- Published by: Laima Jansons
Facial tics can affect different muscle groups, including the lip muscles. The phenomenon of lips twitching is unpleasant and noticeable to others. It signals problems in the body, so twitching facial muscles cannot be ignored. Stressful situations, fatigue and overexertion lead to the appearance of false diseases. For a long time, our body tries to resist, but then, if adequate measures are not taken, this will result in mental disorders.
Most common reasons
Why does my upper lip twitch? The most common reasons:
- Most often this is a manifestation of nervousness. Facial tics occur due to disturbances in the conduction of nerve impulses. Often patients have a question: “Why does the upper lip twitch in the middle and what to do in such a situation?” First of all, you should consult a neurologist. He will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe sedatives.
- Mineral deficiency, particularly magnesium. In this case, muscle cramps in the legs and arms may also occur.
- The recovery period after surgery, after heavy blood loss. In order for the body to recover faster, you should maintain bed rest, avoid stress, and also take a good quality vitamin and mineral complex. It is also important to replenish magnesium deficiency in the body; Magne B6 is ideal for this.
- Why does the upper lip twitch after traumatic brain injury? Yes, impacts and brain injuries are another common cause of discomfort. As a rule, the reason lies in poor circulation. You should contact a neurologist - he will prescribe suitable medications, the use of which will help to quickly get rid of the problem.
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Diagnosis methods
The presence of a facial tic is determined by a neurologist during a visual examination of the patient. To determine the reasons that caused twitching of the lower lip, instrumental and laboratory examination methods are used. The table below lists the main diagnostic methods that are used for patients with this symptom.
| Examination method | Purpose and average cost |
| MRI of the brain | Using this diagnostic method, the general condition of the central nervous system and the blood vessels that supply it are determined. MRI allows you to detect foci of inflammation and tumor growths in the structure of the brain. The price of this examination is from 2900 rubles. |
| Venous blood analysis | Laboratory testing of a patient’s venous blood is necessary to obtain data on possible infection of the body with a viral or bacterial infection, the pathogens of which disrupt the functioning of the nervous system. The average cost of this diagnostic is from 510 rubles. |
| CT scan of the brain | During a CT scan of the brain, photographs are taken of the structural areas of the patient’s central nervous system in several planes. This examination method is comparable to radiography, but is carried out on the basis of computer technology. Price for CT scan of the brain is from RUB 3,500. |
MRI of the head.
What is normal? Depending on the clinical symptoms present in a particular patient, a neurologist may prescribe other additional diagnostic methods. For example, conducting an electroencephalogram or neuropsychiatric examination.
Why does a child's upper lip twitch?
It would seem that children have no stress and there is no reason for the development of pathologies of the nervous system. However, doctors have a different opinion: more and more babies are being born with neurological problems. Why does a child's upper lip twitch on the left side (or right)? As a rule, this indicates that there are problems with the conduction of nerve impulses on one side or another. When making a diagnosis, the fact in which exact place the face twitches usually does not play a significant role.
Why does the upper lip twitch in teenagers? If there have been no traumatic brain injuries over the past few years, if the teenager has not undergone surgery, then most likely this is a manifestation of a common nervous tic. Below are recommendations on how to improve the condition and get rid of tic.
Real life examples
Some famous people, whose fame sometimes trumpets all over the world, were also hostage to the pathology of the facial nerve.
Sylvester Stallone, who is known for his enchanting roles, was injured at birth. The actor's mother had a difficult birth and he had to be pulled with forceps. The result is damage to the vocal cords and paresis of the left side of the face. Because of this, Stallone had problems with speech, which became a reason for ridicule from his peers.
The actor grew up as a difficult child. But, in spite of everything, he managed to overcome his defect and achieve considerable success, although partial immobility of his face remained.
Domestic showman Dmitry Nagiyev received facial asymmetry, which was nicknamed “Nagiyev’s squint”, due to paresis of the facial nerve. The illness happened unexpectedly. As a theater student, one day he felt that his face was not moving.
