Today, a lot of people are interested in this question: “Facial nerve - inflammation: symptoms, treatment.” The point is that this pathology causes a lot of physical and moral discomfort. This article will help you understand why this problem occurs, how it needs to be dealt with, how it develops and what to do to avoid it.
General characteristics of the disease
So, the presented nerve is responsible for the movement of all blinking, sneezing and others. Its beginning is in temporal region brain. Under the influence of certain factors, the nerve can become inflamed and swollen. At the same time, there are different stages and forms of pathology (acute, chronic, purulent).
Characterized by inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve, the treatment of which involves a whole range of measures, in that the muscles stop receiving the necessary signals and cease to maintain tone. The muscles are paralyzed, and this is visible externally. Naturally, a sick person experiences quite unpleasant sensations. It should be noted that the problem appears and develops very quickly.
Causes of pathology
If your facial nerve is affected, inflammation (symptoms, treatment, causes of pathology you will learn further) must be eliminated immediately. To begin with, we suggest you consider the factors that provoke the development of the disease:
Hypothermia, which leads to impaired blood circulation in the tissues.
Nerve injury.
Inflammatory or infectious processes in nearby soft tissues.
Problems with teeth, ears or any eye pathologies.
Hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy.
Intoxication of the body.
Benign or malignant tumors who can
Depressive state, constant stress and nervous tension.
Systemic pathologies: diabetes mellitus, as well as other diseases that are caused by metabolic disorders.
Symptoms of the disease
If your facial nerve is affected, inflammation (symptoms, treatment determined by your doctor) may cause serious complications, besides the inconveniences you are already experiencing. Now we advise you to move on to familiarize yourself with the signs of the presented disease. Among them are the following:
1. Muscle paralysis. It is clearly visible, as it is characterized by the appearance of a kind of “mask” on one half of the face. At the same time, the eye hardly blinks, a frozen, distorted smile appears, and the eyebrow lowers. Facial expressions are almost completely absent.
2. Difficulty eating and communicating.
3. Increased hearing sharpness.
4. Pain syndrome.
5. Tingling sensations.
6. Numbness of the face, which may be accompanied by tics.
7. Lack of sleep, general weakness, irritability.
8. Difficulty in implementation hygiene procedures oral cavity.
9. Tearing.
Such symptoms of inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve are specific, so it is almost impossible to confuse this disease with others. However, you should not make a diagnosis yourself, since there can always be an exception to the rule.
How to correctly determine pathology?
To do this, you should definitely see a neurologist and therapist. Only a specialist, through an external examination, recording the patient’s complaints and other examination methods, can certainly make an accurate diagnosis.
In order not to make a mistake, a specialist can use magnetic resonance or computed tomography. Such a study allows us to determine the severity of the situation and the form of the disease. It may also be useful x-rays, as well as laboratory tests.
Consultation with a dentist and ENT specialist is mandatory. This will help establish or refute one or another reason for the development of inflammation. In order to determine the extent of nerve damage, it is examined using electric current. That is, you must find out his level of excitability.
Classification of the disease
We continue to consider the topic: “Facial nerve: inflammation, symptoms, treatment.” The latter, by the way, is carried out depending on the signs that influenced the development of the pathology, factors and type of disease - they will help determine what kind of therapy you need. Now you should consider what forms of pathology So, we can distinguish the following types of disease:
1. Primary. Most often, this form appears due to hypothermia.
2. Secondary. This type of inflammation can be caused by infection or intoxication of the body.
3. Mono- or polyneuritis. In this case, one nerve or all three become inflamed.
4. Hunt's syndrome. It appears if the patient is diagnosed with herpes zoster.
5. Melkerson-Rosenthal syndrome. In addition to inflammation of the facial nerve, it is characterized by other symptoms.
Traditional therapy
If you are diagnosed with inflammation of the trigeminal facial nerve, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. Recovery in most cases occurs within a month. However, it will take much longer (up to six months) to restore all functions of the nerve and muscles.
