Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Freezing Of Jaws And Jitters While Smoking Cigarettes?
Question: When I smoke cigarettes and especially if I've had alcohol, my jaw freezes and jitters. its been going on for 10 years. My friends and family are impressing I get this checked out. They think Im having a daily stroke. Really?! Please help.
I should have had this questioned ages ago but my family doctor is sadly 75 and very incompetent. Canadians get free crappy health care.
I should have had this questioned ages ago but my family doctor is sadly 75 and very incompetent. Canadians get free crappy health care.
Brief Answer:
can't have a daily stroke for 10 years
Detailed Answer:
obviously strokes don't come and go for 10 years. furthermore, strokes are on ONE side, not both !
it is a muscle spasm. torticulis. nicotine is not commonly associated with it. low calcium (due to another medical condition) is Very associated with it. You breath more with cigarette smoking, the blood acidity goes down, the calcium in the blood goes further down and the muscles seize up. Generally it would be jaw but with tone in other muscles (if you makke a fist for 10 seconds... the fist would lock up also!). You will want a simple blood test to look at potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Then when there is a problem, further tests to find where and how to fix it (taking magnesium supplements probably).
could be just a muscle spasm, and not very much wrong (in which case a muscle relaxant would fix it... but would take about 30 minutes to get in and the symptoms don't last that long).
the more interesting topic is if this is a problem, why do you still smoke?
I have several good ideas for quitting, but the easiest, which would also tell why you have the spasms is to switch to a NON-INHALED nictotine substitute (nicotine patches).
can't have a daily stroke for 10 years
Detailed Answer:
obviously strokes don't come and go for 10 years. furthermore, strokes are on ONE side, not both !
it is a muscle spasm. torticulis. nicotine is not commonly associated with it. low calcium (due to another medical condition) is Very associated with it. You breath more with cigarette smoking, the blood acidity goes down, the calcium in the blood goes further down and the muscles seize up. Generally it would be jaw but with tone in other muscles (if you makke a fist for 10 seconds... the fist would lock up also!). You will want a simple blood test to look at potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Then when there is a problem, further tests to find where and how to fix it (taking magnesium supplements probably).
could be just a muscle spasm, and not very much wrong (in which case a muscle relaxant would fix it... but would take about 30 minutes to get in and the symptoms don't last that long).
the more interesting topic is if this is a problem, why do you still smoke?
I have several good ideas for quitting, but the easiest, which would also tell why you have the spasms is to switch to a NON-INHALED nictotine substitute (nicotine patches).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
