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These muscles are involuntary and are controlled by the unconscious part of our brain function using the autonomic nervous system. They tend to circle the structure and when they contract, the hollow structure is squeezed. Smooth muscle is located in the walls of hollow internal structures in the body, like the arteries, intestines, bladder, and iris of the eye. Treatment may include medications to help restore the neurotransmitter levels to normal and Botox injections to paralyze the affected muscle and relieve the spasm. Examples include torticollis and blepharospasm. A special form of muscle spasms is the dystonias where an abnormality perhaps exists with the chemicals that help transmit signals within the brain.
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Examples include the pain associated with menstrual cramps, diarrhea, gallbladder pain, and passing a kidney stone. Often this pain is colicky, meaning that it comes and goes. Smooth muscles that are within the walls of hollow organs (like the colon) can go into spasm, causing significant pain.If muscle spasms are especially painful, if they do not resolve or if they recur, medical care should be accessed to look for other possible underlying causes.It may be relieved by gently stretching the muscle. The spasm occurs abruptly, is painful, and is usually short-lived. Spasms of skeletal muscles are most common and are often due to overuse and muscle fatigue, dehydration, and electrolyte abnormalities.Spasms can affect many different types of muscles in the body, leading to many different symptoms.Facts you should know about muscle spasms
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