If you consider that the facial nerve performs a number of important tasks in the body regarding the motor function of the face, then its inflammation can lead to a noticeable asymmetry of the face. It is important here to immediately clarify that such an anomaly is easily treated exclusively at an early stage of diagnosis, later treatment or its complete absence is fraught with irreversible violations of facial symmetry. Why is this happening?
First of all, it should be clarified that the facial nerve starts from the central nervous system, leaves the skull area and gives five main branches with a large number of processes that cover almost the entire face. In addition, this nerve ending has a motor character, that is, it distributes muscle impulses, providing a “live” facial expression and numerous reflexes. What is the cause of inflammation of the facial nerve, the symptoms of which are hard to miss? In medicine, this pathological process was called neuritis, the causes of which are many, but still conditionally distinguish the following: facial swelling, hypothermia, injuries of various nature, as well as chemical effects directly on the facial nerve.
Before talking about this disease, it is necessary to clarify that the primary form of facial neuritis, which is exclusively colds, and the secondary, which is a consequence of an existing disease, are isolated. In the latter case, herpetic infection, mumps and otitis media are meant. Also, do not exclude facial nerve injuries directly related to circulatory disorders.
If we talk about the external signs of such an anomaly, the clinical picture completely depends on the stage of progression of the pathology. A characteristic symptom is a clear paralysis of facial muscles, prevailing on one half of the face, which is accompanied by pain in the ear. But often, such pains can occur a couple of days earlier, as if warning of an impending exacerbation, and the strength of the pain syndrome also depends on the area of the lesion. If the facial nerve is inflamed in the core zone, the patient observes only visual paralysis of the facial muscles, and if pathology affects the root of the facial nerve in the brain bridge, paralysis is supplemented by weakness of the external muscle of the eye. If the facial nerve aggravates in the area of departure from the brain stem, then the patient may complain of deafness, and if inflammation in the bone channel of the temporal bone pyramid is diagnosed, dry mucous eyes, as well as a violation of taste and salivation, can be observed. One way or another, the patient can only inform the specialist about the existing abnormalities, and the doctor, in turn, must make the correct diagnosis and choose an alternative treatment.
After the diagnosis of "Inflammation of the facial nerve", the treatment should be immediate and completely depend on the stage and form of the disease. If the facial nerve was cold, it is necessary to get rid of swelling of the tissues as soon as possible and stop the inflammatory process. For this, the specialist recommends non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as vasodilators and diuretics. If there is a difficulty in facial expressions, which is also accompanied by pain, glucocorticoid hormones are additionally prescribed. After the inflammatory process has been stopped, it is necessary with the help of special medications to resume the function of the facial nerve and strengthen the immunity weakened during the disease. But it is important to remember that productive treatment is not limited solely to drug therapy, it is also advisable to carry out a set of physiotherapeutic procedures, which first help to relieve inflammation and swelling, and then restore the main function of the nerve.
This pathology is not fatal, however, and it is not worth running it, because such a negligent attitude can result in irreversible changes in the face for the rest of your life.