Everyone has had muscle spasms in their lives. They usually consist of localized muscle contractions, often of an area which has been injured or stressed. When the spasms are persistent or severe, they often lead to pain and brief dysfunction of the area involved. Muscle spasms can. also, occur when the nerves that supply the muscles have been injured or irritated. Similarly, they can occur when there is damage to the spinal cord. Occasionally, muscle spasms can be diffuse, particularly in response to systemic abnormalities, such as disturbances of electrolytes.
Causes of Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms may occur in response to damage of the muscle fibers. They can occur from electrolyte abnormalities. Irritation or damage to the nerves or the spinal cord can lead to muscle spasms.
Signs and Symptoms of Muscle Spasms
The involuntary contraction of a muscle produces a muscle spasm. The symptoms may be sustained or brief. Pain usually develops, particularly with severe and persistent muscle spasms. If the muscle spasm is in response to generalized abnormalities, there may be diffuse changes, including weakness, numbness and possibly irregularities of the heart rate. Spasms that occur in response to nerve irritation are usually limited to the region of the body involved. Irritation of the nerves exiting the spine frequently leads to spasms of the muscles the surround the spine.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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