A twitching lip develops when the lips tremble or shake involuntarily, which can be annoying and hard to ignore. Lip twitching can be a sign of a medical issue that shouldn’t be ignored. There are several other causes of lip twitching, with some being simple regular habits. Twitching typically develops in the upper or lower lip separately. Some of the possible causes for lip twitching include having too much caffeine, potassium deficiency, or reactions to certain medications. However, it may also suggest more serious health conditions such as parathyroid conditions or brain disorders, where prompt detection can be vital for offering effective treatment.
Causes Of Lip Twitching
Excess Intake Of Caffeine
Caffeine is a potent stimulant that causes lip twitching if you consume it in excess amounts and this condition is medically termed as caffeine intoxication. Well, a person may have this problem if he or she drinks more than 3 cups of coffee per day and experiences at least any 5 of the below symptoms:
- Muscle twitching
- Excessive energy
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Increased urine output
- Nervousness
- Confused speech
- Flushed face
- Upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea
- Abnormal heartbeat
Reducing or eliminating caffeine intake can remarkably help a person ease symptoms.
Medications
Muscle twitching is a well-known downside of several prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, estrogens, and diuretics. Talk with your doctor about changing medications.
Potassium Deficiency
The deficiency of potassium in the body may lead to lip-twitching. Potassium is a vital mineral that maintains electrolyte balance and supports transmitting nerve signals in the body.
Low levels of potassium negatively affect the muscles and result in spasms and cramps. Treatment for this includes adding potassium-rich foods to the meal plan.
Also Read: 5 Foods Abundant In Potassium That Are Incredibly Healthy – Infographic
Alcoholic Neuropathy
Drugs and alcohol are known to cause significant damage to the nerves and affect brain functioning. If a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs for a longer duration, then he may have facial spasms like lip twitching and could have alcoholic neuropathy.
Treatments include restricting alcohol consumption and taking vitamin supplements.
Bell’s Palsy
People with Bell’s palsy usually experience temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. However, this condition can show different symptoms in each case, few people with Bell’s palsy may have lip twitching, while others have trouble controlling the muscles of the face at all.
The most common treatment for Bell’s palsy is taking prescription steroids and getting physical therapy.
Also Read: Bell’s Palsy: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Stress
Stress, nervousness, and extreme tiredness may also cause lip twitching. A person under persistent stress may be locked into a fight or flight stimulus, which can make the muscles in the face tighten up.
To lower stress and uplift health practice yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, cultivate hobbies, and get a sound sleep.
Hemifacial Spasms/ Tics
Hemifacial spasms are muscle spasms that develop on one side of the face and are common in women over 40. Though not fatal, it can be quite annoying and uncomfortable.
This condition occurs as the seventh cranial nerve gets damaged, which affects the facial muscles. It could be also caused because of a blood vessel pressing on the nerve.
Botox injections are a common form of treatment, and they need to be repeated every six months to remain effective.
Tourette Syndrome
This disorder causes a person to make involuntary sounds or movements respectively. Tourette syndrome involves motor and speech tics and is uncomfortable but not physically painful or threatening.
Treatment includes physical therapy and medication, and Botox may be the most effective form of treatment to correct motor tics such as lip twitching.
Parkinson’s Disease
This disease is a brain disorder that results in tremors, stiffness, and slow movements. It is a degenerative disease and early symptoms include slight tremors of the lower lip, chin, hands, or leg.
Treatment involves medications to restore dopamine levels in the brain and in severe cases surgery.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a brain disease that affects the nerves and spinal cord. Some of the symptoms related to (ALS) include twitching, slurred speech, and muscle weakness. It is degenerative and fatal.
Generally, doctors prescribe medications to treat this condition.
Hypoparathyroidism
It is a condition where parathyroid glands make very low levels of parathyroid hormone, which leads to low calcium and high phosphorus levels in the system.
One of the common symptoms of hypoparathyroidism is twitching around the mouth, throat, and hands.
Taking calcium-rich foods or calcium, vitamin D supplements and parathyroid hormone injections may help to manage the condition.
Diagnosis
Lip twitching is a motor symptom that allows the physician to look out for tremors the patient experiences. A complete physical examination to check other symptoms may be one of the possible ways for the doctor to diagnose what’s causing the twitching. Further, the doctor may also ask a few questions about lifestyle habits like how frequently you drink coffee or alcohol to rule out other possibilities.
If no other symptoms are prominent, then the doctor may suggest certain blood works, urine analysis and MRI or CT scan to confirm the contributing health conditions for twitching.
Ways To Prevent Lip Twitching
As there are several potential causes of lip tremors, thus the main goal of treatment is to address the individual causes. For a few people, the simplest way to prevent lip twitching is to add foods rich in potassium, while for others, getting Botox injections is the best option.
Some of the home remedies that may help include:
- Restrict coffee intake to less than three cups or refrain caffeine from the diet
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Add more foods loaded with potassium such as bananas, broccoli, spinach, and avocado.
- Give hot compression to lips using a warm cloth
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Lip Twitching Indicate?
Lip twitching can indicate stress,fatigue, or muscle strain.
Can Lip Twitching Be Harmless?
Yes, lip twitching can be harmless in some cases depending upon the cause. At times, it may resolve on its own.
What Neurological Disorder Causes Lip Twitching?
Conditions like facial nerve disorders, dystonia, Bell’s palsy and Hemifacial spasm can cause lip twitching.
When Should I Worry About Facial Twitching?
If facial twitching persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms, you must consult a doctor.
What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Lip Twitching?
A deficiency in magnesium calcium, or vitamin B12 can sometimes cause lip twitching.
Is Lip Twitching A Seizure?
Lip twitching is generally not a seizure, but it could be a type of focal seizure in some cases.
How Do You Know If Twitching Is Serious?
Twitching may be serious if it's frequent, persistent, or associated with other neurological symptoms.
Can Stress Cause Lip Twitching?
Stress can lead to physical symptoms, including muscle twitching. The heightened state of arousal associated with stress can cause involuntary muscle movements around the lips.
(This article is reviewed by Soumita Basu, Ayurveda Pharma Expert)
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M Sowmya Binu:
With over 15 years of experience and a Postgraduate Degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional. She specializes in creating personalized diet plans, emphasizing the integration of medication with dietary intake for overall wellness. Passionate about educating individuals, Sowmya develops insightful content covering food, nutrition, supplements, and health.
References:
- Lip Tremor in Hypocalcaemia
Niraj Kumar, and Ved Prakash
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7055644/
- https://www.jwatch.org/jn201303120000002/2013/03/12/neurology-case-diagnosis-involuntary
