July 27, 2009

Health Tip: Why Do My Muscles Twitch?

(HealthDay News) -- Muscle twitches, especially involving the eyelids, calf or thumb -- are fairly common.

Rarely, they can be a sign of a nervous system disorder, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Signals of a serious muscle problem include a change in muscle sensation, size, and a feeling of muscle weakness.

On the other hand, most muscle twitches aren't anything to worry about and only last for a few days or less. The NLM offers this list of common causes:

• Having a dietary deficiency.
• Getting too much caffeine.
• Taking certain medications, such as steroids, estrogen hormones or diuretics.
• Exercising.
• Having anxiety or stress.

-- Diana Kohnle

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