Fasciculation
1872059
223486006
2008-07-04T07:50:59Z
66.72.97.195
/* Conditions */
{{SignSymptom infobox |
Name = Fasciculation |
Image = |
Caption = |
DiseasesDB = 18832 |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|25|3|r|25}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|781.0}} |
ICDO = |
OMIM = |
MedlinePlus = 003296 |
eMedicineSubj = |
eMedicineTopic = |
MeshID = D005207 |
}}
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]]<ref name="pmid8215252 ">{{cite journal |author=Blexrud MD, Windebank AJ, Daube JR |title=Long-term follow-up of 121 patients with benign fasciculations |journal=Ann. Neurol. |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=622–5 |year=1993 |pmid=8215252 |doi=10.1002/ana.410340419}}</ref>.
* [[Lower motor neuron lesion]]s
* [[Werdnig-Hoffman disease]]
* [[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]] (rare)
* [[Kennedy disease]]
* [[Organophosphate poisoning]]
* [[Benzodiazepine withdrawal]]
* [[Magnesium deficiency (medicine)|Magnesium deficiency]] (which can be caused by stress)
* [[Multiple Sclerosis]]
* [[Dehydration]]
* [[Fatigue (medical)|Fatigue]]
* [[Lyme Disease]]
===Medications===
Other risk factors may include the use of [[anticholinergic]] drugs over long periods, in particular [[ethanolamine]]s such as [[diphenhydramine|Benadryl]], used as an antihistamine and sleep aid, and [[dimenhydrinate|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.
[[Stimulant]]s can cause fasciculations directly. These include [[caffeine]], [[pseudoephedrine]] (Sudafed), [[amphetamines]], and the [[asthma]] [[bronchodilator]]s [[albuterol]]/salbutamol (e.g. Proventil, Combivent, Ventolin). Medications used to treat [[ADHD|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{{Fact|date=May 2008}}; 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.
Atropine Sulfate can be used with Suxamethonium chloride to decrease fasciculations during RSI (rapid sequence intubation)
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{GPnotebook|-946208762}}
{{Nervous and musculoskeletal system symptoms and signs}}
[[Category:Symptoms]]
{{muscle-stub}}
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