What causes your muscles to twitch? Muscle twitches are caused
by our muscles tightening up ("contracting") involuntarily — in
other words, when we're not actually controlling them. Muscle
twitches can happen for lots of reasons, like stress, too much
caffeine, a poor diet, exercise, or as a side effect of some
medications. Lots of people get twitches in the eyelid, thumb,
or calf muscles. These types of twitches usually go away after a
few days. They're often related to stress or anxiety. Although
most twitches go away in a few days and are nothing to worry
about, some twitches can be caused by nerve problems or other
medical conditions. Let your doctor know if: Getting enough
sleep, avoiding too much caffeine, and eating healthy foods
(like lots of fruits and vegetables), can help prevent some
muscle twitches. They're also good ways to stay healthy overall!
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD Date reviewed: November 2010
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Note: All
information is for educational