Patient's question:
53 years old, always been in good health before, suddenly felt numb on the right side of the face yesterday, and found drooping eyelids and mouth this morning. Everything else is fine. What could be the reason? The family is very anxious now!Doctor's answer:
Hello. Based on the situation you described, the possibility of facial paralysis is high. First, it is necessary to differentiate whether it is central or peripheral. The difference between the two lies in whether frowning occurs on both sides with the appearance of forehead wrinkles. If it does, it is central, primarily caused by central lesions such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, or other space-occupying lesions, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required for exclusion. Peripheral facial paralysis is most commonly Bell's palsy, which is related to herpes simplex virus infection, as well as Hunt's syndrome, among others. Middle ear diseases and tumors can also cause facial paralysis, requiring further examination. Treatment mainly includes nerve nutrition, antiviral therapy, corticosteroids, acupuncture, physical therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, and some patients may need facial nerve decompression surgery. An outpatient visit is required.