If you've ever found yourself waiting for your twitching eye to pass, then you must know how annoying this can get over an extended period of time. The twitching can start at any time of the day, suddenly, then stretching for minutes, hours, or longer. The twitching can even be on both eyes, and you're wondering, "why is my eye twitching?" Most eye twitches are mild and harmless but that doesn't make them less uncomfortable. But there are versions of eye twitches that come as a result of some neurological problems like blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. In their case, your eyelids may shut for extended periods of time, preventing you from seeing.
Why is my eye twitching?
Eye twitching is an uncontrollable movement of the eyelids. The condition is non-threatening and can sometimes happen without a cause.
"Why is my eye twitching?" Some Reasons
- Eye strain
- Caffeine
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Side effects of medication
- Eye irritation
In the event that your twitching eyes are caused by other underlying problems like essential blepharospasm, it may be happening to both eyes. This condition is more common in women than in men. The following will make the condition worse:
Other conditions
When there is another underlying cause of eye twitching, it is usually accompanied by other symptoms that are unusual. This will enable you to know when things have gone beyond what is normal so that you can seek out your doctor. The following health conditions can lead to eye twitching.
- Facial palsy: Facial palsy is a condition that makes your face sag to one side. This happens because there's temporary paralysis of the muscles in that area of the face. When the nerves that control those muscles become inflamed or swollen, facial palsy occurs.
- Dystonia: Dystonia causes the muscles to twitch involuntarily. The muscles contract in a slow and repetitive way, causing twisting motions or abnormal posture.
- Parkinson's disease: People suffering from Parkinson's disease may experience many symptoms as the disease progresses in stages. The symptoms include speech problems, stiffness of muscles, trembling limbs, constipation, stooped posture, slow movement, balance problems.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis is a disease that involves the nervous system. Symptoms can differ from person to person. And symptoms can become either worse or better as time goes on. The most common symptoms are walking difficulties and fatigue.
- Tourette syndrome: Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder and the most serious kind of spasm syndrome, causing severe twitching of a group of muscles. It causes involuntary sniffing, blinking, grimacing, and grunting.
- Cervical dystonia: Another name for this is spasmodic torticollis or wry neck. This condition can occur due to damaged neck muscles. Or lack of blood supply. It makes the head tilt to one side while the chin tilts in the opposite direction.
Conclusion
If your eyelids are not only twitching but drooping or closing totally, please see your doctor for proper diagnosis. Also, if your eyes are swollen and discharging.
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