spasm 
/ˈspæzəm/ noun
plural spasms /ˈspæzəm/ noun [count] 1 : a sudden uncontrolled and often painful tightening of a muscle
▪ violent back spasms ▪ a disease that causes muscle spasms 2 : a sudden and usually brief occurrence of something you cannot control
▪ He was racked with coughing spasms. ▪ She was suffering spasms of guilt. ▪ spasms of joy/rage
▪ violent back spasms ▪ a disease that causes muscle spasms
▪ He was racked with coughing spasms. ▪ She was suffering spasms of guilt. ▪ spasms of joy/rage
