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Are twitching muscles a symptom of multiple sclerosis? & bull; hello healthy

Are twitching muscles a symptom of multiple sclerosis? & bull; hello healthy

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Almost everyone has experienced twitching, whether we realize it or not. Twitching can be caused by nervousness, anxiety, or stress. Twitching muscles can also indicate that you are tired or dehydrated. In most cases, muscle twitches go away on their own. However, muscle twitching can be a symptom of a neurological disease. Are twitching muscles a symptom of multiple sclerosis?

Why do muscles twitch?

The central nervous system serves as the command center for communication in the human body, including controlling movement and muscle contraction. When there is damage or over-stimulation of motor neuron cells, the brain can command the nerves in the limbs (fingers, arms, or calves) to contract repeatedly and uncontrollably. This is called a twitch. Twitching can also occur in the muscles of the face and eyelids.

Are twitching muscles a symptom of multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is an immune system disease that affects the nerve cells of the brain and spine. Inflammation causes the work of myelin (fibers that protect nerves) to be disrupted and ultimately interfere with nerve signals. One of the symptoms of multiple sclerosis is muscle stiffness and spasms, especially in the leg muscles.

But to answer the questions above, it all depends on the type of twitch itself. There are three types of muscle twitching, namely fasciculation, spasm, and clonus. Fasciculation is a type of twitch that is not associated with multiple sclerosis, while spasm and clonus may be associated with the disease. Then, what's the difference between the three?

The different causes of twitching are the symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

Fasciculation is uncontrolled muscle movement due to a disruption in the lower motor neuron cells that send nerve signals from the spinal cord to the muscles. Movement of the lower motor neurons controls the arms, legs, chest, face, throat and tongue.

Fasciculation is a symptom of neurodegenerative diseases (diseases caused by aging that attack the central nervous system) such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition, fasciculation is also a symptom of postapolio syndrome, spinal muscle atrophy, and progressive muscle atrophy.

Multiple sclerosis rarely affects lower motor neurons. That is why fasciculation is not a symptom of multiple sclerosis. However, advanced multiple sclerosis can sometimes affect the lower motor neurons, causing muscle twitching - although this is rare.

Meanwhile, spasm (spasitisity) and clonus are common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Spasms occur when there is a disruption in the signal between the upper and lower motor neurons, causing the leg muscles to become stiff. Legs or hands become more difficult to move, the movement slows down. Spasticity also causes the knee and ankle jerk response to be overactive. Over time, the ability to control movement may be lost.

Similar to spasticity, clonus also causes jerky muscle movements. For example, when the doctor taps your knee to observe the knee's response to stimulation, the knee will be able to show a rapid response. In some more severe cases the clonus can cause the muscles to become more hyperactive, by vibrating rhythmically and uncontrollably.

Are twitching muscles a symptom of multiple sclerosis? & bull; hello healthy

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