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What Causes Sleep Twitching?

Sarah R. LaVergne
Sarah R. LaVergne

The four common causes of sleep twitching are sleep myoclonus, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) behavior disorder. Sleep twitching can also be referred to as twitching, moving or jerking. The level of movement patients may experience is determined by the disorder that causes the twitching.

Sleep myoclonus is a slight twitching of the muscles involving the fingers, eyes, lips and toes. One symptom of sleep moclonus is the feeling of jerking awake right after falling asleep. This form of myoclonus is not typically life threatening. When sleep myoclonus is present it can be a sign of other sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

The cause of sleep myoclonus is the brain overreacting to startling events.
The cause of sleep myoclonus is the brain overreacting to startling events.

The cause of sleep myoclonus is the brain overreacting to startling events. This portion of the brain controls movement. Sleep myoclonus is typically found in adult males, and if this is the only disorder they suffer, treatment is generally not necessary. When other sleep disorders are present with sleep myoclonus, tranquilizers can be used to help the patient sleep without interruption.

REM behavior disorder may cause a person to twitch during the dream cycle.
REM behavior disorder may cause a person to twitch during the dream cycle.

PLMD, another sleep disorder, can be a major cause of sleep twitching. In PLMD, twitching or jerking movements last for up to 30 seconds at a time and disrupt the sleep pattern of the person suffering the disorder. PLMD patients typically feel tired during the day because of sleep disruption. The twitching is present in the arms, legs and appendages and can occur as slight twitching or massive jerking motions. Some causes of PLMB are iron deficiencies, tumors on the spine, sleep apnea and certain medication.

One symptom of sleep moclonus is the feeling of jerking awake right after falling asleep.
One symptom of sleep moclonus is the feeling of jerking awake right after falling asleep.

RLS is a sleep disorder that causes sleep twitching while a person is awake. Once in a resting position, before falling asleep, the legs will feel the need to move, jerk, stretch, kick or even curl up. Typically it is impossible to find enough comfort to fall asleep. RLS causes exhaustion due to lack of sleep which can interfere with job performance and regular lifestyle. Some causes of RLS are anemia, nicotine, alcohol, pregnancy, kidney disease and certain medications.

Nicotine has been shown to cause sleep twitching in certain individuals.
Nicotine has been shown to cause sleep twitching in certain individuals.

One more major cause of sleep twitching is REM behavior disorder. During rapid eye movement (REM), a sleeping person is in a state of paralysis. This paralysis keeps dreams from being physically acted out during sleep. REM behavior disorder initiates a suspension of this necessary paralysis. Since the paralysis is nonexistent, the person moves and jerks during the dream cycle.

Twitching may disrupt a person's sleep pattern.
Twitching may disrupt a person's sleep pattern.

Some behaviors that may occur when REM behavior disorder is present are yelling, punching, sitting up and jumping out of bed. The person can become violent while sleeping due to this disorder. Middle-aged and elderly people are most often affected by REM behavior disorder.

Discussion Comments

Melonlity

I always thought Restless Leg Syndrome would be a great name for a band.

Seriously, though, I have always believed some twitching and motion at night is normal. None of us are perfectly still when sleeping.

Still, there's normal movement then there's abnormal movement that may suggest a problem. The solution is not always simple as the author correctly points out a lot of underlying conditions can lead to excessive jerking and twitching at night. It's a good idea to see a doctor to make sure excessive movement isn't caused by something serious.

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    • The cause of sleep myoclonus is the brain overreacting to startling events.
      By: Monkey Business
      The cause of sleep myoclonus is the brain overreacting to startling events.
    • REM behavior disorder may cause a person to twitch during the dream cycle.
      By: yalayama
      REM behavior disorder may cause a person to twitch during the dream cycle.
    • One symptom of sleep moclonus is the feeling of jerking awake right after falling asleep.
      By: jolopes
      One symptom of sleep moclonus is the feeling of jerking awake right after falling asleep.
    • Nicotine has been shown to cause sleep twitching in certain individuals.
      By: Artistan
      Nicotine has been shown to cause sleep twitching in certain individuals.
    • Twitching may disrupt a person's sleep pattern.
      By: Johan Larson
      Twitching may disrupt a person's sleep pattern.
    • Restless leg syndrome may present with cramping, tremors, and pain in the legs.
      By: kazoka303030
      Restless leg syndrome may present with cramping, tremors, and pain in the legs.
    • Many disorders that cause twitching may lead to sleep disturbances that leave the sufferer exhausted the following day.
      By: Halfpoint
      Many disorders that cause twitching may lead to sleep disturbances that leave the sufferer exhausted the following day.