Treatment of sudden facial paralysis, mouth distortion

The article was professionally consulted by MSc Huynh An Thien - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine, Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

In the cold season, especially at the time of season change, there are many cases of facial paralysis and mouth distortion caused by paralysis of the 7th nerve. Although it has the ability to recover quickly, the disease is easy to leave cosmetic sequels if not. detected and treated early.

Symptoms often appear quite suddenly after a night of waking up and without warning. Some suggestive symptoms to detect facial paralysis include:
Incidentally finding it difficult to laugh, talk, drink water, gargle and see water gushing out of one side; Sudden asymmetry between the two sides of the face, the half of the face is immobile and the forehead wrinkles are lost; The paralyzed side's eyes do not close tightly, the eyebrows are lowered, the nasolabial folds - cheeks are blurred and the corners of the mouth are drooping; Patients often do not control the movements of puffing cheeks, smiling, puckering lips, wrinkled forehead and often drooling, water at one corner of the mouth; Less commonly, patients may experience numbness and loss of taste in the anterior 2/3 of the tongue.

Facial paralysis can occur at any age, but is more common in pregnant women, people with medical conditions such as diabetes, flu, immunocompromised, the elderly, and people in poor health.
Especially in people who often stay up late or abuse alcohol, making the body tired and mentally depressed, stress is even more susceptible to cold due to reduced resistance. Cold infection is the typical cause of damage to the 7th nerve, when the blood vessels are suddenly constricted, disrupting the blood vessels that nourish the nerve.
People with little exercise, little exposure to nature or a history of hypoglycemia, hypertension, low blood pressure or atherosclerosis are also at increased risk of facial paralysis.

When detecting symptoms suggestive of facial paralysis, mouth distortion, patients and family members need to stay calm, do not rush to conclude that it is a manifestation of a cerebrovascular accident because there are many other causes. At this time, the most important thing is to bring patients to medical facilities for early diagnosis and treatment to avoid unfortunate complications.
When it has been identified as facial paralysis due to 7th nerve palsy, there are many treatment methods depending on the severity of the patient such as:
Medical treatment: Anti-inflammatory corticosteroid groups, antiviral groups or the group of vasodilators, the group that regenerates the myelin sheath and increases nerve conduction; Surgical treatment: Surgery to release the nerve in the facial neural tube due to ear inflammation, or surgery on the area where the tumor is pressing on the nerve; Supportive treatments such as acupuncture, massage and facial movement play an important role in recovering from facial paralysis. In fact, if the cause of facial paralysis is primary, such as vasoconstriction that causes nerve damage, it can go away on its own even without treatment. However, in many cases, the vasoconstriction time is too long, causing the muscles to lose control and become inert and flabby, gradually contracting. Therefore, when early detection and exclusion of dangerous secondary causes such as compression tumors, patients need to be treated aggressively immediately, as well as implement methods to restore facial muscle movement in order to prevent further damage. Returns the original natural facial expression.
Patients with facial paralysis and mouth distortion can go to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and treatment. There is a team of well-trained, experienced and specialized neurologists in the examination and treatment of diseases related to the central nervous system (skull, meninges, brain, vessels, etc.) brain, nerves in the skull, pituitary gland, spine, discs, spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord).
Besides, Vinmec has a system of modern equipment, meeting international standards; Professional service quality, high efficiency in diagnosis and treatment.
Master Doctor Huynh An Thien has strengths and experiences in examination, consultation and treatment of neurological diseases; respiratory and endocrine-metabolic diseases
Before being an Endocrinologist at the Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec International General Hospital Da Nang, Dr. Thien used to have long working experience at the hospital. Hue Central.