Thumb twitching, also known as tremor, happens when muscles in your thumb contract involuntarily. Nerves connected to your thumb muscles can cause thumb twitching. This is a temporary condition and rarely can be a sign of something serious.
If thumb twitching gets in the way of doing your everyday activities, then it’s time to visit a doctor who can set up a proper diagnosis.
Why is my thumb twitching?
While some causes may be directly linked to your lifestyle and exercise routine, others may indicate something is wrong with your nervous system.
Autoimmune disorders
Some conditions can cause your nerves to stimulate your muscles non-intentionally. On a rare occasion, this could be the sign of Isaacs’ syndrome.
Cramp-fasciculation syndrome
Because of overactive nerves, a benign fasciculation syndrome causes your muscles to twitch. However, this condition is rare and doesn’t affect many people.
Drug overdose
Taking different types of stimulants can make muscles twitch. This includes substances like caffeine, over-the-counter energy drinks, as well as cocaine and amphetamines.
Lack of sleep
If you don’t sleep enough, neurotransmitters can affect your brain nerves and cause your thumb to twitch.
Drug side effects
Some medications can cause your thumb to twitch. For example, diuretics, estrogen supplements, and corticosteroids often have this side effect.
Exercise
After a workout, your muscles tend to twitch, especially if you engage in high-intensity training. This usually happens because your body doesn’t have enough oxygen to turn lactate into energy. This extra lactate is stored in your muscles; when needed, it can cause your muscles to twitch.
Medical condition
Conditions that affect your body’s ability to produce energy can also cause your muscles to twitch. Metabolic disorders such as kidney disease, low potassium disorder, and uremia can all affect your muscles.
Harmless twitches
Your thumb can twitch at any time without any specific warning. Stress and anxiety can trigger harmless twitches in your thumbs but also your eyelids and calves. These twitches don’t tend to last long and may be inconsistent.
The central nervous system causes
Thumb twitching can also indicate something serious, such as a central nervous system condition you may not be aware of.
ASL (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis): This is a serious condition that affects motor neurons responsible for transmitting nerve signals from your brain to your muscles. Over time, they weaken and die.
Parkinson’s disease: Hand tremors are one of the first signs of Parkinson’s, a disease that causes neurons in the brain to get lost over time.
Nerve damage: this condition occurs when nerves become damaged by diabetes, repetitive motion, injury, or kidney disorders that cause harmful toxins to enter your body. Neuropathy is a pretty common disorder, and it affects more than 20 million people in the USA alone.
Spinal Muscular atrophy: this genetic condition causes you to lose motor neurons over time.
Myopathy: also known as muscle weakness. It happens you have issues with muscle fibers, and they don’t function properly.
How to stop thumb twitching?
If you want your thumb to stop twitching, then we suggest the following options:
Avoid triggers: if alcohol, sugar, and caffeine cause twitching, limit their intake and don’t combine them.
Manage stress: breathing exercises and meditation can minimize stress and reduce twitching.
Don’t use electronics too much.
Get a good night’s sleep: having at least seven hours of sleep is recommended.
Pay attention to your diet: drink plenty of water and intake vitamins B-12, B-6, C, and D.
Left thumb twitching treatment
You don’t need treatment for harmless thumb twitching. It will go away but may last for a couple of days. On the other hand, if an underlying condition causes your thumb to twitch, you may need to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Some possible treatments include:
Stretch your hands to avoid cramping
Massage the affected area because it can relieve stress
Prescription medications like beta-blockers and seizures may help
In case of nerve damage, only surgery can help
When to see a doctor?
You should go to a doctor if:
This condition doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks
Disrupts your daily activities like typing or writing
If you notice some symptoms that indicate something is wrong with your central nervous system, visit a doctor immediately. Diagnostic tests will identify causes such as brain tumors, spinal injuries, nutritional deficiencies, or any other serious condition.
These tests include nerve conduction tests, urine tests to determine the presence of toxins, x-rays, MRI, and blood tests.