It is a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in one side of the face.
Classification–
- PARTIAL palsy( mild muscle weakness)
- Complete palsy( no movement at all; paralysis)
Causes—
- Viral infection(herpes)
- Bell’s palsy
- Birth trauma (newborns)
- Brain tumor
- Ear Infection
- Lyme disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Stroke
Symptoms And Signs–
- Change in taste
- Crooked smile/slurred speech
- Difficulty eating
- Drooling
- Excessive tearing/ dry eye
- Face becomes expressionless and motionless.
- Headache
- Closing eyelids becomes difficult
- Pain behind the ear
- Seizures
- Sensation of facial numbness or tingling
- Sensation of pulling of the face or mouth to one side
- Sensitivity to loud sounds
- Vision problems
- Weakness
TREATMENT—
- Ayurvedic Medication(under an expert guidance) are mostly successful.
- Surgery—
Smile reconstruction restores the smile of people with facial nerve paralysis. - Physiotherapy-
It helps to maintain muscle tone of the affected facial muscles and stimulate the facial nerve. Muscle re-education exercises are also useful in restoring normal movement. To reduce pain, heat can be applied to the affected side of the face.