To begin with, the doctor will prescribe you medications to eliminate the symptoms of the pathology. For example, painkillers: “Drotaverine”, “Analgin”. To eliminate the inflammatory process, drugs such as Prednisolone and Dexamethasone are used. In order to reduce swelling of the nerve, you should use the drug "Torasemide". To dilate blood vessels and restore blood circulation, the drugs “Eufillin” and “Vazotin” are used. A medicine like Proserin will help stop and reverse progress motor disorders faces.
In almost all cases, the drugs are taken orally. To speed up the effect, you can give injections. However, this should be done by an experienced specialist and only when indicated.
Physiotherapy and massage
These procedures are part of the complex to combat the disease after conservative therapy has been started. In this case, treatment of the facial nerve is carried out using UHF, articulation and therapeutic exercises, herbal medicine and acupuncture. That is, you will try to restore all lost functions: pronunciation, chewing, movement and others. Ozokerite and other types of nerve heating are useful. It should be noted that the minimum course of treatment is 8 procedures.
Facial nerve massage is a very effective way to restore muscle functionality. You can do it yourself, the main thing is to know how to do it. So, you need to place your hands on the area of your face in front of the ear. You need to stretch the muscles in this order: on the healthy half - down, on the sick half - up. Above the eyebrows, movements are made in different sides. This comprehensive treatment of the facial nerve will help you recover quickly.
Features of using folk remedies
Non-traditional methods of eliminating pathology are a good addition to the main therapy. The following tools may help you:
1. It should be applied to the affected area in small quantities. This remedy helps to remove inflammation faster.
2. If facial paralysis is accompanied by severe pain, use flaxseed lotions. To do this, place a small amount of raw material in gauze, boil it for a couple of minutes, cool slightly and apply to the affected area.
3. Rub the mummy solution, which you can easily buy at the pharmacy, daily in the area of the nerve inflammation. This remedy also has a good anti-inflammatory effect. It should be noted that mumiyo can be consumed orally. However, for this it is better to stir it with honey.
4. Pour a glass of boiling water over a spoonful of yarrow. Leave the mixture for no more than an hour. Then it should be taken one at a time big spoon up to 4 times a day.
5. Use geranium leaves for treatment. It is advisable to wash them thoroughly before use. Next, the sheet is applied to the affected area, covered with cotton wool and film, and tied with a warm scarf. This procedure must be done twice a day.
Facial paralysis should be treated in this way only after consultation with a specialist.
Preventive measures
They involve leading a healthy lifestyle. Try to avoid head injuries and hypothermia. In addition, you need to carefully treat everything dental diseases from an experienced doctor. Treat all pathologies of the ears, nose and throat in a timely manner.
Naturally, if the facial nerve, a photo of which you can see in the article, is still inflamed, then you need to immediately consult a doctor. The favorable prognosis for complete recovery and recovery is more than 75%. However, if treatment of the pathology is delayed, then these chances are sharply reduced.
Be healthy and take care of yourself.
An inflammatory disease of the VII pair of cranial nerves, which can occur after severe hypothermia, as a complication after viral and infectious diseases, is called neuritis (neuralgia) of the facial nerve. In medicine, the name used is “neuritis”, “Bell’s palsy” or “neuropathy”, depending on the cause of the disease.
The term “facial nerve neuralgia” is often used on the Internet, which is a completely incorrect definition. Neuralgia, as a pain syndrome, can occur in the pathology of the facial nerve, but does not occur in isolation, as isolated pain. In neuritis, motor disturbances are necessarily present.
Please note: Some sources mistakenly confuse trigeminal neuralgia with neuritis (neuropathy) of the facial nerve. These are two completely different diseases, occurring with different symptoms and complaints. The trigeminal and facial nerves innervate different anatomical structures.
We recommend reading:With neuritis (neuralgia) of the facial nerve, the patient cannot frown and raise his eyebrows, is unable to smile, and is unable to drink and chew normally while eating. The patient's face is distorted. The process in most cases affects one nerve of a pair, so manifestations of the disease cause facial asymmetry.
