what causes my legs to jerk when i sit down

Almost of the time, muscles do not move unless the brain signals for them to practice so. Nevertheless, these signals sometimes get mixed up. The botch may occur in the encephalon, the nerves that send the signals, or the muscles that receive them.

When signal misfires occur, the muscles can motion involuntarily, which people usually refer to equally a twitch. Twitching is the result of the sudden contraction or release of a musculus. Doctors may use the term "myoclonus" to draw these fast, involuntary twitches.

In this article, we outline the types of muscle twitches that may occur in the legs and how they might feel. We also listing some possible causes of leg twitches, along with information on how doctors diagnose and treat them.

a man holding the back of his leg because he is experiencing twitching there — A person may feel other symptoms alongside leg twitching, depending on its cause.

There are two basic types of sudden muscle twitching: physiologic myoclonus and pathologic myoclonus.

Physiologic myoclonus

Physiologic myoclonus tin can affect people with a good wellness condition, and it unremarkably does non require treatment. Examples of physiologic myoclonus include:

hiccuping
leg twitching when falling comatose
physiologic startle responses

Pathologic myoclonus

Pathologic myoclonus refers to myoclonus that is either a symptom of an underlying medical condition or a reaction to a particular medication.

Pathologic myoclonus can involve persistent muscle contractions that may bear upon an entire group of muscles or muscles in different parts of the body. Severe cases may touch on a person'south movement and mobility.

A person who develops a twitch in their leg usually notices when information technology is happening. The twitches may be irritating, merely they are not usually painful.

Even so, musculus twitches in the legs can sometimes trigger musculus cramps. Cramps are very common, affecting roughly threescore% of adults from time to time.

Depending on the cause of the leg twitching, a person may experience boosted symptoms, such as:

tingling
itching
called-for
throbbing
crawling or fizzing sensations
musculus spasms in the affected expanse
a feeling similar to a shudder rippling through the torso

It is very mutual for people to experience occasional bouts of leg twitching. We outline ii common causes of leg twitching below.

Benign fasciculations

The medical term for repetitive involuntary muscle twitching is benign fasciculation. It affects about seventy% of the general population and is rarely associated with serious nervous system disorders.

Some possible causes of benign fasciculations in generally good for you people include:

stress or anxiety
concrete exhaustion and lack of sleep
overconsumption of alcohol, or booze withdrawal
overconsumption of caffeine, or caffeine withdrawal
low blood sugar
dehydration
nutrient imbalance
hormone imbalance
use of sure medications

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a status in which a person experiences uncomfortable sensations in their legs. An irresistible urge to move the legs oft accompanies the sensations.

Well-nigh 80% of people who accept RLS likewise experience leg twitching while they slumber. The medical term for this is periodic limb movements of sleep.

Restless leg syndrome is common, affecting up to one in 10 people at some bespeak in their lives.

A doctor will typically diagnose the cause of leg twitching by:

taking a complete medical history
gathering specific information almost the twitching, such as:
- where it happens and how long it lasts
- whether information technology affects other parts of the body
- when information technology happens
looking for signs of toxicity due to:
- medication use
- illicit drug use
- environmental hazards

In some cases, a doctor may order one or more of the post-obit diagnostic tests:

Electromyography (EMG): A test that records electrical activity in the skeletal muscles. Doctors use EMG to assess the status of the muscles and the fretfulness that innervate them.
Electroencephalogram: A exam that detects and records electric activity in the brain.
MRI scan: A medical imaging examination that allows the doctor to view fretfulness and other soft tissues within the body. It can also help them detect lesions that may exist the cause of involuntary twitching.
Blood tests: Certain claret tests could help identify underlying medical conditions that may be responsible for the symptoms.

People who experience occasional leg twitching may be able to manage the condition by making certain lifestyle changes. Examples include:

staying well-hydrated
eating a healthful, counterbalanced diet
cutting down on stimulants, such as caffeine and booze
quitting smoking, if applicable
exercising regularly
stretching and massaging the legs gently
getting plenty of rest

People who suspect that their leg twitching is due to a medication should not stop taking it unless their physician advises them to do and then.

If leg twitching is due to an underlying medical condition, treating the condition should assistance reduce the frequency of the twitching, its severity, or both.

Nigh of the fourth dimension, leg twitching is a response to specific circumstances, such as exhaustion, dehydration, or the utilise of stimulants, such every bit caffeine or alcohol.

However, twitching tin can also be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition. People should see a doctor if the:

leg twitches exercise not get better following appropriate lifestyle changes
leg twitches persist for more than than 2 weeks
twitching starts when the person is resting
twitching begins later the person starts taking a new medication
twitching affects more than one part of the torso
twitching occurs alongside any of the following symptoms:
- fever
- headaches
- nausea
- airsickness
- weakness

Leg twitching is a common symptom that is most oftentimes due to lifestyle factors, such every bit overexertion, dehydration, or overuse of stimulants. It unremarkably gets better following appropriate lifestyle changes.

However, twitching can sometimes exist a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition, such equally a nervous system disorder. A person should encounter a doctor if their leg twitching persists, worsens, or occurs aslope other worrying symptoms.