Patient's question:
My uncle, who is only in his forties, has developed facial paralysis recently. His mouth is, and he can't speak clearly. He is very anxious and often gets angry with his family, sometimes even throwing things. We are all very worried about him.Doctor's answer:
Hello, Bell's palsy is caused by facial nerve inflammation. The main cause of onset is due to the face being exposed to cold wind, leading to spasm of the microvessels that nourish the facial nerve, resulting in local tissue ischemia and hypoxia. Some also believe it may be related to viral infection, while others think it could be an immune response. For treating Bell's palsy, the early stage focuses on improving local blood circulation, reducing inflammation and edema of the facial nerve, while the later stage emphasizes promoting the recovery of nerve function. Medications such as prednisone, vitamin B1, and vitamin B12 can be used, along with physical therapy, heat application, massage, and acupuncture.