Twitching of the lower lid
Eye twitching on the lower eyelid is a common neurological symptom with mostly low clinical significance. But there can also be more serious causes behind the annoying twitching of the eyelids. In order to avoid a chronic course of the disease, every eye twitch should be clarified neurologically.
What is lower eyelid twitching?
Twitching of the lower eyelid is understood as the involuntary spasm of the fine ring muscles around the eyes . The so-called orbicularis oculi muscle is a mimic facial muscle, which can also be contracted voluntarily. In the event of a nervous twitching of the lower eyelid, sudden tics occur which are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and are therefore not subject to voluntary control. Twitching of the eye muscles can occur sporadically in one or both eyes or in the form of an attack as a continuous contraction lasting minutes.
Individual tics are often not even noticed by those affected. However, if the symptoms occur more frequently, the quality of life can be impaired in the long term. The involuntary nerve contractions of the eyelids are also visible to others. The severity of lower eyelid twitching can be observed in front of the mirror during a tic. It is usually a harmless symptom of the disease, which is nevertheless perceived as disturbing for those affected from a certain degree of severity.
Causes
It is initially considered a sign of inner tension and nervousness when the lower eyelid of one or both eyes twitches and flutters. Eye twitching in all its manifestations is primarily an expression of negative stress . It is a vegetative symptom that can also cause anxiety and panic in those affected . Because the involuntary eye twitches cannot be influenced voluntarily and occur completely unforeseen and seemingly randomly.The muscle spasm of the circular eye muscle, which is the basis of the eye twitch, is caused by locally overstimulated nerves. In the case of chronic negative stress, the bloodstream is flooded with hormones from the adrenal cortex , which puts the fine nerve plexuses around the eyes in high tension. The innervation of the eye muscles is particularly fine and sensitive, which is why misguided, stress-related impulses are discharged particularly easily here.
Other causes of lower eyelid twitching are drafts, lack of sleep , stimulant abuse, thyroid disorders, neurological diseases, incorrectly fitted vision aids or certain types of brain tumors as the most serious cause of lower eyelid twitching. It is also assumed that an undersupply of the mineral magnesium or the vitamins of the B complex can also lead to misguided nerve reactions in the eye. All other causes should first be ruled out before a diagnosis of stress-related eye twitch is made.
Diseases
Diagnosis and course
The course of the disease of eyelid twitching can vary greatly depending on the cause and degree of severity, from acute temporary to chronic forms with symptoms that last for years. The phenomenon of these so-called fasciculations usually only affects one lower eyelid. Right-handed people usually twitch the right lower eyelid, left-handed people usually the left one. Only a few sufferers report that both lower eyelids are always affected by the twitching. In chronic forms, vision can also be temporarily impaired during eyelid twitching. Months of twitching can be followed by periods of seizure-free intervals that are just as long.
The diagnosis of involuntary fasciculations on the lower eyelid can be made quickly and reliably based on the clear symptoms. An extended neurological examination including nerve conduction measurement may also be necessary to determine the severity and degree of severity. The faster a causal, i.e. cause-related therapy is initiated, the better the prognosis for complete healing. Even in chronic cases, the twitching of the eyes, which in most cases is only an expression of an overstimulated vegetative nervous system, can be alleviated by initiating an adequate therapy.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of lid fasciculations should always be based on the underlying cause so that the best possible therapeutic success can be achieved within a short period of time in the interest of the patient. As a rule, eye twitching on the lower eyelid is harmless and can be positively influenced with just a few lifestyle changes. The promising countermeasures include private and professional stress reduction, avoiding nerve-damaging stimulants such as nicotine , alcohol or drugs, and adequate, regular night sleep of at least seven hours.
If the twitching of the eyelids does not subside despite the initiated changes in the risk factors of lifestyle, then the doctor should be consulted now at the latest for further diagnostic clarification. If high blood pressure is the cause of chronic eyelid twitching, it must first be treated so that the twitching of the eye can subsequently disappear. A change in diet has also proven to be helpful for treatment.
The selection of nutritional products should be designed in such a way that the supply to the nerves and muscles benefits particularly well. Meat , egg yolk and dairy products ensure a sufficient supply of B vitamins . Vegetarians should take appropriate dietary supplements to support the healing process of eye twitches caused by high levels of stress.
The additional intake of magnesium can also be useful, because this mineral has the potential to alleviate nervous and muscular states of excitement. However, overdoses should be avoided, which could otherwise lead to diarrhea and cardiac arrhythmia. If the cause of an eye twitch is an overactive thyroid gland, hyperthyroidism, then this underlying disease must first be treated before the eye twitch symptom can disappear.
Prevention
Preventative measures against eye twitching on the lower eyelid are those that reduce the general stress level of the autonomic nervous system. Excessive coffee consumption is considered to be an important stress factor in everyday life . The caffeine contained in coffee can already be the trigger for nervous twitching in the eye. Coffee consumption should therefore be limited as much as possible in the case of existing symptoms. The use of soothing medicinal plants such as hops , passion flower or valerian can promote healthy sleep and thus the nocturnal recovery of the over-excited nervous system.Anyone who is unable to reduce their everyday stress level due to professional or private commitments should nevertheless learn a relaxation method that is easy to use in everyday life. The so-called progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson, autogenic training or yoga have proven to be helpful in preventing nervous twitching of the lower eyelid .
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.