Spasm: Spasm is listed as an alternate name or description for symptom:
Causes of Spasms (Spasm): See detailed list of causes below.
Medical Book Extracts related to Spasms (Spasm): Refer to the excerpt book sections about Spasms below.
Spasms (medical symptom): Involuntary muscle movements without full control.
Spasms (medical symptom): A spasm is an involuntary movement of a muscle. Twitches or tics are examples of small-scale spasms. A full body spasm is known as a seizure (or fit). Fine body shaking or trembling, often in the hands, is known as tremor. All involuntary movement needs medical diagnosis.
The list of medical condition causes of Spasms (Spasm) includes:
Review the causes of the following types of more specific symptoms for Spasm:
Research the causes of these related symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Spasm:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are more broader types of symptom than Spasm:
For a medical symptom description of 'Spasm', the following symptom information may be relevant to the symptoms: Spasms (symptom). However, note that other causes of the symptom 'Spasm' may be possible.
More information on symptom: Spasms:
Spasm: Spasm is listed as an alternate name or description for Muscle spasm. For a medical symptom description of 'Spasm', the following disease information may be relevant to the symptoms: Muscle spasm (disease information). However, numerous other possible causes of the symptom may be possible.
Spasm (medical condition): A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ, or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice.
More information on medical condition: Muscle spasm:
Free access to excerpts from published medical book extracts about the causes and diagnosis of Spasms from the following published medical books is available for more detailed information that is related to Spasm.
... When does the tremor occur? Intention tremor, which means that the tremor occurs on movement, would suggest that the patient is suffering from a ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Chorea (Greek for “dance”) refers to continuous, rapid, and abrupt jerking movements, which are involuntary and often possess a writhing quality. These movements... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Seizures are a symptom of some identifiable underlying cause or are idiopathic. Epilepsy is recurrent unprovoked seizures. Seizures may or may not be associated with convulsive activity. Correct classification of the seizure... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Tremors are abnormal, rhythmic, involuntary movements. They are classified as resting and intention or action tremors, the former occurring at rest (resting tremor) or in a static... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Chorea consists of brief, irregular, nonrhythmic, unsustained involuntary movements that flow from one part of the body to another. Chorea is often accompanied by athetosis, which are slow, writhing, involuntary movements... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Febrile seizures occur in 3–4% of all children; they often do not require long-term treatment. Each year, between 25,000 and 40,000 children in the U.S. have a first unprovoked afebrile seizure. Most... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Seizures in the newborn are often difficult to diagnose, because there may only be subtle manifestations. Any insult that affects the brain in this age group can present with seizures, thus the differential diagnosis... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The causes of this symptom lend themselves easily to recall. Simply remember the word VINDICATE. There are usually just one or two diseases for each letter. V—Vascular suggests an infarct of the subthalamic ... READ EXCERPTS »
... This sign is generally considered pathognomonic for anterior horn cell or root disease. It may occur, however, in certain cases of peripheral neuropathy, in electrolyte disturbances, and in myasthenia gravis, especially ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The differential diagnosis of this sign is similar to the differential diagnosis of tremors (see page 521), but a few additional possibilities should be kept in mind. Idiopathic myoclonus epilepsy, petit mal epilepsy (with the ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Anatomy can assist one greatly in formulating a differential diagnosis of tremor of hepatic coma, Wilson disease, and alcoholism. The thyroid brings to mind the tremor of Graves disease. The ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Fasciculations are local muscle contractions representing the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle innervated by a single motor nerve filament. These contractions cause visible... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Myoclonus — sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group — occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald the onset of a seizure. These contractions may be isolated or repetitive,... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The most common type of involuntary muscle movement, tremors are regular rhythmic oscillations that result from alternating contraction of opposing muscle groups. They’re typical signs of... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Detected by palpation, abdominal rigidity refers to abnormal muscle tension or inflexibility of the abdomen. Rigidity may be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary rigidity reflects the patient’s fear or nervousness upon... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle, but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm, page 126.) It's an important sign of tetany, a potentially life-threatening condition... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A bilateral, coarse movement, asterixis is characterized by sudden relaxation of muscle groups holding a sustained posture. This elicited sign is most commonly observed in the wrists and... Emergency interventions ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness — usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but their incidence usually increases... History ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system neurons, leading to neurologic... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC). The type and pattern reflect... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Central Nervous System and Vascular Causes Cerebrovascular disease Thrombosis Embolism ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Tremor at rest (present at rest, decreased with movement) Parkinson's disease Postencephalitic parkinsonism ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Fasciculations are local muscle contractions representing the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle innervated by a single motor nerve filament. These contractions cause visible... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Myoclonus—sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group—occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald onset of a seizure. These contractions may be... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The most common type of involuntary muscle movement, tremors are regular rhythmic oscillations that result from alternating contraction of opposing muscle groups. They’re... