Index Finger Twitching

Imagine a situation, it's Sunday morning, you are savoring the wonderful bacon and eggs and enjoying the Sunday news, when suddenly your index finger twitches, without you doing anything. An involuntary twitch in the index finger though not necessarily painful, can be frightening, unnatural and yes, some thing's wrong. There are some probable causes and explanations for such a phenomenon, and with appropriate treatment one can get rid of such a condition. Please note that the twitching can be painless and in some cases it can also cause varying proportions of pain, depending upon the ailment. Whatever the case the twitch should not be ignored.

Twitching in any of the fingers such as the index finger, is usually attributed to some abnormality in the musculoskeletal system. In some cases, problems with the nervous system, have also been identified as a cause behind the twitching. In some unique cases, problems with the musculoskeletal and nervous system, both are identified as the cause of the ailment. A list of common and probable causes, immediate symptoms and treatments have been mentioned here.

1. Deficiency

One probable cause which is also one of the most common causes of twitching fingers, is nutritional deficiency. Your blood stream, skeletal system, muscles and nervous system in the hand, wrist, fingers and all organs within the complex structure of hand are probably the most used components of the human body. Hence these organs critically need some specified nutrients in certain proportions on an almost daily basis.

• Tetany: Tetany is a Clinical neurological syndrome which arises as a result of deficiency of Vitamin D. This syndrome leads to weird sensation in the fingers, tongue and lips. In a more intense form, such a syndrome can cause uncontrollable, involuntary twitching and facial spasms. Apart from the twitching index finger, another problem that may arise is the difficulty in calcium absorption in the body, which may further weaken muscles and bones in the body. Diet change, and medication can cure the twitching quite easily. In some cases, physical therapy and small exercises are also used to get rid of the problem.
• Hypomagnesemia: Like vitamin D, the organs within the hand and palm need magnesium in small quantities, which is of critical importance. Hypomagnesemia is when magnesium content in the blood drops down to abnormally low levels, such as less than 0.7 mmol/L. Such a deficiency causes electrolyte imbalance in the organs of the hand which leads to the weird twitching feeling in the index finger. Certain prescription drugs and certain dietary changes can cure this ailment.
• Hypocalcemia: Hypocalcemia, is caused due to low amounts of calcium. The low portions of calcium lead to the electrolyte imbalance, which turn causes your index finger to twitch. Again dietary changes, supplements and drugs in extreme situations can cure the ailment.

2. Musculoskeletal Causes

Now, the cause of the twitching finger can be traced to the muscles and bones of the body. Here are some causes and their cures.

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This syndrome is one of the most common causes of several palm and related problems. In the carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve which gets affected as a result of extreme pressure on the wrist and hence numbness and a tingling sensation in the wrist, palm and fingers is experienced. Depending upon the severity of the syndrome, certain medications and a physical therapy can be used to cure the condition.
• Cramps: The simplest explanation of all, a cramp. Cramps usually occur as a result of several causes which include, deficiency, trauma, excessive use, lack of energy, or simply due to the contraction or overshortening of the skeletal muscles. This cause, if not chronic is nothing to worry about. On the whole, visit your doctor in case if the tingling in the thumb becomes chronic and painful.
• Overuse: In some cases, simply the overuse of your index finger can cause the tingling and weird sensation. There is nothing to worry about in such cases and resting the hand properly can get rid of the condition.
• Myopathy: Myopathy is a condition where the muscles in the body do not function properly. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, that range from weakness, trauma and even deficiency. Cramps and tingling sensation in the hand can be a common symptom.

3. Other Causes

There are some other miscellaneous causes where the symptom of index finger twitching can be experienced as a secondary or a very minor effect.

• Multiple Sclerosis: The myelin sheath which is the covering of the nerve cells, gets damaged and weakened which leads to the disease. There are several causes, some of which are even unexplained which can lead to multiple sclerosis. This disease affects the nervous system and spinal column and over all the nerve impulses of the body. Numbness and a tingling sensation in the fingers is often observed as a symptom. This disease can be cured with the help of several drugs and therapies.
• Parkinson's Disease: This is a disorder of the brain which usually occurs in post-50 age groups and is a hereditary disorder. On the whole it leads to tingling sensation and tremors in the body, especially in the arms, fingers and legs. The medication that is used to cure this disease usually increases, dopamine in the brain.
• Side Effects of Drugs: Medication and drugs such as estrogen, diuretics and corticosteroids often leads to the tingling sensational in the index fingers or all other fingers.

In all the aforementioned problems, ailments and causes, please note that in case the fingers tingle chronically or give away to pain it is essential to visit the doctor. The pain and tingling in most of the cases is some minor form of overuse or cramp which is quite harmless. However when it get chronic or painful, there's something wrong.