Facial Paralysis

Facial nerve paralysis is a pathological condition characterized by weakening or complete loss of functions of the facial muscles on the affected side.

Causes

The main causes of facial paralysis are:

1. Inflammatory diseases (otitis, mastoiditis, etc.)
2. Facial nerve injuries
3. Tumors in the area of ​​the temporal bone or the nerve itself
4. Trigeminal neuralgia
5. Infectious diseases (colds, viruses)
6. Autoimmune disorders
7. Vascular disorders (stroke)

Bell's palsy is an idiopathic disorder of the facial nerve for which the exact cause is unknown. It can also lead to weakening or loss of function of the facial muscles.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of facial paralysis:

1. Facial asymmetry
2. Drooping corner of the mouth
3. Inability to wrinkle forehead or raise eyebrows
4. Difficulty closing the eye and nasolabial fold
5. Numbness of facial skin
6. Taste disturbance in the anterior parts of the tongue
7. Increased tear production

Diagnosis is based on a neurological examination and ENMG. Treatment includes drug therapy, physical therapy and, if necessary, surgery. The prognosis depends on the cause and extent of nerve damage.

Facial palsy, also known as facial palsy, is a common neurological disorder characterized by weakening or complete loss of function of the facial muscles on one side of the face. It occurs as a result of damage to the facial nerve, which controls facial muscles and provides sensation to the skin on the face.

Facial Nerve Palsy can occur for many reasons, including infections, trauma, tumors, and circulatory problems. It often develops with Bell's palsy, which is the most common cause of facial palsy.

Symptoms of facial palsy include weakening of the facial muscles on one side of the face, loss of control of the salivary glands, disturbances in taste perception, changes in visual perception, and severe pain in the ear area. In more severe cases, there may be a complete loss of control of the facial muscles on one side of the face.

To diagnose facial nerve palsy, your doctor will usually do a physical exam, examine the nerve and facial muscles, and may order x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the cause.

Treatment for facial paralysis depends on the cause of the disease. In some cases, paralysis may resolve on its own without treatment. In other cases, drug therapy, physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of these methods may be required. It is important to start treatment as early as possible to prevent further deterioration of the condition.

Overall, facial palsy is a serious condition that can lead to significant impairment in quality of life. Therefore, if you notice any symptoms of Facial Nerve Palsy, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Facial Paralysis is a paralysis of the facial nerve that causes weakening and loss of function of the facial muscles. Facial nerve paralysis leads to facial asymmetry and impaired facial expressions.

Causes of facial paralysis may include:

1. Inflammatory diseases (facial nerve neuritis)
2. Injuries
3. Tumors
4. Vascular disorders
5. Neurological diseases (Bell's disease)

Symptoms of facial paralysis:

1. Facial asymmetry due to paralysis of the muscles of one half of the face
2. Inability to wrinkle the forehead, raise the eyebrow, close the eye, or puff out the cheek on the affected side
3. Mouth distortion
4. Impaired taste sensitivity of the anterior 2/3 of the tongue

For treatment, drug therapy, physiotherapy, and, in case of severe lesions, surgical methods are used. Facial paralysis often develops with Bell's palsy. Complete restoration of the functions of the facial nerve is possible with timely treatment.

The history of facial paralysis goes back more than one and a half thousand years. The name “blepharospasm” was given by the scientist Alain Rey in 1775, explaining the disease as an acute inflammation of the nerves of the face. Currently, there are more than 5 million patients worldwide. There are 3 types of facial paralysis: paresis, paralysis and plegia. Regardless of the type of disease, a favorable outcome occurs in 60% of cases.

There are 4 stages of the disease. The third serves as an intermediate stage with the most common result of the beginning of the restoration of nerve fibers, and the fourth is considered the completion of treatment for patients. The stages help plan treatment until complete recovery. The duration of the rehabilitation period depends on the diagnostic situation and the choice of treatment tactics. It ranges from 2 months in children to 12 months in adult patients.

Symptoms of the disease

The disease can be recognized by three main signs: facial asymmetry with a reduction in facial activity or its complete absence, drooping of the corner of the mouth (if the muscles do not move on one side) on the side of the affected nerve. The patient will not be able to smile or frown, which leads to changes in the outline of the lower jaw, and the mobility of the cheek and corner of the mouth is lost. In some cases, the sensitivity of the skin decreases. Depending on the number of damaged fibers, paralysis can be partial or complete. In the first case, weakness of the muscles responsible for posture, lowering of the eyebrows, raising the corners of the mouth, nasolabial