痙攣(けいれん)

Usage

痙攣(けいれん) covers a range of involuntary muscle contractions from minor cramps to serious convulsions.
Where it commonly happens:

• 足(あし): Leg (most common for exercise-related cramps)
• ふくらはぎ: Calf (also called こむら返(がえ)り)
• 目(め)の周(まわ)り: Around the eye (stress-related twitching)
• 手(て): Hand

Common causes

• 運動(うんどう): Exercise (muscle cramps)
• 脱水(だっすい): Dehydration
• 電解質(でんかいしつ)異常(いじょう): Electrolyte imbalance
• 疲労(ひろう): Fatigue
• 高熱(こうねつ): High fever (especially in children)

Types

• 筋(きん)痙攣(けいれん): Muscle spasm/cramp
• 熱性(ねっせい)痙攣(けいれん): Febrile seizure (in children with fever)
• てんかん発作(ほっさ): Epileptic seizure

Common patterns

• 痙攣(けいれん)する: to have a spasm/convulsion
• 痙攣(けいれん)を起(お)こす: to have a convulsion/seizure

Watch out

If convulsions are accompanied by loss of consciousness, last more than a few minutes, or occur repeatedly, seek emergency medical care.