This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.
There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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To stop an irritating eye or body twitch, consider what may be causing it. Visit your doctor to rule out any serious medical conditions and see if any of your medications may be to blame. Try to get more sleep and cut back on caffeine, which could be to blame for your twitching. Moisturize and rest your eyes as much as possible to combat eye twitches.
Steps
Ruling Out Serious Causes
Visit your doctor. While muscle twitches are common and often benign, they can sometimes be a sign of a serious illness. Visit your doctor if your twitches last longer than a few weeks or begin to hinder your life. They can test for serious conditions, such as:[1]- Bell's Palsy.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
- Tourette Syndrome.
- Glaucoma.
- Autoimmune disorders such as Lupus.
- Electrolyte imbalance, which can affect your organs.
Ask your doctor to evaluate you for Restless Leg Syndrome. Regular twitching in your legs may be due to Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), a condition that causes the unavoidable urge to move your lower limbs. Ask your doctor to evaluate your leg twitching, despite the fact that no concrete test exists to identify RLS. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor may prescribe you an anti-seizure medication or iron supplements to reduce the symptoms.[2]- Mild RLS may be eased with simple lifestyle changes, such as getting more sleep.
- Be sure to give your doctor accurate details about the severity and duration of your leg twitches.
Take stock of any medications you are taking. There are a number of medications that can cause twitching while you are taking them. Antidepressants, cold and allergy medications, and anti-nausea treatments can all contribute to eye and body twitches. Take note of all the medications you are talking, both prescription and over-the-counter, and ask your doctor which one might be the culprit.[3]
Address any mental health issues you may be facing. Stress, anxiety, and other psychological issues can cause twitches or make them worse. If you are experiencing eye or body twitches, consider evaluating your mental health by visiting a talk therapist, psychiatrist, or counselor. Consult online resources provided by your local government's health services department, or contact local university health centers to find out about services offered by their psychology or psychiatry departments. [4]Advertisement
Getting Rid of Benign Body Twitches
Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Not getting enough sleep can lead to a variety of health problems and lower your overall brain function during the day. This sleep deficiency may cause or contribute to eye and body twitching. Aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep per night by going to bed earlier, avoiding naps during the day, and turning off your phone and electronics close to bedtime.[5]- If you do need to take a nap, limit it to 30 minutes so that you'll still sleep well at night.
Cut back on caffeine. The stimulating effect of caffeine can put your central nervous system into overdrive, resulting in eye and body twitches. To stop twitching, cut back on your daily caffeine intake and keep it under 400 mg per day. Look for energy-boosting alternatives to coffee, such as green tea.[6]- The maximum recommended daily intake of caffeine (400 mg) equals roughly 4 small cups of regular coffee.
Take a magnesium supplement. Magnesium deficiency is a common cause of body twitches and can be easily detected with blood tests. Ask your doctor if magnesium supplements would be right for you. Alternatively, up your intake of magnesium-rich foods such as spinach, oatmeal, and almonds. [7]- Magnesium supplements are available over the counter at pharmacies and health food stores.
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Stopping Benign Eye Twitching
Use artificial tears to treat dry eyes. Dry eyes, caused by contact lenses, allergies, medications, or age, can cause twitching. Moisturize them by using artificial tear drops, available at drug stores. Apply the drops to your eyes whenever you experience twitching, or when they feel dry.[8]
Avoid eye strain during the day. Eye strain can cause your eyelids to pulsate, resulting in a twitch. Keep your eyes safe from strain by wearing U.V. sunglasses on bright days, and taking frequent breaks from computer, phone, and television screens. If you have a vision problem, always wear your prescription glasses or contacts when trying to read.[9]
Rest your eyes every ten minutes. Your eyes deal with a lot of strain during the day, particularly if you spend your day in front of a computer. Make an effort to take breaks every 10 minutes to relax your eyes. Close your eyes for several seconds, then focus on an object that is far away. This will refocus your vision and relax your eye muscles.[10]Advertisement
Expert Q&A
- QuestionWhat's the reason that I'm twitching in my sleep?
Marc Kayem, MDDr. Marc Kayem is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon based in Beverly Hills, California. He practices and specializes in cosmetic services and sleep-related disorders. He received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Ottawa, is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada.
Sleep SpecialistThere are many reasons why you may be twitching, such as drinking caffeine or taking certain medications. Try cutting them out of your nightly routine, and contact a doctor if the twitching persists.
References
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/twitching-eyes-and-muscles/
- ↑ https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet#4
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/twitching-eyes-and-muscles/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003296.htm
- ↑ https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/muscle-twitching
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/brain/ss/slideshow-twitches-spasms-causes
- ↑ https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/magnesium-test#1
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eyestrain/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372403
About this article
To stop your body twitching, make sure you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night, since a lack of sleep can contribute to twitches. If you drink a lot of caffeine, consider cutting down, as excessive caffeine can affect your nervous system. To stop eye twitching, try using artificial tears to prevent your eyes drying out. You should also take regular breaks from computer, phone, and television screens to reduce twitching from eye strain. If your body twitches last longer than a few weeks or hinder your every day activities, contact your doctor for treatment. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to reduce stress-related twitches, read on!
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