lip quiver meaning when laughing or cold

Dystonia may be focal (affecting an isolated body part), segmental (affecting adjacent body areas, or generalized (affecting many major muscle groups simultaneously). (For more information on this disorder, choose “Bell’s palsy” as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)ĭystonia is a group of neurological movement disorders characterized by involuntary muscle contractions.

There may also be an inherited tendency toward developing Bell’s palsy. The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is not known, but viral (e.g., herpes zoster virus) and immune disorders are frequently implicated as a cause for this disorder. This disorder is characterized by the sudden onset of facial paralysis only on one side that may be preceded by a slight fever, pain behind the ear on the affected side, or a stiff neck. (For more information on this disorder, choose “Meige Syndrome” as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)īell’s palsy is a nonprogressive neurological disorder of one of the facial nerves (7th cranial nerve). Just as in blepharospasm, involuntary eyelid closure may result from spasms of the muscles around the eyes. People in late middle age are most often affected. Meige syndrome, or cranial dystonia, is a rare neurological disorder that is characterized by spasms of all the muscles of the face, including the tongue and jaw. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis: Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of benign essential blepharospasm. Blepharospasm may also occur secondary to the use of certain drugs, specifically the drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease. In most affected individuals, BEB develops spontaneously with no known precipitating factor.īlepharospasm may also occur secondary to other disorders such as tardive dyskinesia or generalized dystonia, Wilson disease, and various parkinsonian syndromes. However, no proven relationship between local eye disease and the development of BEB has been established. In some cases, affected individuals may have a history of local eye disease such as eye trauma. More study is required to determine the exact role genetics plays in the development of BEB. In these rare instances, it is more obvious that BEB may be inherited. The exact problem(s) associated with the basal ganglia in individuals with BEB is unknown.

The basal ganglia are involved in the regulation of motor and learning functions. The basal ganglia are structures composed of nerve cells located deep in the brain. Malfunctioning of a region of the brain known as the basal ganglia may play a role in the development of BEB. Researchers speculate that the cause of BEB may be multifactorial (e.g., caused by the interaction of certain genetic and environmental factors). The cause of benign essential blepharospasm is unknown. Such activities include reading, walking, watching television, exposure to bright lights, and driving. Symptoms of BEB may be temporarily alleviated by a variety of activities including singing, laughing, yawning, and chewing. In most patients, spasms and contractions occur during the daytime and disappear while the individual is sleeping, only to recur the next day. BEB may also be associated with abnormally dry eyes. This is called Meige syndrome or cranial dystonia. In these cases, BEB may be associated with jaw clenching, grimacing or tongue protrusion. Although an individual’s vision remains unaffected, prolonged closure of the eyelids may cause a person to become functionally blind.īEB may occur in association with dystonia of the lower part of the face, mouth or jaw. In severe cases, the spasms may intensify to the point where the eyelids are closed several hours at a time. It may become progressively harder for affected individuals to keep their eyes open. The frequency of muscle spasms and contractions may increase causing involuntary narrowing of the opening between the eyelids or closure of the eyelids. BEB virtually always affects both eyes (bilateral). In the early stages, benign essential blepharospasm is characterized by frequent or forced blinking and eye irritation that is often worsened by certain stimuli including bright lights, fatigue, emotional tension, and environmental factors such as wind or air pollution. 5 Myths About Orphan Drugs and the Orphan Drug Act.Information on Clinical Trials and Research Studies.

Lip quiver meaning when laughing or cold