The facial nerve, mainly, is responsible for the functioning of the facial muscles of the face. However, in its trunk also pass the fibers that cause the innervation of the lacrimal gland and the sternum muscle, which protects the ear from a sound stroke, and also responsible for some parts of the taste sensitivity of the tongue. The facial nerve consists of two branches, and in case of lesion, only one of them suffers more often. In this regard paresis of the facial nerve in most cases is one-sided.
Causes of paresis of the facial nerve
When paresis, weakening of the motor abilities of the muscles, for which the nerve is responsible (in contrast to paralysis, in which there is a complete lack of movement). The main factors leading to paresis of the facial nerve are:
- inflammation or infection of the nerve stem as a result of acute or chronic otitis media (most often);
- trauma during a radical surgery on the ear;
- supercooling;
- various infectious diseases (herpes, poliomyelitis, parotitis, syphilis, tuberculosis, etc.);
- craniocerebral trauma;
- stroke;
- tumors in the head.
Symptoms of paresis of the facial nerve
There are two types of defeat. Let's consider each in more detail.
Central paresis of facial nerve
Such a pathology develops when the nervous tissue is damaged above the motor nucleus of the facial nerve on the opposite side of the focus. In this case, there is a one-sided weakness in the facial muscles of the lower parts of the face, which in most cases is combined with hemiparesis (a muscle of one half of the body).
Peripheral paresis of facial nerve
It is observed more often, it develops as a result of lesion of the facial nerve from the motor nucleus to the exit site from the stylophyllum opening on the same side. Based on the localization of the lesion, the following symptoms can be observed:
- pain behind the ear;
- hypotonic muscles of the face on one side;
- asymmetry of the face, increasing with the change of facial expressions;
- The impossibility of completely covering up the eye on the side of defeat;
- stuck food with food, leakage of liquid food and saliva from the corner of the mouth on the affected side;
- difficulty speaking;
- lacrimation of the eye or, conversely, the absence of teardrops;
- dry mouth because of a disorder of the salivary glands;
- lack of taste sensitivity on the front lobe of the tongue;
- Hypersensitivity to low tones of sound.
How to treat paresis of the facial nerve?
Treatment of paresis of the facial nerve should be started as early as possible in order to avoid the onset of complete paralysis. Diagnostic measures may include:
- examination of the fundus;
- examination of ENT organs;
- electromyography of facial muscles;
- computed tomography of the brain;
- electroencephalography of the brain, etc.
Based on the conducted studies, the nature, localization and extent of the lesion is determined, and the tactics of treatment are chosen.
Medicamentous treatment is based on the following drugs:
- vasodilators;
- antispasmodics;
- decongestants;
- corticosteroids ;
- sedatives;
- vitamins of group B, etc.
A further therapeutic course is aimed at restoring the affected nerve fibers of the nerves and preventing muscle atrophy. For this purpose, physiotherapy and drugs that improve metabolic processes are prescribed. Effective are such physiotherapy methods as:
- electromyostimulation;
- thermal procedures;
- electrophoresis;
- balneotherapy;
- massage;
- physiotherapy.
If the conservative therapy is ineffective, an operative treatment can be prescribed.
Treatment of paresis of the facial nerve can be supplemented with folk methods at home (with the permission of the doctor). For example, it is recommended to warm the affected side of the face with heated salt or sand, placed in a linen bag. It is also possible to rub the fir oil, which has a regenerating effect, into the lesion sites.