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From Nordan Symposia
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==Origin==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''spasme'', from Anglo-French ''espasme'', from [[Latin]] ''spasmus'', from [[Greek]] ''spasmos'', from span to draw, pull
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]
==Definitions==
*1: an involuntary and abnormal [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_contraction muscular contraction]
*2: a sudden [[violent]] and temporary [[effort]], [[emotion]], or sensation <a spasm of [[creativity]]> <spasms of [[pain]]>
==Description==
In [[medicine]], a '''spasm''' is a sudden, involuntary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_contraction contraction of a muscle], a group of muscles, or a hollow organ such as a [[heart]], or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice. It most commonly refers to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_cramp muscle cramp] which is often accompanied by a sudden burst of [[pain]], but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes. There is a variety of other causes of involuntary muscle contractions, which may be more serious, depending on the cause.
The word "spasm" may also refer to a temporary burst of [[energy]], [[activity]], [[emotion]], Eustress, stress, or [[anxiety]] unrelated to, or as a consequence of, involuntary muscle activity.
A variety of types of involuntary muscle activity may be referred to as a "spasm". Examples include muscle contractions due to abnormal [[nerve]] [[stimulation]], or abnormal activity of the muscle itself. A series of spasms or permanent spasms are called a ''spasmism''. A spasm may lead to muscle strains or tears of tendons and ligaments, if the [[force]] of the spasm exceeds the tensile strength of the underlying connective tissues, such as with a particularly forceful spasm, or in the case of weakened connective tissues.
True hypertonic spasm is caused by malfunctioning [[feedback]] [[nerves]], is much more serious, and is permanent unless treated. In this case, the hypertonic muscle tone is excessive and the muscles are unable to [[relax]].
A subtype of spasms is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colic colic]. This is an episodic [[pain]] due to spasms of smooth muscle in a particular organ (e.g. the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bile_duct bile duct]). A characteristic of colic is the sensation of having to move about, and the pain may induce nausea or vomiting if severe.
Among the causes of spasms are insufficient hydration, muscle overload, and absence of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolytes electrolytes]. Spasmodic muscle contraction may be due to a large number of medical conditions, including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystonia dystonias]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertonia Hypertonic muscle spasms] is the state of chronic, excessive [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_tone muscle tone], or tension in a resting muscle – the amount of contraction that remains when a muscle is not actively working.
[[Category: Physiology]]
==Origin==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''spasme'', from Anglo-French ''espasme'', from [[Latin]] ''spasmus'', from [[Greek]] ''spasmos'', from span to draw, pull
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]
==Definitions==
*1: an involuntary and abnormal [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_contraction muscular contraction]
*2: a sudden [[violent]] and temporary [[effort]], [[emotion]], or sensation <a spasm of [[creativity]]> <spasms of [[pain]]>
==Description==
In [[medicine]], a '''spasm''' is a sudden, involuntary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_contraction contraction of a muscle], a group of muscles, or a hollow organ such as a [[heart]], or a similarly sudden contraction of an orifice. It most commonly refers to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_cramp muscle cramp] which is often accompanied by a sudden burst of [[pain]], but is usually harmless and ceases after a few minutes. There is a variety of other causes of involuntary muscle contractions, which may be more serious, depending on the cause.
The word "spasm" may also refer to a temporary burst of [[energy]], [[activity]], [[emotion]], Eustress, stress, or [[anxiety]] unrelated to, or as a consequence of, involuntary muscle activity.
A variety of types of involuntary muscle activity may be referred to as a "spasm". Examples include muscle contractions due to abnormal [[nerve]] [[stimulation]], or abnormal activity of the muscle itself. A series of spasms or permanent spasms are called a ''spasmism''. A spasm may lead to muscle strains or tears of tendons and ligaments, if the [[force]] of the spasm exceeds the tensile strength of the underlying connective tissues, such as with a particularly forceful spasm, or in the case of weakened connective tissues.
True hypertonic spasm is caused by malfunctioning [[feedback]] [[nerves]], is much more serious, and is permanent unless treated. In this case, the hypertonic muscle tone is excessive and the muscles are unable to [[relax]].
A subtype of spasms is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colic colic]. This is an episodic [[pain]] due to spasms of smooth muscle in a particular organ (e.g. the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bile_duct bile duct]). A characteristic of colic is the sensation of having to move about, and the pain may induce nausea or vomiting if severe.
Among the causes of spasms are insufficient hydration, muscle overload, and absence of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolytes electrolytes]. Spasmodic muscle contraction may be due to a large number of medical conditions, including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dystonia dystonias]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertonia Hypertonic muscle spasms] is the state of chronic, excessive [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_tone muscle tone], or tension in a resting muscle – the amount of contraction that remains when a muscle is not actively working.
[[Category: Physiology]]
