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How to Stop an Annoying Eyelid Twitch

“Sometimes my eyelid twitches, and it’s embarrassing. What can I do to make it stop?”

There can be many different reasons for eyelid twitches, and the way to get them to stop is to address the actual cause.

In some rare cases, an eyelid twitch could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that causes dryness throughout the body and destroys tear glands.

It is also possible to get twitching from everyday dry eyes, pink eye or as a side effect from medication, such as antihistamines, some antidepressants and epilepsy drugs.

However, too much stress is the biggest cause of eyelid twitching. Coming up with a plan to address the factors contributing to stress is key. Some great stress-reducing tools include meditation, acupuncture and regular exercise. You may also need to get more sleep and/or cut down on alcohol and caffeine.

Magnesium citrate can help with eyelid twitches, too. I usually recommend a 150-mg magnesium citrate supplement taken once or twice a day for two to four weeks. (Check first with your doctor if you have heart or kidney disease or take medication.) Magnesium will help relax muscles while you treat the underlying cause of the twitching. Magnesium deficiency itself can also lead to eyelid twitching.

Consult your doctor if the twitching persists.

Source: Samantha Brody, ND, LAc, a naturopathic physician, licensed acupuncturist and founder of the Evergreen Health Center, Portland, Oregon. DrSamantha.com