What condition does muscle twitching during sleep indicate?
Disease description:
I’ve reached a certain age, and my nighttime sleep has become less restful. Recently, however, I’ve noticed frequent leg cramps during the night. What condition might this indicate?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Jun
Sleep-related muscle twitches (hypnic jerks) may be caused by calcium deficiency, which can increase neuromuscular excitability and lead to muscle spasms or twitching during sleep. Appropriate calcium supplementation may help alleviate these symptoms. Alternatively, such twitching could stem from cerebrovascular disorders—for instance, intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction. In these cases, stimulation of brain tissue during sleep may trigger abnormal electrical discharges, potentially resulting in nocturnal twitching or seizures.
