There are a number of diseases that cause muscle spasms. Some of these diseases that cause muscle twitching are discussed in the following article.

We never think too much of a temporary muscle spasm or cramp. These muscle spasms occur due to a number of reasons. These include vitamin or mineral deficiency, overworked or over fatigued muscles, stress, strain and even cold temperatures. There are many diseases that cause muscle spasms as well. These medical conditions that cause muscle twitching and pain are discussed below.

Diseases Causing Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasms or muscle twitching occurs when a muscle forcibly undergoes contraction and is unable to relax. When muscle or even few muscle fibers contract involuntarily, it causes a spasm. When these spasms are sustained for long, it results in a muscle cramp. You may observe the visible muscle twitching or hardening of the muscle. Diseases that cause muscle pain and spasms are as follows:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a condition that is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This condition causes twitching and weakness in the muscles of the arm and leg. It further causes slurred speech and reduces the ability of the person to swallow food, move and even breath. As the disease progresses, it causes paralysis of the muscles.

Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is a condition that is said to be hereditary in nature. It causes progressive skeletal muscle weakness, changes in muscle proteins and finally death of the muscles and tissues. There are 9 muscle diseases that fall under the group of muscular dystrophy. These diseases cause muscle atrophy, wasting, weakness, and cramps. As the disease progress, the patients lose their ability to walk.

Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that leads to pain and numbness in the hands and feet. This disease is caused by nerve damage due to injuries, infections, metabolic problems, toxin exposure, etc. This is one of the diseases that causes muscle pain. If the underlying cause is treated, the symptoms of this disease will show improvement.

Huntington's Disease
The genetic disease that occurs due to changes in a single gene resulting in a terminal brain disorder is Huntington's disease. This genetic changes causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. Thus, resulting in movement, thought and psychiatric problems. The symptoms of Huntington's disease include muscle twitching, spasms, memory problems, decrease in concentration, problems with decision-making, depression, mood swings, etc. At present, there is no treatment to cure this debilitating disease.

Wilson's Disease
One of the diseases that causes muscle twitching is Wilson's disease. This is an inherited disorder and also known as hepatolenticular degeneration. It causes accumulation of excess copper in the liver, brain and other vital organs of the body. Copper is required in minute levels for development of the nerves, collagen, bones and melanin. If copper is in excess, it is excreted out of the system by liver. However, when copper is not thrown out of the body, it begins to accumulate leading to high levels within the body. Thus, leading to depression, problems while speaking, difficulty in swallowing, joint pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, drooling, muscle twitching, jaundice, swelling on arms and legs, skin rash, etc. If left untreated, it could prove to be fatal.

Tourette's Syndrome
Another disease that causes muscle spasms, Tourette's syndrome. It is a neurological disorder that is exhibited during early childhood and adolescence. It causes characteristic muscle tics and spasms. The early symptoms of this disease include rapid spasms of the face, trunk muscles and extremities.

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome causes pain and tenderness in the jaw. This joint is the one that helps one talk, chew and yawn. This disorder occurs due to changes in the disc alignment of the joint, or damage of cartilage due to arthritis, clenching or grinding of teeth habitually, etc. It causes difficulty to chew, aches in the facial muscles, headache, clicking noise from the jaw, and sometimes muscle spasms around the jaw and cheeks.

If one suffers from chronic muscle spasms, they should speak to a doctor. There are many diseases that can cause muscle spasms, and they should not be overlooked. Prompt diagnosis will help prevent these muscular diseases from turning into a major complication.