What is the facial nerve
In total, a person has XII pairs of cranial nerves, which contain their central nuclei in the brain, and a peripheral network in different parts of the head. Each pair performs only its own functions and innervation.
VII pair - the facial nerve innervates the muscles involved in facial expressions - the orbicularis oris muscle, the occipital group, the stylohyoid muscle, the digastric muscle (posterior belly), and the subcutaneous muscle of the neck. The motor nuclei of this cranial pair are located near medulla oblongata. Anatomical structure The facial nerve is very complex. The path from the nerve nuclei to the muscles is very tortuous and passes through various anatomical structures of the head.
Causes leading to the development of Bell's palsy
Neuritis of the facial nerve can develop with:
- damage to nerve fibers (swelling and inflammation) by a virus, including epidemic pathogens (mumps), and;
- (as a result of decreased immunity). Prolonged spasm of blood vessels leads to disruption of nerve nutrition and the development of pathology;
- long-term drinking of alcohol. Alcohol is a neurotoxic poison and causes inflammation of the nervous tissue;
- , violation cerebral circulation, . In this case small vessels also spasm and cause problems with trophism (nutrition) of the facial nerve;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester);
- tumor diseases. The growing mass can put pressure on the facial nerve, causing painful symptoms;
- traumatic brain and maxillofacial injuries, physical damage to the ear. Neuritis occurs as a result of direct damage to the nerve, or pressure on it from edematous tissue;
- dental diseases, infection from the affected tooth;
- diseases of the paranasal sinuses (), middle ear (). Inflammation of the palatine tonsils, pharynx, nose, can also become sources of infections affecting the facial nerve;
- endocrine diseases ();
- blockage arterial vessels, feeding the facial nerve with atherosclerotic plaques, as a result of which the nerve ceases to be supplied with blood;
- , mental illnesses in which there is a general suppression of the immune system;
- absent-minded With this disease, destruction of the sheaths of nerve fibers occurs, in particular, damage to the facial nerve.
The mechanism of development of neuritis (neuralgia) of the facial nerve
Spasm of the arteries leads to stagnation of blood and leakage of plasma into the tissue. This causes swelling, leading to compression of the arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels, which worsens the symptoms of edema.
The blood supply to the nerves is disrupted; nervous tissue, as is known, is very quickly destroyed as a result of lack of oxygen. The nerve trunk begins to swell, and foci of hemorrhage appear in it. Nerve impulses lose the ability to travel. The signals sent from the brain and cortical structures do not reach the performing muscles. This leads to the manifestation of complaints in the patient and symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of facial neuritis
Important: neuritis of the facial nerve always develops acutely.
Before the full development of clinical manifestations, the patient may experience pain behind the ear, radiating to the face, back of the head, or orbit (the beginning of nerve swelling).
The inability of the brain to control the facial muscles on the side of the nerve lesion gradually develops.
The patient has:
- mask-like face on the painful side and loss of symmetry;
- wide opening of the eye, drooping of the corner of the mouth, smoothing of the nasolabial fold. These signs especially appear when talking, trying to laugh, or when crying;
- pouring liquid food from the corner of the mouth;
- frequent biting of the patient's cheek while eating;
- dry mouth is a consequence of a violation of the innervation of the salivary gland, or vice versa - profuse drooling from the drooping corner of the mouth;
- problems with speech - slurring, especially when trying to pronounce sounds - “p”, “b”, “v”, “f”;
- dry eye, rare blinking and inability to close the eye on the painful side, drying out and inflammation of the mucous membrane. Some people complain of excessive tearing;
- loss of taste on the anterior surface of the affected half of the tongue;
- increased sensitivity to sounds on the painful side (due to the proximity of the nuclei of the facial and auditory nerves.) To the patient, sounds seem louder, especially low ones.
