Facial palsy

Facial palsy is a medical condition that results in weakness or total paralysis of the facial muscles. This condition can affect one or both sides of the face, and it can occur suddenly or gradually over time. The most common cause of facial palsy is Bell's palsy, but it can also be caused by other conditions such as stroke, Lyme disease, or brain tumors.

Causes

Facial palsy can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Bell's palsy: This is the most common cause of facial palsy. It occurs when the facial nerve, which controls the muscles of the face, becomes inflamed.
• Stroke: A stroke can cause facial palsy if it damages the part of the brain that controls facial movements.
• Lyme disease: This is a bacterial infection that can cause facial palsy if it spreads to the nerves of the face.
• Brain tumors: A tumor in the brain can compress the facial nerve, leading to facial palsy.

Symptoms

The symptoms of facial palsy can vary depending on the cause, but they often include:

• Sudden weakness or paralysis on one or both sides of the face
• Difficulty closing the eye or mouth on one side of the face
• Drooping of the mouth or eye on one side of the face
• Loss of the sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue
• Changes in the amount of tears and saliva produced

Treatment

The treatment for facial palsy depends on the underlying cause. For example, if the palsy is caused by Bell's palsy, treatment may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling. If the palsy is caused by a stroke, treatment may involve medications or surgery to treat the stroke and physical therapy to help improve facial movement.

See also

• Bell's palsy
• Stroke
• Lyme disease
• Brain tumor

Facial palsy Resources
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