Eye Twitch & Magnesium

Estimated reading time: 3:00 min.

What helps when the eyelid twitches?

When the eyelid twitches, it is mainly annoying. Even though eyelid twitching usually occurs only temporarily and usually has no serious background, the uncontrolled muscle twitching nevertheless makes many sufferers uncomfortable. Here you can find out what causes the involuntary movements and how eye twitching can be related to magnesium deficiency.

What is eyelid twitching?

When the eyelid twitches, it is perceived as a fine tremor under the skin. However, eyelid twitching is not a disease, but often a harmless symptom. Among doctors, eyelid twitching is also called fasciculation, because the twitching occurs in the so-called fascicles (small muscle bundles).

The twitching is felt on either the lower or upper eyelid, never on both eyelids at the same time. While many notice the eyelid twitching for only a short time, in other patients it can even last for weeks.

The causes of eyelid twitching

Common triggers for eyelid twitching are nervousness and stress. However, other factors can also lead to overstress reactions and thus promote eyelid twitching:

Thus, eye twitching can mean a deficiency of magnesium. This is because an undersupply can impair communication between nerve and muscle, which can trigger twitching of the eyelid but also, for example, muscle and calf cramps.

How is eye twitching related to magnesium?

Magnesium is involved in over 300 bodily functions and thus has a major impact on our health. Among other things, magnesium is also responsible for the transmission of stimuli in the nerve cells. However, if there is too little magnesium in the body, the transmission of nerve impulses no longer functions smoothly.

While stimuli are normally only transmitted above a certain intensity, even weak impulses are transmitted in the case of a magnesium deficiency. Nerves can then become highly excited, which disturbs the interaction between muscle and nerve and can lead to uncontrolled muscle contractions, such as eyelid twitching.

Tips for eyelid twitching

At the beginning of a successful treatment there is always the recognition of the cause, i.e. the question why the eyelid twitches. This is because, depending on the trigger of the twitch, various measures are particularly helpful in bringing about relief:

Treat eye twitching with magnesium

If eye twitching is related to a magnesium deficiency, a balanced diet rich in magnesium can provide help. Specific magnesium foods include nuts, bananas, berries and whole grain products.

Pregnant women, athletes, diabetics, patients with chronic kidney disease and highly stressed individuals in particular have an increased daily magnesium requirement and should therefore pay attention to their diet.

Relaxation for the eyes

If nervous twitches are due to dry and heavily strained eyes (e.g., from working at a computer screen for long periods), attention should be paid to regular breaks. Relaxation exercises specially designed for the eye region or gentle massages of the affected eyelid can also help to relieve the muscles.

Sufficient sleep

Since our body comes to rest and regenerates during sleep phases, it is not surprising that too little sleep affects the entire organism. The eyes and the eye ring muscle are also affected by acute sleep deprivation, which can eventually lead to twitching of the eyelids. In this case, just a few hours of sleep and, at best, a regular sleep routine should help alleviate eyelid twitching.

Not too much caffeine

Caffeine is a wake-up call. For many people, a good morning therefore starts with one or even several cups of coffee. Caffeine stimulates and invigorates, increasing muscle tone. Because large amounts can therefore cause muscles to twitch, caffeine consumption should be limited for eyelid twitching.

Stress relief

Regardless of whether eye twitching is related to magnesium or triggered by an overload reaction, regular time off and relaxation are generally recommended. All activities that contribute to stress reduction relieve the entire body and thus also the eyes.

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When to see a doctor for eyelid twitching?

In many cases, eyelid twitching is harmless and there is usually no cause for concern. However, if the twitching occurs regularly over a long period of time and none of the mentioned treatment options leads to relief, it is advisable to consult an ophthalmologist. The doctor will then determine which treatment options are possible.

For example, he can check whether there is an uncorrected defective vision that puts a lot of strain on the eye. Compensation of the visual defect often leads to relaxation of the eyes, which often also makes twitching eyelids a thing of the past.

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