Most ofen it’s
a medical
phenomenon
known as benign essential
blepharospasm, in
which the eyelid muscles
twitch involuntarily for
an unpredictable length
of time. It’s usually
harmless—but annoying!
I don’t like to be too
dismissive of blepharospasm,
however, because
it’s ofen a result of
fatigue and stress (if not
caused by a direct irritant).
Chronic fatigue
and stress can take a
serious toll on your
health in ways that go
beyond an eye twitch,
including high blood
pressure. Scientists
aren’t sure why, but high
stress levels can cause
a part of your brain in
charge of muscle control
(the basal ganglia) to
function abnormally.
This can cause the
nerves around your eyelid
to essentially misfire.
So if you’re feeling
rundown,
think of that
twitch as a reminder to
take care of yourself. Get
enough sleep, and don’t
overdose on caffeine or
alcohol—factors that put
extra stress on your body
and may worsen the
twitch. Consider making
time for some mindbody
wellness, whether
that’s yoga, meditation,
or a massage.
If you
get your stress level in
check, odds are good
that the blepharospasm
will stop. If it persists
or is accompanied by
concerning symptoms,
see your doctor to verify
the diagnosis and discuss
possible treatments.
Source:
Travis Stork, MD, is an ER
physician, cohost of TV’s The
Doctors, and the author of The
Lean Belly Prescription.
