless legs) is the dominant cause in the case of the legs, the reasons for twitching in the arms cannot be narrowed down so strictly.

In addition, the involuntary muscle movements are usually not limited to the arms. When describing this phenomenon, one usually speaks of muscle twitching in general, rarely exclusively of twitching in the arms.

causes

There are many causes of arm twitching. About 70 percent of the population have so-called sleep jerks, which often affect the arms as well as the eyelids and legs. However, this phenomenon is medically completely harmless. It can occur with stress , overexertion, lovesickness, coffee enjoyment, hypothermia or magnesium deficiency .The nervous system is stimulated and stimulates the muscles to so-called micro-twitches, which are also known as fasciculations. The fasciculations are involuntary movements of small muscle groups that do not lead to a movement effect. They are not painful, but often uncomfortable for those affected. Usually they have no disease value and also disappear quickly.

In rarer cases, however, fasciculations are also pathological, with underlying diseases being ALS, polyneuropathies, myopathies, degeneration of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus or disorders of the potassium or calcium balance. However, other muscle disorders such as fibrillation (twitching of muscle fibers), tremor ( shaking ), dystonia (prolonged muscle spasms) or limited wave-like muscle contractions must also be distinguished from these fasciculations.

Other causes of muscle twitching that can also affect the arm are Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, cerebral hemorrhage, bacterial or viral infections , orthopedic diseases with nerve involvement, Tourette’s syndrome (tics), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or hereditary essential tremor. In the so-called restless legs syndrome, which mostly affects the legs and is even referred to as the syndrome of restless legs, twitching in the arms can occur in rare cases.

Diseases

  • ALS (amyotrophe Lateralsklerose)
  • Myopathy
  • Fibrillation
  • Tremor

When to the doctor?

Arm twitches are often associated with overuse of the arm. Lifting heavy objects, intensive strength training or a heavy load on the arm through professional activities can lead to the symptoms. Frequently, no doctor is required in these cases, as it is sufficient if the person concerned rests his arm for a while and ensures that no further physical exertion takes place. Light massages can also be helpful. If the symptoms reduce within the next few hours or a day, no additional medical care is required.

A doctor should be consulted if the twitching persists for a long time, if it increases in intensity or if other extremities are affected. Investigations must be carried out to help clarify the cause. There are often other conditions that need to be treated.

If the affected person has been exposed to a cold environment for a long period of time, the arm twitches can occur. If the symptoms disappear after sufficient heat has been applied, there is no need to consult a doctor. If the twitches occur sporadically or repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted. A deficiency symptom, mental stress or chronic illness may be present, which must be diagnosed. If you feel numb in your arm, you should also consult a doctor.

diagnosis and course

Often, arm twitches are a harmless thing caused by temporary stress and quickly disappear. Therefore, in many cases no intensive examinations are necessary. However, if the twitching is persistent and even accompanied by pain and restlessness , it is essential to see a doctor, as a serious illness can then be hidden behind it.

First, the doctor will analyze the nature of the involuntary muscle movements. The anamnesis of the medical history forms the basis for further diagnostics. Characteristic accompanying symptoms can provide clues to the underlying disease. Physical and neurological examinations follow.

Electronic measurements of the brain, nerves and muscles are also part of the diagnostic measures. Depending on the findings, an existing suspected diagnosis of twitching in the arm is substantiated by further examinations, such as imaging procedures and laboratory tests.

treatment and therapy

If arm twitching is caused by an underlying condition, it will need to be treated. Since the phenomenon of twitching is often based on a harmless cause, therapy is usually not necessary. It often helps to reduce stress or sleep in. However, there are now and then more stubborn causes that require extensive therapy.

Some diseases can be cured, but others can only be treated symptomatically. For example, Tourette’s syndrome is treated with neuroleptics or epilepsy with various drugs such as carbamazepine, clonazepam or valproic acid. Since Parkinson’s disease or restless legs syndrome is caused by a disturbance in the transmission of stimuli, which is based on the neurotransmitter L-dopamine, the administration of L-dopamine or dopamine agonists helps here.Essential tremor, in turn, can be treated symptomatically with beta- blockers or anticonvulsants. Although amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cannot be cured, its course can be stopped for a long time with physiotherapy and ergotherapy. For some conditions, such as epilepsy or essential tremor, surgery can sometimes help to reduce symptoms in general and twitching in the arms and other parts of the body in particular.

prevention

There are a few recommendations for preventing arm twitches that are not caused by illness. In many cases, a balanced diet helps reduce twitching. Adequate intake of magnesium is particularly important because this mineral ensures balanced transmission of stimuli between nerves and muscles.

Broccoli , spinach, beans, peas and bananas in particular contain a lot of magnesium. Alcohol and drugs should also be avoided. The reduction of negative stress is also recommended for twitching in the arm.

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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