Understanding Muscle Seizures: Causes, Symptoms & Epilepsy

A seizure, according to Epilepsy.com, is "a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that usually affects how a person feels or acts for a short time." The seizure may or may not affect your consciousness, and it is often accompanied by sudden, involuntary movement of your muscles. You may have only slight shaking of a hand, or you may have violent shaking of your entire body.

Epilepsy

• Epilepsy is referred to as a seizure disorder. It is a neurological condition that affects the nervous system and causes seizures. According to WebMD, about 2.5 million Americans have epilepsy, and it can develop at any age.

Drug Withdrawal

• Addicts suffer muscle seizures when going through withdrawal from alcohol as well as prescription or illegal drugs. Rehabilitation centers effectively treat this and other symptoms.

Diabetes

• Diabetic muscle seizures can be caused by extremely low or extremely high blood sugar levels, according to Diabetic Live.

Other Illnesses

• Meningitis, encephalitis, rapidly increasing fever, and brain tumors or injuries are common causes of muscle seizures, according to WebMD.

Other Factors

• Heredity factors, heatstroke, sleep deprivation and malnutrition are among other causes of muscle seizures, according to Health Blurbs.