What Causes Twitching In Lower Right Lip?

Posted on Wed, 11 May 2016

Question: Hi I went to bed last night and my lower right lip is twitching, I had a glass wine so I thought maybe related to that, but I woke up and Its still happening, im 39 year old female

Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Usually harmless.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Lip twitching of the sort you describe can have many different causes. Fortunately in the overwhelming part of cases it is nothing to worry about, not a threatening issue.
Most common causes are use of alcohol, caffeine, energy drinks, even chocolate at times. Fatigue, stress and anxiety are also very common causes, I would say stress and anxiety to be the most common in my daily practice.

However if symptoms persist for days some more attention must be paid. Some blood tests must be done for electrolyte alterations which may cause it such a low calcium, magnesium, potassium. Also a neurological exam for possible neurological signs you might have missed such as Bell's palsy, hemifacial spasm, Parkinson's syndrome, tics, essential tremor etc. But I really do not think it likely, as I said in most cases it improves (although may recur from time to time related to stress, fatigue or other factors I mentioned).

I remain at your disposal for other questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar