Patient's question:
A few weeks ago, after treating my left facial paralysis, my right face started to swell about 5 days later. It's been over a week and it hasn't gone down. Recently, I've been on a diet, basically only eating at noon and evening and going for runs. What could be the reason and how should it be treated?Doctor's answer:
The treatment principle for Bell's palsy is to promote local inflammation, edema, and early resolution while enhancing the complete recovery of nerve function. For peripheral facial nerve palsy caused by viral infection, medications such as antivirals, neurotrophic agents, corticosteroids, and B vitamins can be used. Protecting exposed corneas and preventing conjunctival dryness can be achieved by using eye drops and ointments. Manual massage of the affected facial area can be performed daily for 5 to 10 minutes. Common physical therapy methods include ultrashort wave therapy, low-to-mid frequency electrotherapy, laser therapy, and drug infusion. If the facial nerve paralysis has not fully recovered after three months of conservative treatment, and both the measured facial nerve conduction velocity and electromyography (EMG) tests show no response (i.e., no electrical activity), surgical intervention may be considered.