Spasticity is a condition in which muscles stiffen or tighten, preventing normal fluid movement. The muscles remain contracted and resist being stretched, thus affecting movement, speech and gait.
Muscle stiffness often arises after changing exercise routines, overusing muscles, or being physically inactive for long periods of time. Otherwise, muscle stiffness can be caused by an underlying condition, including myopathy, neuromuscular disorders, and neurologic disorders.
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare, progressive neurological disorder. Symptoms may include: Stiff muscles in the trunk (torso), arms, and legs. Greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.
Spasticity is stiff or rigid muscles. It may also be called unusual tightness or increased muscle tone.
What is myositis? Myositis (my-o-SY-tis) is a rare type of autoimmune disease that inflames and weakens muscle fibers.
Myasthenia gravis. Myopathy. Myositis, including polymyositis and dermatomyositis.
Myotonia is a neuromuscular condition in which the relaxation of a muscle is impaired. It can affect any muscle group. Repeated effort generally is needed to relax the muscle, although the condition usually improves after the muscles have warmed-up.
Myotonia is a rare condition where your muscles aren't able to relax after they contract. For example, you might not be able to let go of someone's hand after you shake it, or you may have trouble standing up. This disorder can affect other organs throughout your body.
During flare-ups, muscles become tight, or spasms may occur. Many affected people do not sleep well and feel anxious, and sometimes depressed or tense. Fatigue is common, as are mental problems such as difficulty concentrating and a general feeling of mental cloudiness.
Get medical care right away or go to the emergency room if you have muscle pain with: Trouble breathing or dizziness. Extreme muscle weakness with problems doing routine daily activities. A high fever and stiff neck.
Chronic muscle tension may increase your risk of heart disease. When the muscles remain in a constant state of tension, blood pressure rises, placing additional stress on arteries, blood vessels and organs. Subsequently, this can lead to stroke or other serious heart disease.
Muscles that feel tight are generally short and weak. The common misconception surrounding strength training is that it will make your muscles really tight.
Anxiety causes the muscles to tense up, which can lead to pain and stiffness in almost any area of the body. Constant stress and worry can also prevent the immune system from working properly, leading to decreased resistance to infection and disease.
Spasticity is a condition in which muscles stiffen or tighten, preventing normal fluid movement. The muscles remain contracted and resist being stretched, thus affecting movement, speech and gait.
Anxiety builds tension throughout the body. Conover said in the brain can react to thoughts of fear and turn to the muscles to brace for a moment that is not happening. Much like if you were about to get in an accident or protecting your body to get punched.
The most common is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The next most common is Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).
Autoimmune disorders that specifically affect the muscles, joints, and nerves include rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Polymyalgia rheumatica, which also involves the joints, is thought to be an autoimmune condition, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
Furthermore, MRI can also detect subclinical muscle inflammation such as in amyopathic DM (34), in which up to 100% of patients have muscle inflammation on WB MRI, or in amyopathic ASyS patients where muscular inflammation is frequently observed (28).
CT scan – where a series of X-rays are taken to create a detailed image of the inside of your body, which will reveal any muscle damage.
Viruses or bacteria may invade muscle tissue directly, or release substances that damage muscle fibers. Common cold and flu viruses, as well as HIV, are just a few of the viruses that can cause myositis.