He spent 1.5 months in the hospital to no avail. But one day in his room a window broke due to a draft. Fright provoked a partial return of mobility and sensitivity of the facial part, but the left part retained its immobility.
Facial tics and nervous tension
So, we have found the most common reason why the upper lip twitches on the left or right. Facial nervous tics almost always occur due to high nervous tension. This could be a period of passing exams, a conflict situation in the family, separation from a loved one, or the death of someone close. There are a lot of situations in our world that can cause nervous tension even in the most mentally stable person. Why does the upper lip twitch and what to do in this case if it is a facial nervous tic?
The best way out in such a situation is to abstract yourself as much as possible from the traumatic situation. Try to take time off if work is stressful. Some people often decide to quit in order to maintain a healthy psycho-emotional background. If the reason is a toxic relationship, then it is better to get out of it. If the patient is plagued by constant conflicts in the family, you should think about living separately.
Dermatillomania
Neurosis of the face and scalp can manifest itself in a behavioral disorder such as dermatillomania.
Its main manifestation is scratching the skin of the face and head, not because of itching, but because of dissatisfaction with its appearance. This also includes an obsessive zeal to squeeze out pimples, scratch off scabs, and pull out hair. Self-injurious actions cause a short-term feeling of pleasure, followed by feelings of shame, frustration, and dissatisfaction.
The face of such patients is covered with scars and scars due to constant trauma to the skin. This process is uncontrollable and can occur at any time of the day. But most often traumatic actions are carried out in front of a mirror.
Symptoms of the disorder also include the habit of biting the lips and mucous membranes of the cheeks. Patients are not deterred by the prospect of redness, bleeding, and scarring of the skin. They repeat the ritual day after day. It lasts from a few minutes to an hour.
Such actions can be provoked by feelings of fear, anxiety, and close examination of one’s skin because there is nothing to do.
Dermatillomania has been described as a state of addiction. It begins with concentrating on what the patient thinks is a skin defect. Gradually, attention is increasingly focused on this detail. A person begins to think that he is sick with something serious. This provokes irritability and nervousness in him, leading to obsessive actions.
The root cause of the disease is rooted in the psychological state of a person and lies in self-dissatisfaction, anger, feelings of shame and malice. Traumatic rituals are a way of punishment, self-flagellation.
Treatment of this pathology requires the intervention of a psychotherapist and a dermatologist.
The main method of treating addiction is psychotherapy, in particular cognitive behavioral therapy.
Yoga, physical exercise, relaxation procedures, as well as any hobby that absorbs a person and helps redirect attention will help reduce anxiety, distract and relax.
The help of a dermatologist is necessary to eliminate skin lesions in order to prevent infection and reduce the degree of dermatological defect.
Which doctor should I contact?
Often, patients are so worried about a nervous tic that they search on forums for an answer to the question: “Why does the upper lip twitch in the middle, what medications to take and how to get rid of it?” The first rule is not to panic and under no circumstances self-medicate. Really powerful sedatives are available by prescription.
If the problem has become acute, you should contact a neurologist and describe the symptoms in detail. Perhaps the facial tic is accompanied by leg or arm cramps, or a frequent headache? You should definitely inform your doctor about this. The more detailed the story, the easier it will be for the doctor to draw up a clinical picture and select medications that will quickly help solve the problem.
When lip trembling is a dangerous sign
Many quite healthy people's hands shake and their lips tremble due to excitement. Trembling appears after a sleepless night. There is no need to be nervous about this - proper sleep and sedatives will bring the nervous system into normal tone.
But it happens that trembling lips and other tics are a dangerous sign of a serious illness.
Let's consider situations when a doctor's consultation is urgently needed:
- High blood pressure, pronounced pulsation of the carotid arteries, the left or right side of the face begins to go numb, the lips and chin tremble, the mouth is distorted - symptoms that require urgent treatment. During a conversation, a person expresses himself unintelligibly and incomprehensibly. The clinical picture suggests a stroke. Home treatment methods will not help; urgent hospitalization in a neurosurgical hospital is required.
- Severe pain on the face , pulsation of the corners of the mouth, lips, and increased temperature mean trigeminal neuralgia. It is not recommended to start the pathological process. To avoid serious consequences, consult your doctor.
