10 Causes of Muscle Spasms
- 1. 'Muscle Cramp.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Mar. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/muscle-cramp/symptoms-causes/syc-20350820.
- 2. Cleary, Michelle A, et al. 'Dehydration and Symptoms of Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness in Normothermic Men.' Journal of Athletic Training, National Athletic Trainers Association, 2006
- 3. Bengtsson, A. 'Muscle in Fibromyalgia.' OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 July 2002, academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/41/7/721/1788210.
- 4. Tardy, Anne-Laure, et al. 'Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence.' Nutrients, MDPI, 16 Jan. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019700/.
- 5. 'Muscle Weakness: 12 Causes and More.' Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325876.
- 6. Publishing, Harvard Health. 'Take That, Muscle Cramps!' Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/take-that-muscle-cramps.
- 7. 'Aging Changes in the Bones - Muscles - Joints: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004015.htm.
- 8. 'Stress Effects.' The American Institute of Stress, 16 June 2020, www.stress.org/stress-effects#body.
- 9. Addiss, Faith. 'Electrolytes - What Are They? What Happens If You Don't Have Enough?' Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/201808/electrolytes-what-are-they-what-happens-if-you-dont-have-enough.
- 10. 'Pinched Nerve in the Back: How to Tell, Causes, and Treatments.' Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/pinched-nerve-in-the-back#symptoms.
- 11. Publishing, Harvard Health. 'Is My Medication Causing These Side Effects, or Is It Just Aging?' Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/aging/is-my-medication-causing-these-side-effects-or-is-it-just-aging.
- 12. 'Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid).' UCLA Endocrine Center, www.uclahealth.org/endocrine-center/hypothyroidism.
- 13. 'Dystonia.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 25 Apr. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dystonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20350480.
8. Medications
Some medications can cause muscle spasms. The most typical prescriptions that cause cramps are statins that control cholesterol levels. The most common are atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor). Research shows 10 to 20 percent of patients taking these drugs experience muscle cramping.11Publishing, Harvard Health. ‘Is My Medication Causing These Side Effects, or Is It Just Aging?’ Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/aging/is-my-medication-causing-these-side-effects-or-is-it-just-aging.
Several medications are available to try for these conditions. A physician may be able to change the brand or dose of the statin to reduce or eliminate muscle spasms. Supplementing with CoQ10 also helps.
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