Twitching around the eye or cheek is rarely seen and even more rarely a cause for concern. Most of the time, these twitches happen spontaneously with no known cause, and then vanish without treatment in a matter of days. Most facial twitches are harmless and most commonly caused by stress, fatigue, or caffeine consumption. Occasionally, however, the twitching can become bothersome and even lead to or be accompanied by other symptoms, which could be a sign that something more serious is going on and could require medical attention.

Twitching of the face is not a disease in and of itself. It can be caused by a whole range of factors, and can even be the result of certain lifestyle choices or the effect of a whole host of more serious neurological diseases that affect the facial muscles and the nerves that control them. It is important to be aware of some of the more serious causes of facial twitching to know when it is time to seek medical attention.

Definition of Facial Twitching

Facial twitching is when there is an involuntary contraction of the muscles of the face that can affect multiple regions. These twitching spasms can affect the eyelids and can even extend to the cheeks, lips, and jaws. They can be extremely faint and even go unnoticed by others, or can be strong enough to cause noticeable muscle spasms.

For many, these spasms are infrequent and of short duration. Nevertheless, when these involuntary contractions of the muscles occur repeatedly and affect only one half of the face, it is highly recommended that a neurologist be consulted to further investigate the cause.

Examples of Causes of Facial Twitching

While there is a long list of potential causes that result in facial twitching, thankfully, most of them are not serious.

Causes of Muscle Twitching

Stress and Anxiety

Stress can also cause muscle twitches, as the body reacts to stress by activating the nervous system and causing muscles to contract involuntarily.

Not Enough Sleep

Eye muscle twitches may happen after a sleepless night since a lack of sleep heightens and increases sensitivity to muscle contraction.

Caffeine Consumption

Spasms and twitches may happen if the nervous system is overstimulated by too much coffee, tea, sodas, or energy drinks.

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

Twitching may be due to poor nervous system and muscle function caused by Magnesium, vitamin B12 or vitamin D deficiencies.

Medications

Twitching of some muscles may be a side effect of some medications used for asthma, epilepsy, and some psychiatric disorders.

Neurological Disorders

The following may also be a reason for persistent facial muscle twitching, but cause more concern and require a medical assessment for treatment:

• Hemifacial spasm
• Recovery stage of Bell’s palsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Facial nerve compression

Symptoms of Facial Twitching

Symptoms can vary, depending on the specific condition, but may include:

• Persistent twitching of the eyelids
• Twitching of the lips, cheeks, or jaw
• Muscle spasms in one side of the face
• Spasms and tension of the facial muscles
• Twitching that is especially worse after stressful events
• Closed eyelids in the event of severe twitching

You should seek emergency help if facial twitching is accompanied by any of the following:

• Weak or drooping face
• Slurred or difficult speech
• Difficulty swallowing
• Numbness
• Sudden vision changes
• Weakness in the arms or legs

These symptoms could be the result of a severe condition affecting your brain that needs immediate treatment.

Diagnosing Facial Twitching

The first step will usually be a consultation with a neurologist. During the consultation, the doctor will most likely focus on your symptoms and will take your medical history and review any medications and lifestyle habits.

The doctor may order the following tests, depending on your condition:

• a complete physical and neurological exam
• blood tests
• an MRI or CT scan of the brain
• Electromyography EMG in select cases

These tests can help determine if facial twitching is the result of an underlying temporary or chronic neurological disorder.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the cause of the facial twitching.

If lifestyle changes are the cause ex., poor sleep, stress, or excess caffeine, implementing the aforementioned practices usually curtails facial twitching symptoms.

If testing reveals a vitamin deficiency, dietary changes and supplementation may be adopted.

If a medication is the issue, a doctor may recommend switching medications or changing the dose.

For hemifacial spasm, treatment may be medication or botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to reduce muscle spasms. Facial nerve decompression surgery is rarely performed.

When Do You Need Medical Advice?

You should see a neurologist if occasional facial twitching:

• lasts several weeks,
• becomes more frequent and severe,
• is on one side of the face,
• interferes with eating, speaking, and daily activities,
• accompanies facial weakness, numbness, drooping, or
• it is accompanied by other neurologic symptoms.

There is a better chance of controlling and lessening the symptoms with an early diagnosis.

Conclusion

Facial twitching can be a common symptom of stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep as well as excess caffeine. While these causes are benign, twitching can be a sign of a more severe condition, so it is better to get evaluated sooner rather than later.

Royal Care Neurosciences is a leader in Neurologic diagnosis. Our goal is to provide patients with a better quality of life through modern symptom management.

FAQs

1. Most people don’t have to worry about facial twitches.

They usually come and go and are annoying but mild. Mostly they are caused by temporary factors such as stress, tiredness, a lack of sleep, or having too much caffeine. They can still indicate a larger issue for some people concerning their nervous system, which is why it is important to monitor your twitches.

2. Can facial twitches go away by themselves?

Facial twitches can go away by themselves and often do without any treatment if the trigger is addressed with a change in your lifestyle. If they get worse or don’t go away, see a doctor.

3. When should I see a neurologist for facial twitching?

You should see a neurologist if the facial twitches get progressively worse for weeks, affect only one side of your face, and are difficult to control and disruptive to your everyday life. You should also consider consulting a neurologist if they are accompanied by facial weakness, a lack of feeling in your face, or difficulty with your speech.