A Member of the University of Maryland Medical System   |   In Partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Share

Email PageEmail Print PagePrint

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Espasmos en las manos o en los pies - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Espasmos de los pies; Espasmos carpopedales; Espasmos de las manos o de los pies

Definición:

Son contracciones de los músculos de las manos, los dedos pulgares, los pies o los dedos de los pies. Por lo general son breves, pero pueden ser intensos y dolorosos.

Ver también: calambres musculares

Consideraciones:

Dependiendo de la causa, los siguientes síntomas pueden estar presentes:

  • Calambres
  • Fatiga
  • Debilidad muscular
  • Entumecimiento, hormigueo o sensación de hormigueo
  • Fasciculaciones
  • Movimientos rápidos, sin propósito e incontrolables

Los calambres en las piernas por la noche son comunes en los ancianos.

Causas:

Los calambres o espasmos en los músculos con frecuencia no tienen una causa clara.

Las posibles causas de los espasmos en las manos o los pies abarcan:

  • Trastornos cerebrales, como mal de Parkinson, esclerosis múltiple, distonía y enfermedad de Huntington
  • Nefropatía crónica y diálisis
  • Daño a un solo nervio o a un grupo de nervios (mononeuropatía) o a múltiples nervios (polineuropatía) que están conectados a los músculos
  • Deshidratación (no tener suficientes líquidos en el cuerpo)
  • Trastornos o lesiones que comprometen los nervios periféricos
  • Ejercicio pesado
  • Hiperventilación (hiperrespiración) que consiste en respiración rápida o profunda que puede ocurrir con ansiedad o pánico
  • Aumento de los niveles de fosfato en el cuerpo
  • Calambres musculares, usualmente ocasionados por sobrecarga durante prácticas deportivas o por la actividad laboral
  • Embarazo, con mayor frecuencia durante el tercer trimestre
  • Niveles bajos de magnesio o calcio en el cuerpo
  • Trastornos tiroideos
  • Uso de ciertos medicamentos
  • Reviewed last on: 3/22/2010
  • Daniel C. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Khoshknabi DS. Muscle spasms. In: Walsh D, Caraceni AT, Fainsinger R, et al, eds. Palliative Medicine. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 168.

Griggs RC, Józefowicz RF, Aminoff MJ. Approach to the patient with neurologic disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 418.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Adam QualityA.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
adam.com
Connect with UMMC
Facebook Twitter YouTube Blog iPhone

Please rate the quality of this article.

Do you find this article to be helpful / informative?
              
Poor                                       Excellent

Do you have any brief comments on this page: (up to 255 characters)

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885