View source for Muscle spasm

{{wiktionary|spasm}}
{{SignSymptom infobox |
  Name        = Muscle spasm |
  ICD10       = {{ICD10|R|25|2|r|25}} |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9|728.85}} |
}}
A '''spasm''' is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a [[muscle]], a group of muscles, or a hollow [[Organ (anatomy)|organ]], or a similarly sudden [[contraction]] of an [[orifice]].  It is sometimes accompanied by a sudden burst of [[pain]], but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes. Spasmodic muscle contraction may also be due to a large number of medical conditions, however, including the [[dystonia]]s.

By extension, a spasm is temporary burst of [[Energy (psychological)|energy]], [[activity]], or [[emotion]].

[[Image:CBell1809.jpg|thumb|300px|Muscle spasms in a patient suffering from [[tetanus]] (1809)]]

A subtype of spasms is [[colic]], an episodic pain due to spasms of [[smooth muscle]] in a particular organ (e.g. the [[bile duct]]). A characteristic of colic is the sensation of having to move about, and the pain may induce [[nausea]] or [[vomiting]] if severe. Series of spasms or permanent spasms are called ''a spasmism''.

In very severe cases, the spasm can induce muscular contractions that are more forceful than the sufferer could generate under normal circumstances. This can lead to torn tendons and ligaments.

Some argue that [[hysterical strength]] is a type of spasm induced by the brain under extreme circumstances.

==Causes==
*Drugs side effect: [[Hydrochlorothiazide]]
 
==See also==
* [[Cramp]]
* [[Angina (disambiguation)|Angina]]
* [[Cadaveric spasm]]
* [[Myoclonus]]
* [[Hypnic jerk]]
* [[Blepharospasm]]
* [[Muscle contraction]]

==External links==
*[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003193.htm NIH Medical Encyclopedia] 
*[http://health.howstuffworks.com/question223.htm How Stuff Works]
*[http://www.healiohealth.com/muscle-spasm-treatment.html Helio Health] 
*[http://www.dystoni.com/public_htm/faq.htm Swedish]

{{Nervous and musculoskeletal system symptoms and signs}}

[[Category:Medical signs]]

{{med-sign-stub}}

[[cs:Křeč]]
[[de:Krampf]]
[[es:Espasmo muscular]]
[[fr:Spasme]]
[[lt:Spazmas]]
[[pl:Kurcz]]
[[pt:Espasmo]]
[[ru:Спазм]]
[[fi:Spasmi]]
[[sv:Spasm]]
[[zh:抽搐]]

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