Muscle Spasms (cont.)

How are muscle spasms diagnosed?

Most people have experienced a skeletal muscle spasm due to overexertion, especially in a warm environment and are able to self-diagnose. However, if the spasms are severe, last a long time, and keep recurring, the patient may present to a health-care professional for evaluation.

The diagnosis usually begins with a history and physical examination. It is helpful to know the circumstances surrounding the muscle spasms.

• When did they begin? How long do they last? How frequently do they come? Is it always the same area that is involved?



• Other information that is helpful includes whether there have been any recent illnesses, any medications, both prescription, over-the-counter and food supplements that are being taken.



• Past medical history may be reviewed including diabetes, hypothyroidism, and kidney disease.



• Work or exercise history may be of importance.

Since the muscle spasms do not reliably occur during the physical examination, the exam may useful in finding underlying medical issues that will be helpful in the diagnosis. For example, if the patient is complaining of leg muscle spasm, the examination may include palpating or feeling for pulses in the feet. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, may be associated with the loss of arterial pulse in the involved extremity.

For those having pain from smooth muscle spasm, the pain may be severe enough to present to an emergency department.. The history and physical examination will be directed to finding the source of the pain, while at the same time trying to control the symptoms. Kidney stone pain (renal colic) and gallbladder pain sometimes require narcotic pain medication and antinausea medication for relief.

For patients with recurrent muscle spasm where the cause is not easily diagnosed by history and physical examination, testing may be needed to give direction as to potential causes.

Blood tests may include a complete blood count (CBC) looking for anemia, electrolytes (especially sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium), glucose, and creatinine (to check for kidney function). Thyroid function tests may also be considered.

If there is concern that the spasms are due to a nerve or muscle disorder, electromyography (EMG) may be done to determine whether there may be an abnormality of the muscle, of the nerves, or both.

Next: How are muscle spasms treated? »

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