muscle spasms are
most common
in the thighs, calves, feet, hands, arms and abdomen.
why do muscle spasms occur?
muscle spasms are
often caused by
dehydration, muscle fatigue, exercising in the heat, too much high-intensity exercise or a lack of stretching.
according to
harvard medical school
, spasms can also happen when the muscles aren’t allowed to relax properly, when irritated by a buildup of lactic acid, or due to reduced blood flow from a narrowing of the arteries. reduced blood flow in the legs, in particular, can be a sign of an underlying health condition such as
atherosclerosis
.
a lack of minerals such as potassium, calcium or magnesium are also a common culprit, while compression of the nerves in your spine can cause muscle spasms to occur in the neck and legs.
the toes are a notorious spot for cramping and spasms. usually, the
toe cramps
are due to poor circulation, possibly combined with other factors such as dehydration or ill-fitting footwear. however, joint or nerve damage could also be responsible for your toe twitch. twitching muscles can also be a symptom of many
central nervous system conditions
such as als and parkinson’s.
what are the risk factors?
interestingly, risk factors for muscle spasms include both not exercising enough and exercising too vigorously. a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to a higher risk of muscle spasms — the
cleveland clinic
lists sitting improperly and for long periods of time and as possible causes. people who carry extra weight have more stress on their muscles and are at a higher risk for experiencing muscle cramps. same with older people — we lose muscle mass we age which makes the muscles susceptible to spasming.