Just as you are about to gently drift off into the realm of dreams, you suddenly feel twitching all over your body. Muscle twitching while falling asleep is not uncommon, but it can also happen during the day that it twitches on the arm, leg or eye. Often, too much stress or a magnesium deficiency is behind the complaints, but other causes are also possible. We inform you in detail and reveal what you can do against the annoying muscle twitching.
Causes of muscle twitching
Benign muscle twitches that do not lead to any significant movement effect are also called fasciculations. The involuntary movement of small muscle groups produces a pulsating sensation that occurs primarily in the upper arm, thigh, and eye. Muscle twitching, however, can also be felt in other parts of the body. If the muscles are not directly under the skin, however, we do not notice their movement.
Although muscle twitching is annoying, it usually has a relatively harmless cause. For example, the twitching can be caused by the following conditions or substances:
- Magnesium deficiency
- Stress
- Mental imbalance
- Alcohol
- Stimulating substances such as caffeine
Muscle twitching usually does not cause pain and often disappears on its own over time.
Stress or psychological problems as a cause
If stress or psychological problems are the cause, conscious relaxation can help to combat the twitching. For example, try:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Autogenic training
- Walks
But soothing music can also help calm nerves and muscles.
Magnesium deficiency as a cause
If it twitches on the arm or leg, often a magnesium deficiency is the cause. If too little magnesium is available to the body, this can namely negatively affect the communication between nerve and muscle.
A magnesium deficiency can be triggered on the one hand by an insufficient intake of magnesium. This is the case, for example, with an unbalanced or unhealthy diet. On the other hand, a deficiency can also occur if there is an increased need for magnesium: This applies, for example, to pregnant women, athletes as well as stressed individuals.
If a magnesium deficiency is the cause, you should increase your magnesium intake. To do this, include more magnesium-containing foods such as nuts, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, spinach or beans in your daily diet. In addition, you can also resort to magnesium tablets.
Diseases as a cause
Muscle twitching is usually harmless, but in some cases it can indicate a serious disease. If the twitching lasts for a longer period of time or if it constantly recurs, you should therefore see a doctor in any case – it is best to contact your family doctor or a neurologist.
A doctor can check whether there is damage to the nerves. Possible causes of such damage include polio, myopathies (muscle diseases), a polyneuropathy or degeneration of the cervical spine. Likewise, muscle twitching can be caused by the nerve disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
Muscle twitching while falling asleep
The fact that you twitch when you fall asleep has probably been experienced by all of us. This type of muscle twitching is generally not dangerous. The twitching is caused by different body functions shutting down at different rates when you fall asleep. While many brain areas are already “asleep,” the area responsible for controlling movement is still partially active. If it mistakenly sends signals to the already flaccid muscles, muscle twitching occurs.
If at the same time as the twitching when falling asleep, sensory disturbances or pain also occur, the symptoms may also be due to restless legs syndrome. This is a neurological disorder in which sensory disturbances and involuntary movements of the legs, and more rarely the arms, occur, especially in resting situations. If you experience such symptoms, you should see a doctor.
