Introduction – How dangerous is this?
If an eyebrow twitches involuntarily, there can be various reasons for this. In most cases, however, this is completely harmless and disappears by itself. Possible triggers can be nervousness, stress, overstimulation or lack of sleep.
Another cause for eyebrow twitching can be a lack of minerals, specifically a lack of magnesium. These nervous twitches also occur in other parts of the body, but we often do not perceive them as such there. However, because the skin on the face is thin and the muscles are so close under the skin, these muscle twitches are more easily perceived there. Very rarely, disturbances in the course of the cranial nerves can also cause such twitches.
The cause
There are various, mostly harmless causes for eyebrow twitching. For example, involuntary nerve potential discharges, also known as fasciculations. These are very rapid contractions of muscle bundles.
These fasciculations are usually not pathological, but unfortunately cannot be influenced. These involuntary muscle twitches can also affect the eye itself. Sometimes even days or weeks can pass until the twitching stops again.
Fasciculations are usually triggered by stress or fatigue. If the eyebrow twitching occurs over a longer period of time or increases in intensity over the course of time, it should be clarified by a doctor to rule out a nervous disease or similar for safety reasons. It is best to consult a neurologist (nerve specialist) for this.
The eyelids are affected more often than the eyebrows. If an eyebrow twitches, it can also be a so-called tic disorder. A distinction is made between motor and vocal tic disorders.
What the causes of a tic disorder are is unfortunately still relatively unknown. Frequently, a motor tic disorder is a squinting of the eyes, but a twitching of the eyebrows can also reflect a tic disorder. Besides stress/overtiredness and a tic disorder, a changed mineral balance is also in the foreground.
A magnesium deficiency in particular plays a role here. A deficiency can lead to various symptoms. These include above all calf cramps, palpitations, falling asleep of the hands and feet, as well as the fasciculations already mentioned.
Neurological causes are also possible causes. For example, nerve compression or a disease of the brain. Our mimic facial muscles are supplied by the facial nerves.
If a constriction occurs in the course of the nerve, which can lead to increased discharges of the nerve, these discharges can manifest themselves in a twitching of the eyebrows. This clinical picture is called facial hemispasm. If the eyebrow twitching occurs over a long period of time or repeatedly or is accompanied by other symptoms, the doctor should clarify whether it is not a brain disorder.
As a rule, however, a neurological cause of eyebrow twitching is very rare. – What can be the cause of eyebrow twitching? – The twitching of the face
A lack of magnesium can be responsible for eyebrow twitching.
The lack of magnesium negatively affects the communication between the individual nerve and muscle fibres, which can cause the eyebrow to twitch. Minerals such as magnesium stabilise the cell and thus ensure that not every impulse is passed on to the cell. Normally we only react in this way to signals above a certain stimulus level.
However, if there is a magnesium deficiency, the membrane becomes more permeable. As a result, nerve cells and neuromuscular fibres are more easily excitable and uncontrolled twitches can occur. A magnesium deficiency can be caused by insufficient intake, e.g. through unbalanced nutrition or as a result of diarrhoea.
On the other hand, a magnesium deficiency can also be caused by increased excretion. This can be the case during heavy physical exercise, pregnancy or in stressful phases of life. Other triggers for low magnesium levels can be diseases such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, celiac disease or high alcohol consumption.
To prevent a magnesium deficiency, more whole grains, seeds and pulses can be eaten. Stress can also cause eyebrow twitching. Working long hours in front of computers and tiredness can increase these twitches.
In addition, stress can cause neck tension, which leads to poor posture. The poor posture can have a negative effect and cause stress or tension in the facial muscles, which triggers the twitching. In order to treat the twitching successfully, this vicious circle should be broken.
Various relaxation methods and physical exercise (e.g. endurance sports or yoga) are recommended for this. In addition, one should sleep sufficiently long to give the body enough time to regenerate. How can stress be reduced?
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