Associated symptoms of muscle twitching
The sudden twitching of a muscle or a muscle group cannot be controlled and is caused by a malfunction of the associated nerve. In most cases, stress or emotional strain is the cause. However, a nerve irritation caused by a herniated disc can always be the cause.
In this case, pain and sensory disturbances also occur as accompanying symptoms. In the worst case, the affected muscle may even become paralyzed. Even in the case of epilepsy, only muscle twitches may occur at first.
In a focal seizure, only a small area of the brain is affected by the disorder and there is usually no disturbance of consciousness. In a generalized seizure, both halves of the brain can be completely affected, in which case, in addition to muscle twitches, unconsciousness also occurs. Most seizures last only a few minutes and stop by themselves.
Muscle twitching can also play a role in other neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, there are also other accompanying symptoms. In most cases, patients complain about a disturbance of fine motor skills and about gait insecurity.
Basically, it can be said that muscle twitches without accompanying symptoms are rather harmless. However, if accompanying symptoms occur, one should urgently consult a doctor. An involuntary muscle twitch is caused by irritation of the nerve that activates the muscle.
This can be the case, for example, due to damage to the intervertebral disc in the area of the nerve root. The leaking disc tissue presses on the nerve. This usually leads to massive pain.
Often stress and emotional strain are causes for muscle twitching. In these cases, however, there is no pain as an accompanying symptom.So if pain occurs in addition to the muscle twitching, this can be an indication of a serious disease such as a herniated disc. An irritated nerve activates the muscle during muscle twitching, causing it to contract involuntarily.
Tingling is a very typical accompanying symptom, since many patients perceive nerve irritation as a tingling sensation. In most cases, discrete nerve irritation causes a tingling sensation. If the nerve is damaged for a longer period of time, pain occurs.
One knows this for example from a hand that has fallen asleep. It is therefore nothing to worry about. However, if the tingling and muscle twitching does not disappear by itself, you should consult a doctor.
