Involuntary muscle movements are sudden and not under control of a person. It can occur anywhere in the body including hands, legs, eyelids, face, lips, fingers, toes etc. Also known as muscle twitching, these minor muscle contractions often remain unnoticed. However, with an increase in its intensity you can feel them.
Most involuntary muscle contractions are painless and they subside within few seconds or minutes. But in some cases it lasts for a longer period and gradually become worse. Involuntary muscle movements are harmless, except some time when they interfere in daily work.
The underlying cause can be nerve damage, lack of nutrition, muscle stress, deprived sleep etc. In majority of cases simple natural remedies are effective in controlling involuntary muscle movements, rarely conventional medicines may be required to cure the condition.
What Can Cause Involuntary Muscle Movements?
Involuntary muscle movement can occur at any age, but it is more common in adults. Males and females are equally affected with this condition.
- Emotional stress and anxiety.
- Too much intake of caffeinated drinks.
- Vitamin B complex deficiency.
- Body dehydration due to diarrhea, vomiting, reduced intake of fluids, perspiration etc.
- Imbalance of electrolyte in the body.
- Pinched nerve.
- Sleep deprivation.
- Adverse effect of certain medicines.
- Intense exercise.
- Too much reading or strain to eyes can cause twitching of eye muscles.
Certain medical conditions can also produce visible involuntary muscle movements:
- Stroke
- Brain tumor
- Injury to brain
- Syphilis
- Thyroid disease
- Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative disorders.
- Genetic disease such as Wilson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
Natural Remedies For Involuntary Muscle Movements
Majority cases of involuntary muscle movements can be treated with home remedies and simple life style change. But at the same time if the movements are continuous or occur frequently, effort should be made to find the underlying cause that triggers it.
Here are few important tips to manage involuntary muscle movement:
- If the underlying cause is detected to be emotional stress and strain, relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation are beneficial.
- Too much of caffeinated drink is often blamed to be the reason. If that is so, try to limit your coffee, tea, and other products that are loaded with caffeine.
- Drink enough water, fruit juices, soups etc if you are an athlete or a sports person. Dehydration is common issue in them as much of body fluid is lost while playing or exercising. Replenish the lost fluid with proper intake of water and other drinks.
- Take vitamin supplements if vitamin deficiency is the cause. Also eat foods that are rich source of vitamins. Vegetables, fruits, egg, lean meat, sea food are rich source of these vitamins.
- Sleep for 7 to 8 hours in day. It is effective in reducing involuntary muscular movements.
- Massage and daily exercise such as walking or swimming is also beneficial for treating frequent muscle twitching.
- Avoid over straining your eyes if you experience frequent twitching of eyelids.