It is known that the muscles in each half of our face work with the 7th nerve, the facial nerve (facial nerve), which is one of the cranial nerves that originate from the brainstem on the same side and then surface behind the ear. The facial nerve also has slender branches that go to the salivary gland, lacrimal gland, and anterior part of the tongue (sense of taste). Facial palsy (Bell´s Palsy) is a temporary facial weakness caused by the damage of the mentioned nerve due to reasons such as infection (Herpes), trauma.
What Causes Facial Paralysis?
Many of us are colder than our elders. He has heard that the weather, exposure to the wind, walking around with wet hair can cause facial paralysis. Although these beliefs among the public are not entirely true, there is some truth to them. Because the decrease in body resistance due to cold also has an important place among the causes that trigger facial paralysis.
What are the Symptoms of Facial Paralysis?
Slipping in half of the face (especially on the lip edge) naturally due to the inactivity of the facial muscles Along with the feeling of difficulty in speaking, blinking, difficulty in eating and drinking are the most common symptoms. In addition, due to the dryness of the eye on the affected side, the affected eyelid is not able to fully spread the reduced tear to the eye, and there is a constant tearing problem. Since a branch of the facial nerve is also responsible for the sense of taste, some patients complain of a strange and unpleasant taste, such as a metallic taste.
How Facial Paralysis Develops
Most patients wake up in the morning When they stand in front of the mirror, they realize that their faces are slipping and they think they have a stroke, or they become aware of the disease with the complaints of burning in the eyes, tingling around the lips or inability to keep water in the mouth while drinking water on the same day. It often takes a few days (usually a week or 10 days) for the picture to become clear and fully clear. Although pain in the back of the ear or neck area is a leading warning, it does not provide an early diagnosis because it is ignored by most patients.
What Increases the Chance of Coming to Facial Paralysis?
Age is considered an important factor For example, although the incidence is much less in children, the spontaneous recovery cases are also higher. Some metabolic diseases such as diabetes The risk of acquittal is 4 times higher than the general population. The last three months of pregnancy are considered a period to be considered for facial paralysis. Diseases that cause disorders of the immune system also constitute another risk group. The decrease in body resistance makes it easier to catch the disease, for example infections that may occur due to the decrease in body resistance due to cold, fatigue, insomnia, nutritional disorder and of course stress.
What is the Frequency of Facial Paralysis?
World According to statistics made around the world, the frequency is around 02% (two per thousand). does not occur, another disease should be considered and investigated. imaging tests are applied.
How is Facial Paralysis Treated?
The healing process is directly proportional to the destruction of the facial nerve. In mild traumas, recovery is quite rapid and complete in only a few days, while in more severe cases, this period can be longer, such as a few months. When we calculate the repair of the damaged nerve with an average rate of 1-2 mm/day, we can expect recovery within a period of 15 days to 18 months.
The disease usually resolves spontaneously without the need for any medical or surgical treatment. In order to accelerate the treatment process, massage is recommended together with facial muscle exercises. In cold weather, it should not be forgotten to protect the head and neck area and keep it warm. Since the eyes do not close completely during the disease, artificial tears should be protected from infection and physical trauma with drugs, antibiotics and eye patch during sleep.
Steroid and antiviral drugs are used in more severe cases. However, in my personal opinion, it is the most important point of the treatment that the patient should be supported and informed spiritually during the treatment period, which should not be ignored. In rare severe cases, if the healing process does not start after the 3rd week The function of the facial nerve is measured with the EMG test and surgical intervention is planned if no conduction is detected. Let's not forget that many famous actors also suffered from facial paralysis and despite this, they are the most popular members of the visual show world.
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