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Detected by palpation, abdominal rigidity refers to abnormal muscle tension or inflexibility of the abdomen. Rigidity may be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary rigidity reflects the patient’s fear or nervousness upon... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after exercise, and... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm.) It’s an important sign of tetany, a potentially... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A bilateral, coarse movement, asterixis is characterized by sudden relaxation of muscle groups holding a sustained posture. This elicited sign is most commonly observed in the wrists and fingers but may also... Emergency interventions ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Chorea—brief, unpredictable bursts of rapid, jerky motion that interrupt normal coordinated movement—indicates dysfunction of the extrapyramidal system. Unlike... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times a day, causing periods of... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Patient counseling ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness—usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC). The type... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Linda M. Savory Seizures are a common serious neurologic disorder in the outpatient setting. In the United States, approximately 4 million patients suffer... Approach. ... History. ... Physical examination (PE) ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment. ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Peter G. Teichman Tremor, a rhythmic, involuntary oscillatory movement of a body part, is the most common movement disorder. Approach. It is important to classify the tremor based on... History ... Physical examination. ... Testing. ... Diagnostic assessment. ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Differential Overview ❑ Generalized (grand mal) ❑ Partial (focal) ❑ Complex... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Differential Overview Tremor ❑ Anxiety ❑ Physiologic tremor &... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Fasciculations are local muscle contractions representing the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle innervated by a single motor nerve filament. These contractions cause... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Myoclonus — sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group — occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald onset of a seizure. These contractions may be isolated or repetitive... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm, page 70.) It’s an important sign of tetany, a... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Chorea — brief, unpredictable bursts of rapid, jerky motion that interrupt normal coordinated movement — indicates dysfunction of the extrapyramidal system. Unlike tics, choreiform movements are... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Myoclonus — sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group — occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald onset of a seizure. These contractions may be isolated or... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The most common type of involuntary muscle movement, tremors are regular rhythmic oscillations that result from alternating contraction of opposing muscle groups. They’re typical... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm.) It’s an important sign of tetany, a potentially... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Muscle spasms, or muscle cramps, are strong, painful contractions. They can occur in virtually any muscle but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness — usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but incidence... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction.... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC)... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A seizureis a sudden paroxysmal discharge of neurons that causes a transientalteration in neurologic function. This alteration can include changesin level of alertness, sensation, motor activity, and... Classification of Seizure Types ... Principal Causes of Seizures ... Clinical Features and Diagnosis ... Diagnostic Approach ... References ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Fasciculations, or muscle twitches, are local muscle contractions caused by the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle supplied by a single motor nerve cell. These... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Myoclonus—sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group—occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald the onset of a seizure. These contractions may be... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The most common type of involuntary muscle movement, tremors are regular rhythmic oscillations that result from alternating contraction of opposing muscle groups. They're typical signs of extrapyramidal or cerebellar... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Detected by palpation, abdominal rigidity refers to abnormal muscle tension or inflexibility of the abdomen. Rigidity may be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary rigidity reflects the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Muscle spasms are strong, painful contractions of the muscles. They can occur in virtually any muscle, but are most common in the calf and foot. Muscle spasms typically occur from simple muscle fatigue, after... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm.) It's an important sign of tetany, a potentially life-threatening condition... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A bilateral, coarse movement, asterixis is characterized by sudden relaxation of muscle groups holding a sustained posture. This elicited sign is most commonly observed in the wrists and fingers, but may also appear during any... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times per day, causing... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness—usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but their incidence... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don't alter the patient's level of consciousness (LOC). The type and pattern reflect the location of the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The causes of this symptom lend themselves easily to recall. Simply remember the word VINDICATE. There are usually just one or two diseases for each letter. V— ... READ EXCERPTS »
... This sign is generally considered pathognomonic for anterior horn cell or root disease. It may occur, however, in certain cases of peripheral neuropathy, in electrolyte disturbances, and in myasthenia gravis, ... READ EXCERPTS »
... The differential diagnosis of this sign is similar to that of tremors , but a few additional possibilities should be kept in mind. Idiopathic myoclonus epilepsy, petit mal epilepsy (with the petit mal ... READ EXCERPTS »
... Anatomy can assist one greatly in formulating a differential diagnosis of tremor of hepatic coma, Wilson disease, and alcoholism. The thyroid brings to mind... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »
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