Muscle fatigue and muscle twitching may occur simultaneously or separately after exercising. A number of factors must be taken into consideration to prevent and treat the conditions. Most muscle abnormalities are not serious and will respond well to rest. However, continued discomfort should be brought to your doctor's attention for evaluation.
Causes
Muscle twitching and muscle weakness typically are caused by varying factors and require different treatments. Some chronic medical conditions such as muscular dystrophy often present both symptoms. Twitching can result from drugs or excessive amounts of caffeine, anxiety, deficiencies in the diet or muscle overuse from exercise. While overuse can cause muscle weakness as well, other causes of fatigue can include low sodium levels, anemia or sickness. Chronic conditions associated with muscle weakness include Addison's disease, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.
Effects
Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS, which stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a condition that first appears with twitching muscles and weakness in the arms before, during and after exercise. Slurred speech commonly occurs when the disease first strikes. Muscle weakness spreads to the legs when patients have trouble lifting their feet and develop foot drop, making walking and other exercise unbearable. Muscle weakness, cramps and twitching continue to worsen and affect facial muscles, arms, tongue and shoulders. About five to 10 percent of the ALS cases are attributed to genetics, but there is no known cause of this disease that leads to death.
Prevention
To prevent the twitching that occurs from overusing muscles, you can take precautions such as appropriate stretching and stopping exercise when you feel the first twinges of twitching. When lifting heavy weights, you should pay particular attention to the twitches that can lead to muscle failure and cause you to drop a weight and possibly cause a serious injury. Fluid intake also is vital to prevent dehydration that leads to muscle weakness and twitching. If you wait until you're thirsty to drink, you already have become dehydrated and are at risk of developing fatigue and muscle dysfunction.
Warning
Persistent, long-term muscle twitching can be a sign of a serious medical condition. The symptoms can signal early signs of thyroid gland disorders or a pinched nerve. Extreme electrolyte imbalances also can cause muscle fatigue and twitching and must be addressed. If muscle weakness is accompanied by a fever, it could be a sign of an infection that has traveled through your body.
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