Facial Nerve Palsy
What is the Condition about:
Facial nerve palsy, also known as Bell's palsy, is a condition that affects the facial nerve causing paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. It can cause difficulty in making facial expressions, blinking, closing the eye, and smiling.
How I investigate the Condition:
To investigate the condition, I will first perform a thorough physical examination to check the patient's facial movements and determine the extent of the paralysis. I may also order imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan to rule out other underlying conditions that may be causing the paralysis.
What treatment options are available:
The treatment options for facial nerve palsy depend on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. In many cases, the condition may improve on its own without any treatment within a few weeks or months. However, for severe cases or cases that do not improve on their own, we may recommend the following treatments:
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Medications: Antiviral medications and corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery.
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Eye care: Since the condition can cause difficulty in closing the eye, we may recommend eye drops or ointments to keep the eye moist and prevent damage to the cornea.
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Physical therapy: Facial exercises and massages may be recommended to help improve facial muscle strength and prevent muscle shrinkage.
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Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be recommended to relieve pressure on the facial nerve or repair any damage to the nerve.
We understand that facial nerve palsy can be a distressing condition, and we are here to provide you with the expert care and treatment you need to manage your symptoms and recover.
Please don't hesitate to contact us for an evaluation and to learn more about our services.
What is Facial Nerve Palsy?
Facial palsy is a very distressing condition for any patient. It is temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. The two facial nerves (one on each side) carry nerve impulses to the muscles in the face and also to the tear glands, saliva glands and the muscle of the middle ear bone (stapes). They also transmit taste fibres from the tongue and pain fibres from the ear canal. Conditions affecting the facial nerve can cause twitching of the face, dryness of the eyes or the mouth, loss of taste, increased sensitivity to loud sound and pain in the ear.
What causes Canal Dehiscence Syndrome?
The facial nerve travels from the brain, through the ear and parotid (salivary) gland to the muscles of the face. Facial palsy can be caused by anything that damages the facial nerve along its course. This includes stroke, trauma or neurological conditions affecting the brain, underlying ear conditions (cholesteatoma, ear infection), tumours (acoustic neuroma, salivary gland) and surgical causes. The most commonly known cause of facial palsy is Bell’s Palsy. No definitive cause of Bell’s Palsy has been found, though it has been linked with viruses.
How is Ear Infection treated?
Treatment is directed at the cause of the facial palsy. If the cause isn’t clear then scans may be ordered to make a diagnosis. Patients can often recover from Bell’s Palsy with or without treatment. Treatment may include oral steroids to reduce inflammation in the facial nerve. If the facial palsy is permanent, then facial reanimation procedures may be required to make facial expressions more symmetrical, and aid in better eating and speaking.
