What makes your bicep twitch

The two incidents are often conflated with each other, but have different causes and different symptoms. Spasms are rather violent contractions that impact an entire muscle group, which for the biceps in a given arm would include the entire biceps area. A twitch is more localized and less pronounced, often with more subtle visual activation. For the biceps, this would include the involuntary activation of one of the biceps heads, for example.

Muscle spasms in the arm are often caused by heavy, repeated exercise that concentrates on compressing a particular muscle group. For the biceps, isolating exercises like standing or seated curls using heavy weights and multiple repetitions may induce spasms during a workout, immediately following it, or up to several hours later.

Dehydration may also induce muscle spasms overall, but not specifically within the biceps. Twitching can also be caused by intense exercise, but it need not be. Other causes include excess caffeine or alcohol consumption, anxiousness or a magnesium deficiency. Bicep spasms are often isolated events that dissipate soon after your workout, but the onset of them can be reduced or even eliminated by stretches that lengthen the biceps. One good way to do this is to follow each set of biceps curls with a set of triceps extensions.

High temperatures can also contribute to this. Dehydration and the loss of electrolytes through stress can also make muscles hyperexcitable, leading to muscle twitching. Neurological problems can also trigger biceps muscle twitches. Damage to the nerves that supply the biceps is one potential cause. Other diseases that affect multiple motor neurons, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and spinal muscle atrophy, could also lead to twitching of the biceps.

If these diseases are the cause, the biceps may become weak and atrophied, and other muscles may also be affected. In addition, autoimmune disorders such as Isaac syndrome could also cause biceps muscle twitching.

Biceps twitches can also be a side effect of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, diuretics or synthetic estrogens.

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.