OMG Digital Magazine OMG Issue 333 29nd November 2018 | Page 30

OMG Digital Magazine | 333 | Thursday 29 November 2018 • PAGE 30
Health
What causes your
lip to twitch?
By Jon Johnson
Someone with a twitching lip will often experience quick
movements or trembling sensations in their lip without
doing anything. Twitching lips can be annoying and hard
to ignore.
Lip twitching is the result of a miscommunication between
the lip nerve and the muscles it controls. This could be due
to everyday things, such as too much caffeine. However,
it could also be a sign of something more serious.
Treatment is largely based on the cause of the sporadic
lip movement. In this article, we cover causes, treatments,
and when to see a doctor.
Fast facts on lip twitching:
Lip twitching is the involuntary movement of muscles
in the lip. The muscles in the face and lips are controlled
by the facial nerve. If the twitches are exaggerated and
noticeable, they may feel embarrassing.
Why is my lip muscle twitching?
An involuntary twitching of the lips can be annoying and
difficult to ignore. There are many causes for lip twitching,
with some being simple everyday habits. Twitching
usually occurs in the upper or lower lip separately, as
the lips are independent of one another. Possible causes
for lip twitching include ingesting too much caffeine,
a  potassiumdeficiency, reactions to certain medications
or drugs, and various medical conditions. It can even be
caused by stress or tiredness.
Twelve possible causes of lip
twitching are discussed below.
Caffeine intoxication
Caffeine is a common drug found in coffee and tea, soft
drinks, and some snacks. Too much caffeine may cause
jitters, excessive energy, and muscle twitches. Caffeine
intoxication may also cause symptoms, including:
•
abnormal heartbeat
• irritation
•
increased urination
• excitement
•
restless hands or feet
• nervousness
•
upset stomach or nausea
• insomnia
Treating caffeine intoxication is simple, only requiring a
person to reduce or eliminate the amount of caffeine they
have each day.
Potassium deficiency
Potassium is necessary to properly carry nerve signals in
the body. A deficiency could negatively affect the muscles,
causing spasms and cramps practically anywhere,
including the lips. Treating potassium deficiency involves
avoiding any foods or medications that could be lowering
potassium levels. Also, people should eat a potassium-rich
diet or take potassium supplements.
Certain medications
Some medications may cause muscle-twitching. Drugs,
such as steroids and estrogens, may cause the twitching,
but any prescription or over-the-counter drugs that
list fasciculation as a side effect could be causing this
sensation in the lips. The easiest treatment for twitching
caused by medication is to switch to a different one. This
should be done under the supervision of a doctor to avoid
any side effects or other complications.
Stress and fatigue
Stress,  anxiety, and extreme fatigue may also cause lip
twitching. A body under constant stress may be locked
into the fight or flight response, which could make the
muscles in the face tighten up necessarily.
Stress relieving techniques, including  yoga, meditation,
and getting a full night’s sleep may reduce stress or
fatigue levels enough for someone to find relief.
Drug tremors
Drugs that include alcohol and narcotics may also
cause facial twitches. Twitches can be a sign of nerve
irritation caused by these drugs. There may also be
severe withdrawal symptoms from them. Treating
these tremors may include eliminating the drugs and
taking  vitamin  supplements or prescription medications
for the symptoms.
Bell’s palsy
Bell’s palsy  causes weakness or paralysis of the facial
muscles. The condition can have different symptoms in
each case. Some people with Bell’s palsy may experience
their lips twitching, while others may have trouble
controlling the muscles of the face at all. The exact cause
of Bell’s palsy is unknown, but doctors believe it is linked
to the oral herpes virus.
Treatment of Bell’s palsy is based on the symptoms
a person is experiencing and may include  physical
therapy or medications, such as steroids.
Hemifacial spasm
Hemifacial spasms are muscle spasms that occur on one
side of the face. The condition could be caused by irritation
of the nerve that controls the facial muscles. It may also
be caused by a blood vessel or a tumor compressing the
nerve. The condition is rare and can be diagnosed using
imaging tests and neurological exams. Treating hemifacial
spasm may involve surgery in some cases. Regular Botox
injections can also be used to freeze the affected muscles
to stop twitching.
Trauma
A twitching lip may also be caused by past trauma. An
injury to the brain stem may have damaged the facial
nerve, which could cause the facial muscles to twitch.
An injury to the muscles of the face may also damage the
nerves, which could lead to mixed signals in the brain and
twitches in the surrounding area.
Hormone deficiency
Hormonal imbalance, which can happen with age or due
to conditions such as hypoparathyroidism, may show
itself as a twitching lip.
People with hypoparathyroidism have a low production
of parathyroid hormone. This can lead to symptoms,
including facial twitching, hair loss, and muscle weakness.
Treatment is usually to manage symptoms, which includes
replenishing the parathyroid hormone in the body and
taking regular calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Tourette syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes both motor
and speech tics. The tics can be embarrassing and make
daily life difficult. The exact cause of the disorder is
uncertain, though it is believed to be a combination of
genetic and environmental factors. There is no known
cure for Tourette syndrome, and treatment usually
involves treating the symptoms as best as possible.
Treatments could include Botox injections to help stop
motor tics, such as lip twitching, as well as other chemical
medications, counseling, or behavioral therapy.
Parkinson’s disease
Lower lip twitching may be an early sign of Parkinson’s,
along with tremors in the hands or legs. The disease gets
worse over time, and there is no known cure. Treatment
for Parkinson’s usually involves arresting further
deterioration in the nerves and replenishing dopamine
and nerve-strengthening vitamins in the brain. Early
diagnosis gives a person with Parkinson’s disease the best
chance to retain as much function as possible.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
ALS, or  Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a condition that mainly
affects the nerves that control voluntary muscles.
Messages from the brain are sent through these nerves to
the muscles. In someone with ALS, the nerves start to die
off. This can cause muscle weakness and twitching, as well
as slurred speech. The disease gets worse over time, and it
is considered a terminal condition.
There is no cure for ALS, though new drugs, such as
edaravone (Radicava) have recently been  approved by
the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It
is hoped these can help treat people with ALS and slow
the degeneration of their daily functioning.
Everything you need to know about eyelid twitch
Another common area for a twitch to happen is on the
eyelid. Learn more about the best ways to treat and
prevent an eyelid twitch.