Today, a lot of people are interested in this question: "The facial nerve - inflammation: symptoms, treatment." The fact is that this pathology gives a lot of physical and moral discomfort. This article will help you understand why this problem arises, how to deal with it, how it develops and what to do to avoid it.
General characteristics of the disease
So, the presented nerve is responsible for the movement of all the muscles of the face: blinking, sneezing and others. Its beginning is in the temporal region of the brain. Under the influence of certain factors, the nerve can become inflamed and swell. Moreover, there are different stages and forms of pathology (acute, chronic, purulent).
Inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve is characterized, the treatment of which involves a whole range of measures, in that the muscles cease to receive the necessary signals and cease to maintain tone. The muscles are paralyzed, and this can be seen externally. Naturally, a sick person experiences rather unpleasant sensations. It should be noted that the problem appears and develops very quickly.
Causes of the appearance of pathology
If your facial nerve is affected, inflammation (symptoms, treatment, the causes of the appearance of the pathology you will find out later) should be eliminated immediately. To begin with, we suggest you consider those factors that provoke the development of the disease:
- Subcooling, which leads to a violation of blood circulation in the tissues.
- Nerve injury.
- Inflammatory or infectious processes in nearby soft tissues.
- Problems with teeth, ears or any eye pathology.
- Hormonal malfunctions that occur during pregnancy.
- Intoxication of the body.
- Benign or malignant tumors that can pinch the nerve.
- Depressive state, constant stress and nervous strain.
- Systemic pathologies: diabetes mellitus, as well as other diseases that are caused by metabolic disorders.
Symptoms of the disease
If your facial nerve is affected, inflammation (symptoms, the doctor determines the treatment) can cause serious complications, in addition to the inconvenience that you already experience. Now we advise you to move on to familiarize yourself with the signs of the ailment presented. Among them are the following:
1. Paralysis of the muscles. It is clearly visible, as it is characterized by the appearance of a kind of “mask” on one half of the face. At the same time, the eye almost does not blink, a frozen, distorted smile appears, the eyebrow lowers. Facial expression is almost completely absent.
2. Difficulties with eating and communicating.
3. Hardening of hearing.
4. Pain syndrome.
5. Tingling sensations.
6. Numbness of the face, which may be accompanied by tics.
7. Lack of sleep, general weakness, irritability.
8. Difficulty in the implementation of oral hygiene procedures.
9. Tearing.
Such symptoms of inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve are specific, so it is practically impossible to confuse this disease with others. However, you should not make a diagnosis yourself, as there can always be an exception to the rule.
How to determine the pathology?
To do this, you should definitely see a neurologist and therapist. Only a specialist through an external examination, fixing the patient’s complaints and other examination methods can certainly make an accurate diagnosis.
In order not to make a mistake, a specialist can use magnetic resonance or computed tomography. Such a study allows you to determine the severity of the situation and the form of the disease. X-rays and laboratory tests may also be useful.
Mandatory is the consultation of the dentist and ENT. This will help establish or refute one or another reason for the development of inflammation. In order to establish the degree of nerve damage, it is examined using electric current. That is, you must find out his level of excitability.
Disease classification
We continue to consider the topic: “Facial nerve: inflammation, symptoms, treatment.” The latter, by the way, is made depending on the signs that influenced the development of the pathology, factors and type of disease — they will help determine which therapy you need. Now you should consider what forms of pathology So, we can distinguish the following types of disease:
1. Primary. Most often, this form appears due to hypothermia.
2. Secondary. An infection or intoxication of the body can lead to the occurrence of this type of inflammation.
3. Mono-or polyneuritis. In this case, one nerve or all three is inflamed.
4. Hunt syndrome. It appears if the patient has shingles.
5. Melkerson-Rosenthal syndrome. In addition to inflammation of the facial nerve, it is characterized by other symptoms.
Traditional therapy
If you have been diagnosed with trigeminal inflammation, a doctor should prescribe treatment. Recovery in most cases occurs within a month. However, to restore all the functions of the nerve and muscles, it will take much more time (up to six months).
To begin with, the doctor will prescribe you drugs to eliminate the symptoms of the pathology. For example, painkillers: Drotaverin, Analgin. To eliminate the inflammatory process, drugs such as: “Prednisone”, “Dexamethasone” are used. In order to reduce swelling of the nerve, the medication “Torasemide” should be used. For the expansion of blood vessels and restoration of blood circulation are used funds "Eufillin", "Vazotin". A medicine such as Proserinum will help stop and reverse the progress of motor disorders of the face.
In almost all cases, drugs are taken orally. In order to accelerate the effect, injections can be made. However, an experienced specialist should do this and only with appropriate indications.
Physiotherapy and massage
These procedures are included in the complex fight against the disease after conservative therapy is started. In this case, the treatment of the facial nerve is performed using UHF, articulatory and therapeutic exercises, herbal medicine and acupuncture. That is, you will try to restore all the lost functions: pronunciation, chewing, movement with facial muscles and others. Ozokerite and other types of nerve warming are beneficial. It should be noted that the minimum course of treatment is 8 procedures.
Facial nerve massage is a very effective way to restore muscle functionality. You can do it yourself, the main thing is that you need to know how to do it. So, hands should be placed on the face in front of the auricle. Stretch the muscles in the following order: on the healthy half - down, on the sick - up. Above the eyebrows, movements are made in different directions. Such a comprehensive treatment of the facial nerve will help you recover quickly.
Features of the use of folk remedies
Unconventional methods for eliminating pathology are a good addition to the main therapy. The following tools can help you:
1. Fir oil. It should be applied to the affected area in a small amount. This tool helps to quickly remove inflammation.
2. If facial paralysis is accompanied by severe pain, use flaxseed lotions. To do this, put a small amount of raw material in cheesecloth, boil it for a couple of minutes, cool slightly and apply to the affected area.
3. Mummy solution, which can be safely bought at the pharmacy, rub daily in the area of nerve inflammation. This tool also has a good anti-inflammatory effect. It should be noted that the mummy can be consumed inside. However, for this it is better to mix it with honey.
4. A spoonful of yarrow pour a glass of boiling water. Infuse the mixture for no more than an hour. Then it should be taken one large spoon up to 4 times a day.
5. For treatment, use geranium leaves. It is advisable to thoroughly wash them before use. Next, the sheet is applied to the affected area, covered with cotton and film and tied with a warm scarf. Such a procedure must be done twice a day.
Facial paralysis in this way should be treated only after consulting a specialist.
Preventative measures
They suggest a healthy lifestyle. Try to avoid head injuries and hypothermia. In addition, you need to carefully treat all dental diseases with an experienced doctor. Treat all pathologies of the ears, throat and nose in time.
Naturally, if the facial nerve, the photo of which you can see in the article, is still inflamed, then you need to see a doctor immediately. A favorable prognosis for a full recovery and recovery is more than 75%. However, if the treatment of the pathology is delayed, then these chances are sharply reduced.
Be healthy and take care of yourself.