Contents:
- Medical Video: Hemifacial Spasm - Mayo Clinic
- What are the causes of twitch lips?
- 1. Lack of potassium
- 2. Excess caffeine
- 3. Certain drugs
- 4. Bell's palsy
- 5. Parkinson's
- 6. Tourette's syndrome
- 7. Trauma
- 8. Stress
Medical Video: Hemifacial Spasm - Mayo Clinic
Not just eyes that can twitch, your lips too. Twitching can occur on the upper lip or lower lip only. The twitch lip is basically the result of a communication error between the lip nerve and the muscle that controls it.
What are the causes of twitch lips?
1. Lack of potassium
One characteristic of your body lacking potassium is often twitching, including the lips. This is because potassium acts to transmit nerve signals from the brain throughout the body.
2. Excess caffeine
Twitching lips are a sign that you have drunk too much coffee. The caffeine content in coffee works to stimulate the central nervous system to trigger the release of the hormone serotonin and noradrenaline. Both of these hormones cause muscles to overreact to motor nerve signals. So don't be surprised if your lips are easily twitched after drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day.
3. Certain drugs
Some prescription drugs and generic drugs are known to have side effects of twitching in the muscles. These include steroid drugs, diuretics, and the hormone synthetic estrogen.
4. Bell's palsy
Bell's palsy is one side facial paralysis due to inflammation and swelling of the peripheral nerves that control facial muscles. Some people may experience twitching on their lips. Either on the upper lip or the lower lip only, or on the right or left side only.
The cause of Bell's palsy is unknown, but is usually associated with a viral infection.
5. Parkinson's
Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological disease that makes it difficult for the sufferer to move. This disease with muscle stiffness or small tremor in the part of the hand or foot is getting worse over time. Tremor can also occur in the area of the lower lip and around the chin
Generally, Parkinson's attacks men who are over 50 years old.
6. Tourette's syndrome
Tourette's syndrome is a disorder of the brain's nervous system which causes a pattern of movements that occurs suddenly unintentionally, repetitive, and cannot be controlled. These symptoms can appear on any part of the body (face, hand, or leg).
Men are 4 times more likely to experience this syndrome than women and symptoms usually appear at the age of 2-15 years.
7. Trauma
Twitch lips can also be caused by trauma, such as a head injury that affects the brain stem. This injury can damage the facial nerves, causing the lip muscles to contract
8. Stress
Stress, anxiety, and extreme fatigue can also make lips twitch. The high stress hormone cortisol can make facial muscles stiff or easily twitch.
