Most of us are ignorant about our bodies and the way it functions. When we are ignorant about the major things related to our bodies, it is obvious to be ignorant of minor things. This happens especially during pregnancy because pregnancy is a new thing for almost all women and there are many things they are unaware of. Eye twitching is one such thing. The twitching of the eye is a situation where your eye starts to spasm uncontrollably without you inducing it yourself. It occurs on both the upper and the lower eyelids and can be generally hard to control. Eye twitching and pregnancy is a common occurrence for many women who experience it. In this article, we will discuss the causes as well as the remedies of eye-twitching during pregnancy. Read on to find out everything that you need to know about eye twitching during pregnancy:
In this article:
Eye Twitching Causes and Remedies
When to Call the Doctor?
Eye Twitching Causes and Remedies
1. Stress
Whenever someone is under stress, their bodies produce a hormone called epinephrine, which is also known as the ‘fight or flight’ hormone. This hormone prepares their body to deal with whatever situation they might be in. It is basically a process that can involve twitching of muscles or nerves all over the body, including the eyelids.
Remedy
Of course, it is next to impossible to avoid stress entirely, as it’s a fact of everyday life. However, you can take steps to reduce the amount of stress you’re under, such as improving your work-life balance and spending more time on your hobbies.
2. Not Enough Sleep
According to the articles listed in the reference, there is a definite correlation between poor sleep and eye twitching. Research is still going on this, and scientists are still trying to find out what exactly is the problem.
Remedy
Getting adequate sleep is the only possible solution to this problem. There is no reason why you, a pregnant woman, shouldn’t be getting around 8-10 hours of sleep every day. Sleep is crucial for your health, do not ignore it.
3. Alcohol
If you happen to drink alcohol more than the safe limit (to be honest, alcohol should be a strict no-no at this stage), then that is another cause of eye twitching.
Remedy
Since you are pregnant, it is not advisable to drink at all, no matter whether you get the eye twitching or not.
4. Caffeine
Caffeine makes your muscles and nerves more sensitive and reactive to your surroundings. This can make your eyes twitch.
Remedy
If you consume products with a high caffeine content, then try lowering your intake and see if this improves your eye twitch.
5. Sight Problems
Straining for the sake of sight makes your eyes work harder than normal. This can be stressful and ultimately leads to your eyelids twitching.
Remedy
Try to move your eyes every twenty minutes, especially if you are glued to a digital screen.
6. Dry Eyes
If your eyes are dry due to any underlying medical condition, then that leads to eye-twitching. This is because, without the moisture, your eyelids may be more susceptible than normal to twitching.
Remedy
Ask a doctor about eye drops for preventing dry eyes.
7. Histamine
If you find your eyes are twitching and watering, your allergies might be responsible for this. For instance, it is natural to rub your eyes in case they feel itchy. Unfortunately, this releases histamine (the chemical compound your body releases to fight infection) into your tears, and this can contribute to eye twitching.
Remedy
You can combat this by taking antihistamines to suppress your body’s natural reaction.
8. Not Getting a Balanced Diet
If your body lacks nutrients such as vitamin b12 and vitamin d, then there are problems with the daily functioning of your body. Eye twitches are one such symptom.
Remedy
The best thing you can do is to get these missing nutrients into your diet. You can have more fish and dairy products. In case you are vegan or vegetarian, there are many products available that have both of these vitamins, such as almond milk or soy milk. Vitamin d is also found in sunlight, so get out and bask in the sunlight.
When to Call the Doctor?
Eye twitches generally disappear after a short while, but if it does continue after a certain period of time, it is better to consult a doctor. They can be very annoying when present for a longer time, but the good news is that it isn’t a sign of a serious medical condition. Handy remedies can help negate their effect.
However, if the twitching is extremely painful and is causing side effects like fever and isn’t closing itself properly, then it might be due to other reasons. Consult a doctor in this case, and you’ll be able to get to the root of the problem. Pregnancy is a crucial period, so make sure you don’t take anything lightly.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc5082244/
