Spasm or twitch

[LATW]

What is the difference between the two?

L

[Quixotic1]

To the medical people the difference is how they behave.  In general we think of a twicth as being a very quick "contract and release" usually of a small muscle group.  A spasm is considered to last longer, and includes words like cramp and charlie horse.  Not written in stone.  Quix

[LATW]

Yes, thank you!
L

[6-paq]

This is what I found on the internet:

Muscle spasms can cause cramps and are usually brought on by the following:

- Muscle fatigue
- Heavy exercise
- Dehydration
- Pregnancy
- Hypothyroidism
- Depleted magnesium or calcium stores or other metabolic abnormalities
- Alcoholism
- Kidney failure leading to uremia
- Medications

Muscle twitching may lead to cramping and may involve the following:

- Benign, nonpathologic fasciculations (not caused by disease or disorders)
Often affecting the eyelids, calf or thumb
Commonly triggered by stress, anxiety
- Diet deficiency
- Side effects of drugs, especially diuretics or caffeine
- More serious causes of fasciculations -- such as motor neuron disease, muscle diseases, or denervation -- are usually accompanied by weakness and atrophy of the affected muscle group, as well as other signs and symptoms.

I think of spasm/cramps being painful.  Muscle twitches are not ~ just annoying.

HTH!  Pat :)