Many of us have experienced this in our daily lives: waking up to find water leaking when rinsing our mouths, looking in the mirror to find our mouths are crooked and we’re leaking air when we speak, and food particles constantly lodging between our teeth and cheeks when we eat. We can’t even lift our eyebrows, close our eyes, puff out our cheeks, or even bar our teeth, leaving us feeling completely uglier. What’s going on? If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s a sign of facial paralysis. So what exactly is facial paralysis, and how can you avoid being noticed by someone with facial paralysis?
What is facial paralysis
Facial palsy, also known as facial nerve paralysis, refers to partial or complete paralysis of the facial muscles on one side due to various reasons, resulting in impaired movement. This condition not only impairs facial function but also severely affects the patient’s mood and can even cause psychological problems, thereby reducing their quality of life.
Causes of facial paralysis
1. Exposure to cold weather, cold face, sleeping with windows open facing the wind, etc.
2. Contraction and spasm of the vasculature that nourishes the facial nerve or blood circulation disorders can easily cause ischemia and damage to the facial nerve.
3. Various viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus, herpes zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, Sarkozy virus, etc.
4. Immune dysfunction leads to low immune function: such as staying up late, fatigue, depression, etc.
5. Genetic factors.
6. Other factors: The incidence of some underlying diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and other special conditions in people is also higher than that of ordinary people.
Symptoms of facial paralysis
Facial paralysis can occur at any age, with an acute onset, reaching its peak within a few hours or 1-3 days. Initial symptoms include pain behind the ear, in the mastoid area, inside the ear, or at the mandibular angle. Paralysis of the facial muscles on the affected side may occur, forehead wrinkles may disappear or become shallower, palpebral fissures may not close or close incompletely, the nasolabial groove on the affected side may become shallower, the corner of the mouth may droop, and the corner of the mouth may tilt toward the healthy side when teeth are leaking. Air leaks when puffing the cheeks, blowing, or rinsing the mouth may occur. Paralysis of the cheek muscles can cause food to become trapped between the teeth and cheek on the affected side, and saliva often leaks from that side. Some people also experience loss of taste and abnormal taste in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue on the affected side.
Treatment of facial paralysis
There are many factors that cause facial paralysis, and the treatment methods are different for different situations. In the early stage of facial paralysis, the main treatment is to promote blood circulation in the face, relieve facial nerve edema, and eliminate facial nerve inflammation. In the later stage, the main treatment is to restore the function of facial muscles. At present, our Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine mainly uses the following treatment methods:
1. Acupuncture. Acupuncture is an effective treatment for facial paralysis and one of the unique methods used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine intervention during the acute phase of facial paralysis can significantly improve the cure rate. During this acute phase, shallow acupuncture of facial acupoints and acupuncture of the limbs can strengthen the body’s resistance, dispel pathogenic factors, and harmonize yin and yang, playing a significant role in promoting the resolution of inflammatory edema.
Our department has accumulated extensive clinical experience treating numerous patients with facial paralysis over the years. Through research and observation of patients at different stages of their condition, we have continuously optimized our treatment plans, achieving faster and more effective results in unblocking facial meridians, promoting facial blood circulation, and facilitating the recovery of facial muscle function. We provide precision treatment for patients at different stages of facial paralysis through a variety of methods, including flash cupping, warm acupuncture, suspended moxibustion, grain-shaped moxibustion, and acupoint injection.
2. Oral Chinese herbal decoctions. Currently, oral Chinese medicine is an effective treatment for facial paralysis. Through syndrome differentiation and treatment, tailored prescriptions are developed for each patient, such as Gegen Decoction, Qianzheng Powder, Daqinjiu Decoction, and Buyanghuanwu Decoction. In the acute phase, a combination of Chinese and Western medicine, combined with oral steroids, antivirals, and neurotrophic drugs, can shorten the course of treatment.
3. Chinese medicine fumigation and hot compress. By selecting Chinese medicine that is appropriate for the symptoms at different times, patients can undergo fumigation and hot compress to warm the blood circulation and meridians, strengthen the body and eliminate evil, and promote the recovery of facial paralysis.
Daily care for facial paralysis
Early treatment of facial paralysis is the key. At the same time as treatment, the patient’s daily care also plays an indispensable role in the recovery of the disease. Let’s talk about what daily care patients need to do.
1. Be careful about your daily life and avoid the cold. Simply put, go to bed early and get up late, ensure adequate sleep, avoid sleeping near a window, and avoid being directly exposed to air conditioning or fans.
2. Adjust your diet. As the saying goes, “If you take medicine without dietary restrictions, the doctor’s work is in vain.” During treatment, avoid spicy and irritating seafood, fried foods, and grilled foods. Quit smoking and drinking. Eat whole grains for nourishment, and fruits and vegetables for support.
3. Relax your emotions. A good mood is also crucial for the recovery of this disease. Sudden changes in facial appearance can make patients anxious and nervous. These are stumbling blocks on the road to recovery from facial paralysis. It is necessary to adjust your mentality in time and respond positively.
4. Facial training. Facial care is an enhancement to daytime treatment and can be done at home.
① Eyebrow lifting exercise: fix the eyebrows on the healthy side, and lift the eyebrows on the affected side of the upper body.
② Eye-closing training: fix the eyebrows and eyes of the healthy side, and close both eyes at the same time
③ Nose-lifting training: Fix the nasal muscles on the healthy side and apply force towards the nose when lifting the nose.
④ Tooth demonstration training: fix the healthy side of the mouth corner, and the patient moves to both sides of the mouth corners simultaneously.
⑤ Mouth pouting training: Fix the corner of the mouth on the healthy side, contract the lips forcefully and pout the mouth forward.
⑥ Cheek puffing exercise: Fix the corner of the mouth on the healthy side. When air leaks from puffing the cheeks, pinch the orbicularis oris muscle on the affected side up and down with your hands to perform cheek puffing exercise.
Practice each of the above movements 20 times, 2-3 times a day. You can practice in front of a mirror at home.
5. Acupoint massage: Massage the corresponding acupoints to continuously stimulate the facial meridians on the affected side, gradually achieving qualitative change through quantitative change.
In summary, there are many treatment options for facial paralysis. The first three months after onset are the most critical period for treatment. Patients should seek medical attention promptly upon onset and provide timely feedback to their doctors during treatment so that they can adjust their treatment plans. I believe that after recovering from facial paralysis, you will still be as beautiful as a flower and look your best.