Patient's question:
What is the difference between peripheral facial palsy and central facial palsy? Is peripheral facial palsy less severe than the latter?Doctor's answer:
Peripheral facial palsy refers to facial nerve paralysis caused by cold exposure or viral infections. In treatment, the main approach involves antiviral, blood-activating and stasis-dispelling, muscle-strengthening and meridian-activating, wind-dispelling and dampness-removing, and nerve-nourishing medications, which are combined with acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy for better therapeutic effects. On the other hand, central facial palsy is caused by facial nerve paralysis resulting from neurological control issues due to cerebrovascular diseases. In addition to the aforementioned treatments, it is essential to actively treat the underlying primary condition. Compared to central facial palsy, peripheral facial palsy is significantly milder.