Facial paralysis is defined as the development of loss of movement in the facial mimic muscles due to nerve wear. It can occur in one or two areas of the face and is called facial paralysis in medical science. Symptoms of facial paralysis include inflammation of the facial nerve supplying facial mimic muscles, traumatic brain injury, stroke and head and neck tumors. In people with facial paralysis, facial muscles may be flaccid or weak.
Facial paralysis is the development of loss of movement in the facial area as a result of damage to the facial nerve fibers that bring signals from the brain to the area where facial mimic muscles are located. Facial paralysis may occur suddenly or may develop gradually over a certain period of time.
When a person experiences facial paralysis, numbness, slipping, difficulty in keeping saliva in the mouth, tearing and dry eyes occur. This condition can get worse within two to three days. The stage of recovery varies according to the condition of nerve damage.
What Causes Facial Paralysis?
Facial paralysis is a condition in which weakness develops as a result of injury (swelling and inflammation) of the nerve that provides control of the mimic muscles in one area of the face, which generally spreads suddenly, sometimes over several days. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and improves significantly within weeks. The weakness causes the affected half of the face to look droopy. When laughing, the mouth slips towards the healthy part and it is difficult to close the eye on that side.
Bell's palsy is what is referred to when facial paralysis is mentioned. Although there is no clear cause for this condition, it is generally thought to be caused by a viral infection. There are viruses that have been linked to Bell's palsy. We can list these viruses as follows;
- Herpes simplex
- Herpes zoster
- Epstein-Barr
- Ytomegalovirus infections
- Adenovirus
- Measles
- Mumps
- Influenza B
- Coxsackivirus
In Bell's palsy, the nerve that stimulates the facial mimic muscles is pinched, inflamed and swollen in the narrow part of the face that passes around the ear before reaching the facial mimic muscles. This leads to paralysis of the facial mimic muscles in a similar area. Other causes of facial paralysis; head trauma, cerebrovascular disorders, head and neck tumors, trauma-related injuries to the facial nerve can be shown among the causes.
What are the Symptoms of Facial Paralysis?
There are various symptoms of facial paralysis and they differ from individual to individual depending on the cause. Symptoms of facial paralysis are as follows;
Loss of strength in the mimic muscles of the unilateral face in the affected area
- Difficulty eating and drinking
- Difficulty speaking
- Twitching of the facial muscles in the affected part
- Reduced secretion of tears and saliva and dryness in the eyes and mouth
- Differentiation of the sense of taste
- Pain inside or behind the ear
- Pain in and around the jaw joint
- Hypersensitivity to sounds in the affected ear
- Pain in the head area
Other facial paralysis has similar symptoms to those of Bell's palsy. However, in addition, various neurological symptoms may accompany this condition. These are as follows;
- Impaired consciousness
- Loss of strength in the arm and leg in the same region
- Numbness of arms and legs
- Dizziness
- Balance problem
- Vision problems
- Epileptic seizures
How is facial paralysis diagnosed?
Todiagnose facial paralysis , the specialist asks the patient to perform facial gestures such as raising the eyebrows, blinking the eyes, smiling, frowning and examines the movements of the muscle. For a detailed diagnosis, electromyography (a test that determines the condition of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles), imaging such as MRI and CT, and a liquid blood test can be performed. With the help of tests, the condition caused by facial paralysis can be determined.
How is facial paralysis treated?
With or without treatment, Bell's palsy is completely cured in most individuals. Commonly preferred drugs for the treatment of Bell's palsy are as follows;
Cortisones with the active ingredient methyl prednisone: It is stated as strong anti-edema agents. The edema disappears and relaxes in the bone canal where the facial nerve is swollen and compressed. Corticosteroids work best when started within a few days of the onset of symptoms.
Antiviral drugs: The role of antivirals has not been proven. Antiviral agents added to corticosteroids may be useful, but this is not clear. However, despite this, valacyclovir or acyclovir is sometimes used in combination with prednisone in people with significant facial paralysis.
Shortening of the paralyzed muscles can occur and may lead to an abnormal shape of the joint with intense shortening of the permanent muscle. Physical therapy contributes to nerve healing in these cases. In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to repair permanent nerve damage. Other forms of treatment such as acupuncture and biofeedback can also be used.
For the treatment of facial paralysis due to other causes, treatment for the cause is applied. Blood thinners for vascular occlusion, surgery for nerve trauma damage, and if there is a brain tumor, the tumor is removed by surgery.