View source for Spasm

{{short description|Involuntary contraction of a muscle, organ or orifice}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Spasmodic|the British literary movement|Spasmodic poets}}
{{Distinguish|Cramp|Seizure}}
{{refimprove|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
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A '''spasm''' is a sudden involuntary [[Muscle contraction|contraction]] of a [[Skeletal muscle|muscle]],<ref>{{cite book |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=[[Dorland's medical reference works]] }}</ref> a group of muscles, or a hollow [[Organ (biology)|organ]], such as the bladder.

A spasmodic muscle contraction may be caused by many medical conditions, including [[dystonia]]. Most commonly, it is a [[Cramp|muscle cramp]] which is accompanied by a sudden burst of pain. A muscle cramp is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes. It is typically caused by [[Electrolyte imbalance|ion imbalance]] or [[muscle fatigue]].

There are other causes of involuntary muscle contractions, and some of these may cause a [[Disease|health problem]].

A series of spasms, or permanent spasms, is referred to as a "spasmism".

==Description and causes==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2024}}

Spasms occur when the part of the brain that controls movement malfunctions, causing involuntary muscle activity.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dystonia/ | title=Dystonia | date=23 October 2017 }}</ref> 

A spasm may be a muscle contraction caused by abnormal nerve stimulation or by abnormal activity of the muscle itself.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

===Causes===
The cause of spasms is often unknown, but it can be due to an inherited genetic problem, a side effect of medications, [[Parkinson's disease]], a [[stroke]], [[cerebral palsy]] or [[multiple sclerosis]].<ref name="auto"/>

Old age can also cause spasms and cramp.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Muscle Cramps & Spasms |url=https://muschealth.org/medical-services/geriatrics-and-aging/healthy-aging/cramps-and-spasms |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=muschealth.org |language=en-us}}</ref>

Spasms can occur in [[dystonia]], and in [[spasticity]].

===Effects===
A spasm may lead to muscle strains or tears in [[tendons]] and [[ligaments]] if the force of the spasm exceeds the tensile strength of the underlying connective tissue. This can occur with a particularly strong spasm or with weakened connective tissue.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

===Types of spasm===
A [[Hypertonia|hypertonic muscle spasm]] is a condition of chronic, excessive [[muscle tone]] (i.e., tension in a resting muscle). This is the amount of contraction that remains when a muscle is not working. A true [[Tonicity|hypertonic spasm]] is caused by malfunctioning feedback nerves. This is much more serious and is permanent unless treated. In this case, the hypertonic muscle tone is excessive, and the muscles are unable to relax.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Hypertonic Muscle Spasms |url=https://neurosomatherapy.com/information/about-hypertonic-muscle-spasms/}}</ref>

A subtype of spasm is [[colic]]. This is an episodic pain caused by spasm of [[smooth muscle]] in a particular organ (e.g., the [[bile duct]]). A characteristic of colic is the sensation of having to move about, and the pain may induce [[nausea]] or [[vomiting]].{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

==See also==
{{div col}}
* [[Antispasmodic]]
* [[Blepharospasm]]
* [[Cadaveric spasm]]
* [[Convulsion]]
* [[Cramp]]
* [[Cricopharyngeal spasm]]
* [[Ejaculation]]
* [[Epileptic seizure]]
* [[Jactitation (medicine)]]
* [[Myoclonus]]
* [[Neck spasm]]
* [[Orgasm]]
* [[Spasmodic dysphonia]]
* [[Spasticity]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
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==External links==
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{{wiktionary|spasm}}
* [https://www.medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003193.htm NIH Medical Encyclopedia]
* [http://health.howstuffworks.com/question223.htm How Stuff Works]
* {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Spasm|short=x}}

{{Nervous and musculoskeletal system symptoms and signs}}
{{Myopathy}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Symptoms and signs: Nervous and musculoskeletal systems]]