Fasciculation
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| Fasciculation Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | R25.3 |
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| ICD-9 | 781.0 |
| DiseasesDB | 18832 |
| MedlinePlus | 003296 |
| MeSH | D005207 |
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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 fibers. Fasciculations have a variety of causes, the majority of which are benign, but can also be due to disease of the motor neurons.
Causes and risk factors
Conditions
- The origin of most cases is at present unknown and has therefore been given the title benign fasciculation syndrome[1].
- Werdnig-Hoffman disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (rare)
- Kennedy disease
- Organophosphate poisoning
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal
- Magnesium deficiency (which can be caused by stress)
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
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 Benign fasciculation syndrome (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 the asthma bronchodilators albuterol/salbutamol (e.g. 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, so dosage and timing (i.e. with meals) are important.
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.
References
- ↑ Blexrud MD, Windebank AJ, Daube JR (1993). "Long-term follow-up of 121 patients with benign fasciculations". Ann. Neurol. 34 (4): 622-5. doi:10.1002/ana.410340419. PMID 8215252.
External links
de:Faszikulationnl:FasciculatieAcknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
