Nose twitching was popularized in the 60s by actress Barbara Eden through her role as the cute yet ditzy genie in “I love you Jeannie.” But in real life, nose twitching can actually be cute but if it happens regularly, it can prove to be irritating. There are many old wives’ tales about it so it is about time to find out if they have any truth to them or they are just that, superstitions.
But what exactly is nose twitching? Nose switching is the uncontrolled spasms of the muscles on the nose. Some may experience it more often than others. Does it choose people arbitrarily? Of course not. There is certainly rhyme and reason for it.
Nose twitching is experienced the world over. And because not many people know what causes it, there are certainly a lot of myths and superstitions why noses twitch. Many people believe that if you feel that funny twitching, in general, you will have good luck. It may be that money will come your way, your problems will soon be over, you will celebrate an achievement, you will be successful, or you will be at peace. If you are looking for happiness in life, it may mean that you will meet your soulmate (if you are searching for The One), or if you already met The One, you will get married soon. Or if you are already with someone, you will get become pregnant.
Nose twitching that happens once in a while is normal. It can be caused by low potassium levels. You might feel your nose twitch too often if you consume too much caffeine or are stressed or are anxious. It may also be because of a side effect of a drug. If you exercise too much, it may affect the capillaries in your nose and may cause the spasms on your nose. In worse cases, it may indicate kidney problems.
Not many people know that these minute spasms have neurological roots as well. Nose twitching may be an indication of nerve compression, ALS (myotrophic lateral sclerosis), multiple sclerosis, brachial plexus injury, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson’s disease, or Tourette’s syndrome.
In severe cases, these uncontrolled contractions may be an indicator of a brain tumor, stroke, traumatic brain injury, or a transient ischemic attack. But if it happens too often that it reaches irritating proportions, you might want to visit a doctor.
So if you experience nose twitching more than normal, take a look at your lifestyle and diet. Make sure you get enough sleep and rest, increase your potassium intake, reduce your caffeine intake, and/or relax more to decrease stress.
