Facial neuritis should visit which department?

Written by Tang Bo
Neurology
Updated on September 08, 2024
00:00
00:00

Facial neuritis should be treated by the Department of Neurology, but after the acute phase, physiotherapy can be performed at the Rehabilitation Department. Facial neuritis is caused by non-specific inflammation of the facial nerve within the stylomastoid foramen, leading to peripheral facial paralysis. The exact cause is currently unclear, but it is believed to be related to optic nerve viral infections. It usually occurs after exposure to cold and upper respiratory infections, and can occur at any age, most commonly between 20 and 40 years, with a higher incidence in males than females. It starts acutely, peaking within a few hours or days, mainly presenting as paralysis of the facial expression muscles, disappearance of forehead lines, inability to frown or wrinkle the forehead, and inability to close the eyelids or incomplete closure. Therefore, during the acute phase, treatment in the Department of Neurology is necessary, and rehabilitation treatment can be sought after the acute phase in the Rehabilitation Department.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
1min 18sec home-news-image

How long does facial neuritis require acupuncture treatment?

Facial nerve neuritis, acupuncture is a very important rehabilitation method for it. The duration of acupuncture should be analyzed based on different individuals. Acupuncture mainly helps with the recovery from facial nerve neuritis. The duration of acupuncture is primarily to restore the movement and sensation of the facial expression muscles on the affected side to be almost the same as the healthy side. At that point, acupuncture can be stopped. Based on clinical situations, most people might need about 2-3 courses of acupuncture to see improvement. However, there are a very small number of people who might need a longer duration of acupuncture, such as 4-5 courses, and some even longer. The duration of acupuncture depends on the location of the nerve damage. If the damage is close to the inside of the skull, the duration might be longer, whereas if it's closer to the outside, it might be shorter. Additionally, the constitution of the patient also plays a role; patients with a stronger constitution might require less time, while those who are weaker, older, or have complications such as diabetes might need a longer duration of acupuncture.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
57sec home-news-image

Is facial neuritis prone to recurrence?

For idiopathic facial neuritis, this is a nonspecific inflammatory reaction caused by an immune function disorder of the body. The probability of recurrence of this disease is not particularly high. Patients should pay attention to exercising and enhancing their physical fitness. During the onset of the disease, treatment with corticosteroids, B vitamins, etc., should be given, and the prognosis is generally good with a very low recurrence rate. However, it should be noted that sometimes facial paralysis may be caused by other diseases, such as some tumors, especially malignant lymphomas, whose initial symptoms might affect the facial nerve, causing repeated paralysis. Clinically, when seeing patients with repetitive facial neuritis, it is crucial to consider the possibility of such diseases to avoid missed diagnoses. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
51sec home-news-image

Clinical manifestations of facial neuritis

**Point One**: Patients with facial neuritis may exhibit clinical manifestations such as crooked mouth corners and shallower nasolabial folds. They may also experience water leakage while drinking, disappearance of forehead wrinkles, weakness in closing the eyes, and some patients may even sleep with their eyes open. **Point Two**: Patients might also experience taste disturbances, particularly noticeable in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, and may also have secretion disorders of the salivary and lacrimal glands. **Point Three**: Some patients may experience hypersensitivity to sound, characterized by herpes on the tympanic membrane of the external auditory canal. Facial neuritis is a nonspecific inflammatory response, and treatment with corticosteroids can be effective.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Does facial neuritis need treatment?

Bell's palsy is a nonspecific inflammatory reaction, primarily caused by impairment of the facial nerve leading to paralysis of the facial muscles. In general, if the symptoms of Bell's palsy are mild, such as slight drooping of the corner of the mouth and drooling, there is a possibility for spontaneous recovery. However, if the symptoms of Bell's palsy are severe, and the patient also has risk factors for diabetes, these symptoms mainly include noticeably shallower forehead wrinkles, weakness in opening and closing the eyes, inability to close the eyes while sleeping, and very severe facial paralysis. In such cases, spontaneous recovery is difficult, and active treatment is required. Treatment mainly includes corticosteroid drugs and B vitamins, along with some rehabilitative training. In summary, Bell's palsy can resolve on its own if the symptoms are mild; however, if the symptoms are severe, timely treatment is necessary to avoid lasting effects.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
49sec home-news-image

Symptoms of facial neuritis

The clinical symptoms of facial neuritis mainly manifest as peripheral facial paralysis, such as the patient's affected side having shallower forehead wrinkles, or disappearing wrinkles, weakened eyelid closure, and in some severe cases, the inability to close the eyes, which can easily lead to corneal damage. There is also noticeable drooping of the mouth corner, a shallower nasolabial fold, and leaking while drinking. The affected individuals are unable to whistle or puff their cheeks. Some patients may also experience disorders in the secretion of salivary and lacrimal glands, taste disturbances at the anterior part of the tongue, and a few may have herpes zoster in the external auditory canal or periosteum with significant pain. The treatment for facial neuritis generally involves the use of corticosteroids.