Why do sometimes some random part of our body twitches like a heart?

Question

Why do random part of our body spasm?

In: 7715

Answer 1

The Sodium-Potassium pump is lopsided, typically from not getting enough potassium. Salt and potassium are used to open and close channels along muscle cell membrane, especially when contracting and relaxing are required. Imbalance of either of the salts leaves the ion gradient very close to signalling open or close along the muscle surface/ relax or contract, kind of like sitting on the fence about a decision. If you have enough Potassium you will typically not experience this, unless you are dealing with some exogenous electrical current, nerve damage, drug reaction, or the muscle being forced under tension involuntarily for too long.