Nervous Tick: What to do if an eye twitches
OLGA LUKINSKAYA
Involuntary rhythmic contractions of the century muscles usually denoted by the expression "an eye twitched" - and this condition is familiar to almost every person. In itself, it is not dangerous to health, but sometimes it can significantly interfere, distracting from cases. Internet search results can be intimidating: among the conditions described as causes of tic, there is glaucoma, Bell's paralysis, and even multiple sclerosis. We understand when it is really necessary to sound the alarm and which methods help to stop the twitching eye in most cases.
What is the reason and how to help yourself
Muscles contract, receiving nerve impulses, and they, in turn, are caused by the electrical activity of the brain. Sometimes this electrical activity becomes chaotic for a second - something like a “flash” arises, forcing the muscles of the eyelid to contract. In most cases, this occurs when fatigue, high levels of stress, agitation due to an excess of caffeine or with excessive strain on the eyes themselves. If a tick has appeared, you should pay attention to the amount of coffee and tea you drink, engage in a regimen and set up sleep.
Experts of the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommend reducing stress (and therefore, getting enough sleep, meditating and being physically active) and paying attention to the state of the eyes. Tick can be triggered by their fatigue, dryness, irritation, so that moisturizing drops and a timer will come to the rescue, forcing him to regularly distract from the screens for a few minutes. It is advisable to take up workplace hygiene - in particular, to adjust the lighting in order not to sit in the twilight, but also not to irritate the eyes with too bright light.
In general, if the body with a twitching eye signals accumulated fatigue, do not ignore these signals. If simple measures did not help in a few days, and the level of stress or anxiety does not decrease, it may be necessary to fight them more seriously - with the help of drugs or non-drug methods like psychotherapy.
If the tick gets worse
Sometimes muscle contraction of the eyelids is not a symptom of stress, but an independent disease, benign essential blepharospasm. Usually it is characterized not only by twitching of the eyelid, but by blinking with the complete closure of one or both eyes. This is a neurological disorder in which muscles constantly receive impulses that cause them to contract. Essential blepharospasm is more common in women and can seriously affect the quality of life - for example, do not allow to drive a car. The cause of this disorder cannot be eliminated, but blepharospasm can be removed with botulinum toxin injections - so far this is the most effective method. In severe cases, if Botox does not help, doctors may suggest surgery.
If during blepharospasm, the muscles of the eyelids on both sides usually contract, then in hemifacial spasm, the muscles of the face are different from one side. This is also a local neurological process, which is not dangerous, but is very unpleasant - and the first treatment choice will be botulinum toxin injections to stop involuntary movements.
Other reasons
If you have once been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and have begun to twitch the eyelid against the background of a stabilized condition, it is worth visiting an endocrinologist; perhaps you need to adjust the dose of medication or make some changes in therapy. Tick may be an undesirable effect of certain drugs, in particular, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics and diuretics.
For more dangerous causes, such as multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the jerking eye is unlikely to be their first sign. Such diseases are manifested by other, more significant symptoms, and by the time a tic appears, most likely, they will already be diagnosed. So jerking an eye is not a reason for panic, even if the search results on the Internet say the opposite. Most likely, a tick is just a signal from the body that it’s time to pause.
PHOTO: Nickelodeon