HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Involuntary Tongue Movements?

Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014

Question: i have involuntary tongue movements 24/7. I am under both a GP and a Therapist who says this was brought about by a Trauma and that he can get it to go - is this true

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I don't agree with your GP...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query.

Involuntary tongue movements in your age could be due to various reasons which requires a thorough evaluation by a neurologist. To name a few:
1. Trauma to the head
2. Stroke
3. Amyotropic lateral sclerosis
4. Parkinson's disease, etc.

I don't agree with your physician. Unless we do not evaluate thoroughly by doing a MRI & neurological tests and finding out the actual cause, it will be difficult to treat the same.

Instead of wasting time by visiting a GP, please consult an apt neurologist.

Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (15 hours later)

MY DOCTOR HAS BEEN TREATING ME FOR 2YRS NOW AND I CERTAINLY HAVE NOT GOT ANY OF THE THINGS THAT ARE LISTED ABOVE. I HAVE REGULAR BLOOD TESTS AS WELL AS SEEING HIM CONSTANTLY. I COLLECT A LOT OF SALIVA AND I HAVE TO SWALLOW EVERY 10-15MINS AS IT BUILDS UP SO QUICKLY. I AM A VERY ANXIOUS PERSON AND YOU ARE NOT HELPING ME.

MY GP THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A DYSTONIA BUT WITH THE HELP OF SOME HYPNOSIS AND CBT THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. BOTH MY THERAPIST AND GP ARE CONVINCED THIS IS A TRAUMA BROUGHT ON BY SOME TERRIBLE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS STARTED AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME TO THE MINUTE AS THE PERSONAL PROBLEMS STARTED SO WHY CAN'T IT BE A STRESS RELATED CONDITION?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please get a MRI done to rule out any lesions in the brain...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

I am sorry for the delay in answering your query. There was complete shutdown of internet in Muscat from morning 11 am-8:30 pm, so I was unable to answer your query.

Yes, psychological trauma could be one of the reason. Due to the extreme stress, there could have been a raise in the blood pressure causing rupture of the tiny aneurysms in the brain. The bleeding would have compressed the hypoglossal nucleus giving rise to fasciculations of the tongue.

Trust me; even though you are undergoing psychotherapy to reduce the stress and anxiety. Keeping your age in mind, it would be better if you could get a MRI of the brain done to rule out any lesions in the brain which may cause tongue fasciculations.

Hope this piece of information has been useful to you. I wish you good health and good luck.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj