|  | Conditions Treatments | Diseases

Muscle Spasm Vs. Angina

Muscle spasms and angina are two conditions that can be uncomfortable or even painful. Muscle spasms occur when a muscle involuntarily contracts. Angina refers to a type of pain that occurs when part of your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen.

  1. Causes

    • Muscle spasms can be caused by several things, including overuse of a muscle and dehydration. Both muscle spasms and angina can be caused by a narrowing of the arteries.

    Symptoms

    • One symptom of muscle spasms is a twitching of the muscle, which may last for a few seconds or may be recurrent. Symptoms of angina include burning in the chest, pain in the back or arms, and fatigue.

    Diagnosis

    • Doctors can diagnose muscle spasms and angina with blood tests. Muscle spasms can also be diagnosed through physical examination or electromyography, while angina can be diagnosed through an EKG, stress test, or chest X-ray.

    Treatment

    • Both muscle spasms and angina can be treated with medications. Angina can also be treated with angioplasty.

    Prevention

    • The best way to prevent muscle spasms is to drink plenty of water, especially if you work or exercise in the heat. You can help prevent angina by making changes to your lifestyle, such as eating foods lower in fat and refraining from smoking.

Diseases - Related Articles