Weight Loss and Muscle Twitching

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Muscle twitches can be the result of various factors, weight loss being one of them. Although weight loss does not directly cause muscle twitches, several by-products of losing weight can cause these muscular contractions to occur, including sweating and the overuse of muscles.

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Muscle Twitches

Muscle twitches are involuntary muscular contractions that are visible under the skin. A muscle twitch is usually harmless, with no medical treatment needed usually. According to the National Institutes of Health, these twitches are common and often go unnoticed.

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Causes of Muscle Twitches

Muscle twitches are often the result of overuse of muscles, use of diuretics, stress, dehydration, and a lack of minerals or electrolytes. Muscle twitches often occur in the eyelids, calves or thumbs and are often brought on by stress. Benign twitches can be common and last for a few days at a time.

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Weight Loss

Weight loss can cause your muscles to twitch. Weight loss resulting from exercise, for example, can cause a lot of electrolyte minerals, such as potassium and sodium, to be lost through sweating. This can adversely affect the electrical impulses in the body and lead to muscular twitches.

Remedies

According to Mineral Resources International, muscle twitches can be alleviated by consuming electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and magnesium. Sodium is found in salt, which is easily lost through sweating, so it is important to replace sodium levels after heavy exercise. Potassium is found in various foods such as bananas, citrus fruits, avocados, tomatoes and beans. Magnesium can be found in legumes, whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

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Other Causes

Some muscle-twitching causes can be serious and must be brought to the attention of a medical practitioner. For example, nerve damage can cause involuntary muscle twitches. These can also be caused by muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy and weak muscles (myopathy). Symptoms of these conditions include loss of sensation, muscle loss and muscle weakness. If your muscle twitches persist, consult your doctor.

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