How is facial paralysis diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and review your medical history. They’ll perform a physical examination and ask you to try to make various facial movements, like:
- Opening and closing your eyes.
- Raising your eyebrows.
- Smiling.
- Frowning.
In addition to a physical examination, your healthcare provider may request imaging tests, such as:
How is facial paralysis treated?
Facial paralysis treatment depends on the underlying cause. For example:
- If you develop facial paralysis as a result of stroke, your healthcare provider will focus on treating stroke.
- If facial paralysis is a result of a tumor, your provider will discuss options to remove the tumor.
- If the cause is Bell’s palsy, then your provider may prescribe medications and recommend facial strengthening exercises.
There are several nonsurgical and surgical facial paralysis treatments available:
Nonsurgical treatments may include
- Corticosteroids
to reduce inflammation and swelling in your facial nerve.
- Antivirals
to fight possible infection.
- Botox injections
to treat synkinesis ? a secondary condition that results in involuntary muscle movements. (This is common with Bell’s palsy.)
- Physical therapy
to improve facial symmetry, increase muscle strength and regain facial coordination.
- Speech therapy
to help you regain your speech and swallow function.
- Occupational therapy
to help you improve functions like facial expressions and interpersonal communication.
Surgical treatments may include
- Eyelid surgery
.In order to help your eye close, various procedures may be performed to support your eye and make blinking more efficient.
- Reanimation surgery
. There are various types of reanimation surgery. For some procedures, a surgeon takes muscles and/or nerves from other areas of your body (some nearby and some from remote sites) and uses them to restore facial movement. Facial reanimation may involve nerve transfers, tendon transfers or muscle transplants, depending on the specific goals of treatment.
- Surgery to remove a tumor
. If facial paralysis is the result of a tumor, a surgeon may perform surgery to remove it and take pressure off your facial nerve.
- Cosmetic surgery
. There are several cosmetic surgery procedures that can restore balance and symmetry to your face. These procedures may include
brow lifts
,
facelifts
, facial slings and
eyelid surgery
.
Each case is unique and each person has their own set of specific needs. Your healthcare provider will talk to you in detail about a treatment option that’s right for you.
Facial paralysis and your eyes
If face paralysis affects your
eyes
, it can lead to chronic
dry eyes
and other complications. In these cases, your healthcare provider will recommend treatment to prevent your eyes from drying out too much. This might include:
- Eye drops and ointments.
- Taping your eyelids.
- Eye patches.
- Temporary closure of your eyelid with sutures.
- Surgery to place small weights in your eyelids to help them close.
Can I reduce my risk of facial paralysis?
In many cases, you can’t prevent the conditions or situations that may result in facial paralysis ? particularly in cases of trauma. And in instances like Bell’s palsy, symptoms often occur with no warning.
You can, however, take steps to reduce your risk of stroke ? which will, in turn, reduce your risk for stroke-related facial paralysis:
- Keep your
cholesterol
and
blood pressure
in check.
- Treat and manage health conditions like
diabetes
and
heart disease
.
- Take all medications as prescribed.
- If you
smoke
, talk to your healthcare provider about quitting.
- Limit your intake of beverages that contain alcohol.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat plenty of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.