FACIAL NERVE PROBLEMS

TYPES

Facial nerve problems can be du to any of the following causes:

• Nervous system disease that involving the brainstem
• Complications include trauma resulting from severe mental, emotional or physical injury
• Infections of the face and ear such asacute inflammation of the sensory of the facial nerves associated with the vesicular eruption and neuralgic pains caused by reactivation of the facial nerves
• Bell’s palsy

SYMPTOMS

• Your eye and mouth becomesdry
• You might experience taste changeson the affected side
• There’s an immoderate tearing or drooling of saliva
• Mild twitching orparalysis of the muscles in one side of the face
• Acute unilateral numbness or pain in the ear, face, neck or tongue
• Familyhistory of this kind of condition
• Hearing changessuch as sensitivity

DIAGNOSIS

Electromyography (EMG) may be done to validate nerve damages and determine its cause.

Imaging scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging may be done to look for sources of pressure on the facial nerve such as tumors and skull fractures.

In  other cases, the doctor will just observe and examine you by looking at your face and try to reposition it by moving your facial muscles slowly.

TREATMENT

Mostly some individuals who have this condition can recover with or without treatment. In some cases, medications or physical therapy may be given to help regain the function of facial muscles and make the patient recover fully. Alternative Medicine such as acupuncture and biofeedback training may also be done.

Acupuncture that is directed towards distinct points of your face can reduce swelling of the facial nerve and can energize the muscles  to offer relief and comfort.

Biofeedback training is a kind of training that teaches you to use your thoughts to control your body; this helps you gain better control of your facial muscles.