Accompanying symptoms

Muscle twitches alone are usually not threatening but have a harmless cause such as benign fasciculation syndrome. However, if warning signs appear, the twitching should be examined by a neurologist. These symptoms, known as “red flags”, include in particular: severe pain neurological deficits such as paralysis or impaired vision severe dizziness fever and unintentional weight loss severe, novel headaches A doctor must also be consulted if symptoms indicate epilepsy.

This is especially true in the case of loss of consciousness during convulsions and neurological deficits. If the muscle twitching is accompanied by loss of strength and muscular atrophy, this can also be a first indication of ALS and should be clarified urgently.

Severe pain
Neurological failures such as paralysis or visual disturbances
Severe dizziness
Fever and unwanted weight loss
Strong, novel headaches

Of course, there is no uniform therapy for the symptom muscle twitching, as this must be based on the cause.

If the twitching is stress-related, it should ideally be reduced. Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation or autogenic training can help here. If it comes along with tension, the biofeedback technique is also a possibility.

The intake of calcium or magnesium in the form of powder or effervescent tablets is often recommended. However, the benefit against muscle twitching is controversial, a clear effectiveness could not be proven so far. As long as you do not consume excessive amounts, you cannot harm yourself, so it is worth a try.

If there is of course a demonstrable deficiency, it should be compensated, but then by medical treatment! Psychotherapy should be considered for psychosomatic muscle twitches or tic disorders. A general treatment option is also physiotherapy.

If a serious illness is the cause, it must be treated accordingly. Especially in the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the prognosis is unfortunately very poor with an average survival of 3-5 years. The only drug currently approved in Germany is riluzole, which, however, brings only a moderate improvement.

If the disease is serious, it must be treated accordingly. Especially in the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the prognosis with an average survival of 3-5 years is unfortunately very poor. The only drug currently approved in Germany is riluzole, which, however, brings only a moderate improvement.