7. Fasciculations – The Quivering Muscles
Fasciculations, also known as muscle twitching, is another symptom indicative of OPCA. This symptom involves small, involuntary muscle contractions visible under the skin. These contractions may occur randomly in different parts of the body, adding to the complex symptomatology of OPCA.
In the grand scheme of the disease, fasciculations may not seem as concerning as the other symptoms, primarily because they’re not typically painful. However, they can be unnerving for those experiencing them, especially given their random and unpredictable nature. These tiny, involuntary contractions can occur in any muscle group, including those in the arms, legs, or even the face.
Fasciculations are caused by the erratic firing of motor neurons – the nerve cells responsible for controlling our muscles. In OPCA, as certain parts of the brain and spinal cord that house these neurons degenerate, the motor neurons can start misfiring, leading to these tiny muscle twitches. (7)
