Emma Howard: Hello, we are answering questions on health and medical problems; I'm joined by Dr. Rosemary Leonard, hello.
Rosemary Leonard: Hello
Emma Howard: Rosemary, got a question here from a young lady concerned about possible nerve twitch, she said she was out having lunch with the friend the other day, who notice that the muscles in her face seem to be twitching involuntarily and she is said she notices this before about herself but now twitching seem to becoming more frequently and I am not surprised but she is really worried what can she do.
Rosemary Leonard: Yeah this is it's a condition called blepharospasm particularly when it effects the eyes and you really don't know its happening or often and you have no control over it so it can be very, very distressing indeed. It used to be treated with tranquilizer tablets but that now is kind of going out the window and what we do treat it with Botox because it is caused by spasm of the muscle, Botox paralyses the muscles and its one use of Botox is available on the NHS but its only, its only given by specialist in neurology clinics and the treatment does have to be repeated but it seems once you have calm the muscle down with Botox you cant then get a more long lasting effects from it if you have two or three treatments say for the cause of it.
Emma Howard: Is it reeducating the muscle and nerves.
Rosemary Leonard: Yes, yes its very odd and we don't know why it happens. Some times it is stressfully related if someone has got this type of twitching and that tired you can get worst but often it just comes on out of the blue.
Emma Howard: Because it perfectly referred to as a nervous twitch, all this was for many years.
Rosemary Leonard: Yes, yes I thought; it can make it worse but generally if its happening and there is nothing else going wrong in her life, I would say to her go to her doctor and get a referral to a neurologist but don't expect to same soon this is top thing were you often to the bottom of the waiting list which is hard luck.
Emma Howard: Because you have see this as a cosmetic problem.
Rosemary Leonard: Yes, but at least in most parts of the country you can Botox treatment for it in hospitals on the NHS.
Emma Howard: Really good advice thank you Rosemary, well if you have a similar problem we hope we might have given you some help but remember its always best to go and see your own doctor for medical advice. Thanks for watching, we will be back with more health questions and answers.
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