Twitching

The sudden and involuntary contraction of the muscle is defined as a twitch and the phenomenon is called twitching, as it usually affects voluntary muscles. Through generally passing unnoticed by other people, very slight or mild twitches are very obvious to the affected person. Muscle fatigue especially after strenuous exercise usually brings on bouts of twitching and involuntary jerks and many people commonly feel these in the normal course of a life. Also comparable are the twitches experienced during sleep, which in general affect several or many muscular groups simultaneously. Very common as well are the twitching of muscles in the eyelids.

Some symptoms are not considered severe or serious and fade with time, and growth these include involuntary movements of the facial muscles, commonly experienced due to a nervous reaction by children, these are very common and are considered benign if other symptoms are not present along with them. The severity and seriousness of muscular twitches increases if other signs of a nervous system disorder are present in the afflicted individual. The diagnosis and the examination of a neurologist are of the essence in such cases, and a long period of treatment is usually required.

The offloading of excessive nervous impulses from an overworked nervous system are the common reasons for the occurrence of muscular twitching in a person. Psychological and emotional stress and strain is the typical reason for the nervous system to be overwrought. If accompanied by severe facial pain, twitching is typically due to a facial neuralgia in most adults who are afflicted with muscular disorders. A case in point is the development in childhood, of muscular disorders and twitches commonly termed tics, concomitant with a complex nervous system dysfunction, which gradually develops into abrupt and sudden involuntary actions, such as shouting, shrugging of the shoulders or stamping movements so characteristic of the disorder known as Tourette's syndrome.

While not the dominating symptoms of the disorder, twitching and grimacing are also typically experienced during the occurrence of Parkinson's disease. Compared to this the other symptoms in addition to the involuntary movement of the muscles are indicative of Huntington's chorea, these include specific psychological states of apathy, irritability and manic states, which become evident during the onset of the disease.

Supplements and herbs

The essential dietary minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium are needed as components in maintaining the proper functioning of the neuromuscular system as well as in muscle function. Cramping in the muscles, twitching or tics can result from the deficiency in the body of any of these minerals. The reaction of the nervous system is calmed down and subdued by adding the B vitamins, these act by way of lowering the stress levels in the body, which are often responsible for triggering the trembling and tremors in the musculature. The sublingual form of the vitamin B12 is to be preferred over the tablet form, which may not be properly absorbed in the intestinal tract. The normal growth of muscle, its ability to contract and the inhibition of muscle cramps are all controlled by the mineral calcium to a great extent and this mineral must be included in the diet.

All types of nervous system disorders can be treated effectively through the use of herbs and herbal supplements.

The sedative like action of herbs such as the chamomile, the lady's slipper, the common hops, the leaves of the passion flower, the skullcap, the wood betony, the roots of the St. John's wort or valerian can be utilized to great effect in the alleviation of nervous disorders, these herbs can be taken together or singly in the form of herbal teas, in the form of tinctures or tablets without the fear of side effects. A tbsp. of the herbs can be steeped in a cup of boiling water to make the tea, or if preferred, about twenty drops of tincture mixed in a glass of water or other juices can be used on a regular and daily basis for the treatment of the condition.

What else you can do

Twitching in the musculature, and other signs of neurological distress and irritation are often evident when there is an accumulation or excess of metals like mercury, lead, aluminum or cadmium and other toxic heavy metals, even metals like copper can lead to neurological problems if present in excessive quantities. The contamination of the body with heavy and toxic metals can be verified through the mineral analysis of the hair of the affected individual in a laboratory.

Usual dosage

• Vitamin B12, 100 mcg
• Vitamin B complex, 50 mg thrice a day
• Magnesium, 500 mg
• Calcium, 1,000 mg