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A fasciculation (or "muscle twitch") is a small, local, involuntary muscle contraction (twitching) visible under the skin arising from the spontaneous discharge of a bundle of skeletal muscle fibres. Fasciculations have a variety of causes, the majority of which are benign.
Causes and risk factors
Conditions
- The most common cause of persistent fasciculations is benign fasciculation syndrome.
- Werdnig-Hoffman disease
- Poisoning by organophosphates
Medications
Other risk factors may include the use of anticholinergic drugs over long periods, in particular ethanolamines such as Benadryl, used as an antihistamine and sleep aid, and Dramamine for nausea and motion sickness. Persons with BFS may experience paraesthesia shortly after taking such medication; hours later as it wears off (especially upon awaking), fasciculation episodes begin.Stimulants can cause fasciculations directly. These include caffeine, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®), and albuterol/salbutamol (Proventil®, Combivent®, Ventolin®). Medications used to treat attention deficit disorder often contain stimulants as well, and are common causes of benign fasciculations.
Treatment
Inadequate magnesium intake can cause fasciculations, especially after a magnesium loss due to severe diarrhea. Over-exertion is another risk factor for magnesium loss. As much as 80% of the population does not get the recommended daily amount of magnesium; this may be a common cause. Treatment is with supplements or increased intake of foods rich in magnesium, especially almonds & other nuts, and bananas. Ironically, magnesium supplements may result in diarrhea and more magnesium loss.
Fasciculation also often occurs during a rest period after sustained stress, such as that brought on by unconsciously tense muscles. Reducing stress and anxiety is therefore another useful treatment.
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"Fasciculation"