Symptoms of Post-Facial Nerve Neuritis

Written by Li Min
Neurology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Facial nerve inflammation is caused by a viral infection due to a decrease in the body's resistance, leading to inflammation characterized by damage to the facial nerve. Its symptoms mainly include the lightening of the forehead wrinkles on the same side, incomplete closure of the eye, and drooping facial muscles due to lack of nerve support, resulting in facial nerve drooping which can cause symptoms such as skewed mouth corners, spilling while drinking, and drooling. Sequela depends on the symptoms of the disease, the timeliness of treatment, and the timeliness of recovery, but the ratio of symptomatic to asymptomatic cases is typically 50% and 50%. Young people, those with milder symptoms, those treated promptly, those treated appropriately, and those who recover well are less likely to suffer sequelae, and vice versa.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 7sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for facial neuritis?

Facial neuritis is a nonspecific inflammatory response of the facial nerve, which causes paralysis of the facial nerve, leading to paralysis of the facial muscles it controls. Facial neuritis is treated in the neurology department of many hospitals, so registration for facial neuritis should be done under neurology. Neurologists will make necessary diagnoses based on the patient's clinical symptoms, then prescribe relevant auxiliary examinations to rule out other conditions, such as facial neuritis caused by Guillain-Barre syndrome, and exclude facial paralysis caused by cranial ocupations. Additionally, some hospitals' maxillofacial surgery departments also treat facial neuritis, so one could also visit maxillofacial surgery for treatment. Overall, facial neuritis is primarily managed in neurology departments, though in some hospitals, it can also be managed in neurosurgery departments. Treatment for facial neuritis mainly involves administration of corticosteroids and B vitamins, such as vitamin B1, B6, and B12.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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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.

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Written by Li Min
Neurology
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Facial neuritis requires the use of steroids.

Bell's palsy, or facial neuritis, is caused by stimulation or viral infection of the facial nerves, leading to facial nerve paralysis. This generally refers to peripheral facial neuritis. Early treatment includes antiviral, anti-inflammatory, nerve nourishment, and free radical scavenging. Therefore, early treatment of facial neuritis requires steroid therapy, commonly using oral prednisone. The dosage is determined by body weight, at 1 milligram per kilogram, taken orally for a week, then discontinued. The next step in the treatment plan involves acupuncture and physical therapy. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Tang Ying
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
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Can facial neuritis heal by itself?

If it's a case of facial neuritis, generally very mild facial neuritis tends to heal on its own, but it takes time. Common symptoms of facial neuritis include incomplete eyelid closure and deviation of the mouth. More severe cases may even experience reduced taste and hearing. Under such circumstances, it is recommended that patients seek medical attention at a formal hospital as soon as possible to avoid delaying treatment. The best recovery period for facial neuritis is within three weeks; therefore, as time delays, the difficulty of recovery increases. Thus, we advise patients with particularly evident symptoms to seek medical care promptly.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Causes of facial neuritis

The etiology of facial neuritis is not very clear, but some views suggest that viral infections can cause edema of the facial nerve, leading to compression of the nerve and resulting in inflammation. Additionally, some nonspecific inflammatory responses can also lead to edema of the facial nerve, presenting some clinical manifestations of facial paralysis. Other high-risk factors for facial neuritis include diabetes, autonomic instability, rheumatoid immune diseases, lymphoma, etc. Therefore, it is evident that the mechanisms of facial neuritis onset are unclear, with potential causes including viral infections, diabetes, central nervous system lymphoma, or autonomic instability, all of which can lead to facial neuritis. The primary symptom of facial neuritis is paralysis of the facial muscles. With standard treatment, complete recovery generally occurs within one to two months. Facial neuritis caused by tumors tends to recur and requires heightened vigilance.