- In some cases, a nervous tic is a mask for psychiatric diseases (schizophrenia, bipolar personality disorder). Additional symptoms are inappropriate behavior, switching from one topic to another in the middle of a conversation, obsessive thoughts, ideas.
- of the orbicularis oris muscle occurs as a result of inflammation.
If lip tremor is accompanied by the listed manifestations, then you should not delay - you need to go to the clinic.
Groups of medications used for tics
So, we found out why the upper lip twitches. What drugs are commonly used to get rid of this unpleasant problem?
Homeopathic treatment
The cause of the disease is in the human brain and psyche. Homeopathy helps eliminate unpleasant manifestations and prevent negative consequences.
What medications are prescribed for twitching lip syndrome:
- Cicuta virosa , the drug is prescribed for the treatment of meningitis, convulsive diseases and convulsions.
- Alumina , Helleborus, Apocynum - cure unilateral tics.
- Cocculus , Gelsemium - with twitching of the lower or upper jaw.
- Agaricus is used to treat seizures and tics.
- Argentum nitricum is effective for neurological disorders.
- Arsenicum album is prescribed for severe agitation and headaches.
- Ignatia is effective for hysteria and severe irritability.
- Nux vomica is prescribed for nervous disorders.
- Bryonia is effective for neuralgia and neuritis.
- Natrum sulfurum - for twitching facial muscles.
Taking antidepressants: justified or not?
The minimum duration of a course of antidepressants is three months. Many patients are forced to take this type of medication for years, as negative symptoms return after discontinuation. However, often it is antidepressants that help a person live a full life, forget about anxiety, fears, panic attacks, and facial tics.
The most popular prescription antidepressants today are:
Often a mild tranquilizer is also prescribed in parallel - for example, Atarax. This scheme helps to quickly reduce the patient’s psycho-emotional stress.
Mild sedatives
Often, to get rid of facial tics, neurologists prescribe the following sedatives:
- "Novopassit";
- "Travisil";
- "Afobazole";
- "Berocca".
The average duration of treatment is about two months. Some patients note that facial nervous tics disappear within the first week of treatment.
Herbal sedative for nervous tics
Herbal tea "Fitosedan" is a tea made from natural herbs - valerian, motherwort, hops. Normalizes sleep and has a mild calming effect. If the facial tic is not clearly expressed and only bothers you during periods of stress, then you can get by with taking Phytosedan.
The product can be purchased at any pharmacy; you do not need a prescription from a doctor. The duration of treatment is about one month. “Phytosedan” does not cause drug dependence; you can stop taking it at any time without fear that it will negatively affect your psychological or physical state.
What can you do at home?
If your lip or tip of your mouth twitches, you can perform a self-massage - massage your forehead, temples, wings of the nose, earlobes, and neck. Relax, relax, or take an aromatic bath. Drink tea from lemon balm, mint, thyme and motherwort. If this condition occurs in a child, it is recommended to take the following measures:
- distract the child (but not with a computer or TV);
- do not focus the baby’s attention on this symptom;
- protect from stress;
- establish proper sleep;
- visit a doctor.
Prevention of facial nervous tics
Even if you managed to get rid of a nervous tic, there is a high probability that the problems will return in the next stressful situation. How to keep your nervous system calm and prevent the problem from returning?
Source
Migraine
This condition is accompanied by attacks of unbearable headache. It is also associated with disruption of the trigeminal nerve, or more precisely, with its irritation in one part of the head. This is where the pain is subsequently localized.
The onset of migraine includes several stages:
- initial;
- aura;
- painful;
- final one.
Paresthesia of the head and face appears with the development of the aura stage. In this case, the patient is bothered by a feeling of tingling and crawling, which occurs in the arm and gradually moves to the neck and head. The person’s face becomes numb and it becomes difficult for him to speak. I am concerned about dizziness and visual disturbances in the form of light flashes, floaters and a decrease in the field of vision.
Facial paresthesia is a precursor to migraine, but often the attack occurs without the aura stage.
