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Reasons for Muscle Spasms

A muscle spasm occurs when a muscle contracts on its own without the person sending a message to use that muscle. Muscle spasms come out of nowhere and are normally very brief but are also very painful. Some muscle spasms occur just because of the way a person treats her body. Some people might work too much or not have the proper diet. Some muscle spasms are more serious and can be a symptom of a much worse disease.

  1. Movement

    • Some spasms can occur simply by movement of the muscle. A sudden movement could cause a muscle to spasm. Overuse of a muscle can cause a spasm. Overextending a muscle can cause a spasm. One way to avoid muscle spasms is to be sure to exercise. If a certain part of the body has a spasm, find an exercise that specifically works that muscle.

    Dehydration

    • One of the main reasons people are told to drink water or some sort of sports energy drink when they run is to avoid muscle spasms. Muscle spasms can occur when the body does not have enough salts or electrolytes. Dehydration is one of the most common ways to lose salts and electrolytes. These minerals can be replenished by drinking water or sports energy drinks. A combination of exercising and diet could also lead to the loss of the same minerals. Be sure to drink a lot of water and eat fruits and vegetables because they help replace these minerals as well.

    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a genetic disease that can lead to muscle spasms. ALS attacks the nerve cells in the body and once these nerve cells start to waste away, the body will no longer be able to control the muscles those nerve cells belong to. ALS can lead to the weakening of muscles, twitching and spasms of muscles or even complete paralysis.

    Hypocalcemia

    • Hypocalcemia occurs when someone does not have enough calcium in their body. Calcium is used for many functions in the body, such as blood coagulation, membrane stability, bone structure and neural transmission. A lack of calcium will have a negative affect on a person's bones, blood and nerves. The irritation to the nerves will cause twitching, spasms and cramps in the muscles.

    Chorea

    • Chorea is a disease that causes someone to have involuntary movements. A very mild case of chorea is hard to tell apart from normal restlessness. Symptoms include the twitching or spasm of muscles. Extreme cases of chorea will result in a person making very noticeable jerky motions with his arms or legs. Those with a bad case of chorea will also find it very difficult to walk.

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