What is Facial Paralysis?
Facial paralysis or facial paralysis is the condition of facial nerve loss due to various causes of facial nerve which stimulates the facial mimic muscles from the brain. Facial paralysis may occur suddenly or develop gradually.
What are the causes of facial paralysis?
Causes of facial paralysis include head trauma, cerebral vascular obstruction, head and neck tumors, and facial nerve injury. Bell paralysis is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Bell’s paralysis is a type of facial paralysis of unknown origin that affects only half of the face. It is thought to occur as a result of edema that occurs in the facial nerve, as a result of the compression of the nerve between the bones through which the nerve passes. Another and more serious cause of facial paralysis is stroke. Stroke results in damage to nerve cells that control facial muscles in the brain.
How is facial paralysis diagnosed?
In the examination performed for the diagnosis of facial paralysis, the patient is asked to perform movements such as eyebrow lifting, blinking, smile and frowning. Sometimes EMG (electromyography), MRI and CT tests and blood tests can be done. With the help of these tests, the cause of facial palsy is tried to be understood.
How is facial paralysis treated?
The treatment of facial paralysis is determined by the underlying cause. Facial paralysis due to Bell’s paralysis spontaneously resolves with or without treatment. However, when oral paralysis develops, oral corticosteroids and antiviral drugs increase the chance of full recovery. In addition, physical therapy practices can help strengthen facial muscles.
For the treatment of stroke due to facial paralysis, stroke must be treated first. If the stroke is new and is caused by the clot, therapies for thawing are applied. Early treatment is very important to prevent stroke from becoming permanent.
