What it means
Brief, often visible flickers under the skin, also called fasciculations when they are tiny. Most twitching is harmless and comes with tiredness, stress, caffeine or exercise. It can also come from electrolyte problems such as low calcium or low magnesium, some drugs, or diseases of the nerves.
For the nurse
Note where the twitching is, how often it happens and what else is going on, check recent electrolyte results, and report twitching that is new, spreading or comes with weakness or tingling.
At a glance
| Spanish | contracciones musculares involuntarias |
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Related terms
tremor
Shaking of a part of the body, such as the hands, in small rhythmic movements that the person cannot control.
hypocalcemia
A blood calcium level below normal.
tetany
Involuntary muscle cramps and spasms that come from nerves firing too easily.
hypomagnesemia
A blood magnesium level below normal.