A movement disorder that causes frequent spasms of the eye, jaw, tongue, and lower facial muscles is called Meige syndrome. The spasms caused by this condition may feel like a stabbing sensation, which is very similar to an electric shock.
In other words, Meige syndrome is a rare type of dystonia that negatively affects the brain and nerves (a neurological condition). It often causes uncontrollable muscle spasms that sometimes can be painful. Generally, dystonia is a group of disorders that cause uncontrollable muscle movements. Sometimes, this condition is called segmental cranial dystonia or idiopathic blepharospasm-oromandibular dystonia syndrome. Moreover, this condition occurs quite rarely, and it affects about 1 in 100,000 people.
Symptoms
This condition affects the muscles of the face and jaw. Check below for the most common symptoms of Meige syndrome:
- Thrusting your chin (involuntary chin jerks often while talking or eating)
- Displaced jaw (jaw twitching)
- Frowning
- Facial grimacing
- Problems with opening or closing the mouth
- A clenched mouth
- Bruxism (grinding teeth)
- Jaw pain
Some people may also experience spasms in the tongue, throat, or respiratory tract. As a result, it may become difficult to eat solid foods or breathe. Do not hesitate to visit a doctor if any of the previous symptoms occur.
In rare cases, this syndrome may negatively affect your eyes and cause the following symptoms. Examples include:
- Frequent and uncontrolled blinking
- Eye pain
- Dry eyes
- Difficulty keeping the eyes open
Most of the time, Meige syndrome affects both eyes, and the symptoms are more prominent with aging. As a result, it may become difficult to keep the eyes open, but there are no changes in eye function.
Causes and Triggers
Healthcare professionals do not fully understand what exactly causes this condition. However, they think there is a combination of genetic factors (unpredictable changes to the DNA that occur during pregnancy) and certain environmental factors. According to some research, this syndrome negatively affects the basal ganglia area in the brain. However, this part of the brain is responsible for movements. Check some triggers of Meige syndrome below:
- Bright lights
- Tiredness
- Stress
- Wind
The previous triggers may worsen the symptoms of this condition.
Risk Factors
There are some factors that could elevate your risk of developing Meige syndrome. These include:
- Sex – While it may affect anyone, this condition mostly affects women.
- Age – This condition often occurs in people between the ages of 40 and 70.
- Neuroleptic medicine use – For example, anti-nausea medicines (such as Metoclopramide), dopamine-blocking drugs, and others.
- Underlying disorders
- Physical trauma
- Genetic susceptibility – If you have a family history of Meige syndrome, the risk of developing it significantly increases.
- Motor activity and emotional factors may worsen the symptoms of this condition.
In addition, some people develop Meige syndrome along with other health conditions. Check some examples below:
- Parkinson’s disease – This is a neurological movement disorder that often causes tremors, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, unsteady walking, and other symptoms.
- Tardive dyskinesia – This is another neurological disease that often occurs due to long-term use of certain medicines used to treat psychiatric disorders.
- Wilson’s disease – This is a rare genetic disorder that occurs due to the accumulation of Copper in the body. It may cause liver disease and abnormal involuntary movements.
What Are The Potential Complications of Meige Syndrome?
People who develop Meige syndrome may also experience some complications, especially if they do not manage it. For example:
- Malnutrition
- Depression
- Inability to open the eyes
- Headaches
- Pain
- Ocular or vision dysfunction – These include blepharospasm (involuntary blinking), photophobia, and others.
- Speech and swallowing problems
- Social anxiety
The previous list does not contain a full list of complications. Talk with your doctor about measures to reduce the risk or prevent the previous complications. Additionally, there is no way to prevent this condition because doctors do not fully understand what exactly causes it. However, you can find and avoid triggers that cause symptoms or worsen them.
Diagnosis
Usually, physical and neurological examinations are enough to diagnose this condition. However, doctors may ask some questions about the symptoms and medical history to get more clues about your disease. To confirm or rule out Meige syndrome, doctors often perform blood tests and imaging tests. These include a complete blood count (CBC), CT (computerized tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, and others.
How is Meige Syndrome Treated?
This condition cannot be cured. That’s why the treatment goal is to relieve the symptoms, prevent complications, and improve your quality of life. Check below some options often recommended by doctors for people with this syndrome:
- Medicines – These include Clonazepam, Trihexyphenidyl, Diazepam, and Baclofen.
- Botulinum toxin injections – This medicine is often injected into the muscles around the eye and jaw to weaken those muscles. It helps reduce involuntary muscle spasms. Usually, people with Meige syndrome need this injection every 3 months.
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) – This treatment is used to disrupt the abnormal patterns of brain activity. During DBS, doctors will place a thin metal electrode into the brain and then attach an implanted computerized pulse generator. This device works similarly to a pacemaker for the brain.
- Speech and swallowing therapy – These therapies are used to improve and strengthen the muscles in the jaw to reduce the severity of the spasms.
Home Remedies
Sometimes, doctors may recommend the following remedies to improve the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce the frequency of the symptoms. Examples include:
- Chewing gum
- Biting a toothpick
- Touching lips or chin
- Looking down
You can also avoid specific environmental triggers (such as bright lights or wind) by wearing sunglasses or staying indoors.
In addition, the previous treatments may cause some adverse reactions, including sleepiness, dyspnea (shortness of breath), or dry mouth. People who get botulinum toxin injections may experience pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy for Meige syndrome?
In general, this syndrome does not affect life expectancy, and it is not fatal. However, it may significantly reduce your quality of life. If you have symptoms that resemble Meige syndrome, do not hesitate to see a doctor.
Is Meige syndrome the same as Meige disease?
No, some people confuse them because they are named after the French neurologist Henri Meige. However, Meige disease is a genetic disorder that causes fluid buildup in the limbs (arms and legs).
Can Meige’s syndrome go away?
Most of the time, this condition is chronic (long-term), which means you will need treatment for the rest of your life. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare provider.