Please note: based on existing complaints and symptoms, an experienced neurologist can suggest the location of the lesion of the facial nerve.
Diagnosis of neuritis (neuralgia) of the facial nerve
During the initial survey, listening to complaints and examination, the doctor asks the patient:
- bring your eyebrows together and frown;
- raise your eyebrows;
- wrinkle your nose;
- stretch out your lips and whistle;
- do a “candle blowing out”;
- inflate your cheeks one by one and together;
- blink your eyes simultaneously and in turn;
- close your eyes tightly.
If the patient cannot perform these exercises and when he tries to close his eyes, he is left with a gap on the affected side with visible white of the eye, then the doctor determines the presence of neuritis.
A person with neuritis (neuralgia) of the facial nerve is additionally given:
- , in which, due to an infectious cause of the disease, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) increases, the white blood cell count increases and the lymphocyte count decreases. Especially if the process is purulent.
- , which allows you to detect tumor processes in the brain, traces of strokes and heart attacks, atypical locations of blood vessels, inflammatory processes in brain tissue and its membranes;
- computed tomography (CT) of the brain. The new, digital modification of this study is especially informative. CT allows you to distinguish tumors, pathological foci after the development of a stroke, areas of brain tissue with impaired blood supply, hemorrhages (hematomas);
- electroneurography (ENG) – special method diagnostics, which allows you to determine the speed of passage of a nerve impulse along the nerve trunks. To do this, the nerve area is stimulated by an electrical impulse in a certain place.
Distribution data is measured at other points and processed computer programs. In the presence of neuritis, a reduced impulse speed or its absence is observed. This method also measures the potential for muscle excitation. A weak reaction indicates developing muscle atrophy;
- electromyography (EMG)– allows you to record electrical impulses in muscles without external stimulation using needle electrodes located in different areas. Data is measured both in a relaxed state and under tension. With neuritis, there is a delay in the passage of the impulse
- electroneurography (ENG)- a method similar to EMG, which allows you to measure the magnitude of the impulse arising in the nerve fiber.
Treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve
When treating neuritis, the cause of the disease must be taken into account.
For therapy the following are used:
- diuretics (Lasix). Promote elimination excess liquid from the body. First of all, the contents of edematous tissues are removed;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Nurofen). Necessary to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and reduce swelling;
- hormonal medications (glucocorticoids - Dexamethasone). Used for severe symptoms of neuritis. Mechanism of action – activation of neurotransmitters that improve the conduction of nerve impulses;
- (Acyclovir). Inhibit the process of reproduction of the herpes virus - one of the causes of neuritis;
- antispasmodics (Spazmalgon). Prescribed to eliminate excessive muscle contraction for symptoms of neuritis and to relax the walls of blood vessels, which improves blood supply to tissues;
- neurotropic drugs (Carbamazepine). The purpose of application is to improve metabolism in nerve cells;
- vitamin therapy (Thiamin bromide, Cyanocobalamin, Pyridoxine hydrochloride) – neurotropic vitamins that take part in the metabolism of nervous tissue;
- anticholinesterase substances (Prozerin). Improves the passage of impulses along nerve processes.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Physiotherapy has a very beneficial effect as an additional treatment for neuritis (neuralgia) of the facial nerve.
Ultra-high frequency waves (UHF), ultraviolet rays, electrophoresis with drugs, treatment using diadynamic currents, darsonvalization, applications of medicinal substances, ozokerite, and mud therapy are used.
Massage has special therapeutic properties. Developed special techniques, most effective for neuritis. Acupuncture has been successfully used.
Treatment of facial nerve neuritis with home medicine
Treatment methods traditional medicine It has long been successfully used to relieve acute phenomena and for preventive methods.
The most effective methods:
- stone heated in a clean frying pan table salt, which must be poured into a linen or canvas bag and applied to sore spots;
- acacia tincture, which is rubbed 2 times a day on the surface of the skin over sore muscles;
- solution Apply externally and internally;
- ointment applications of black poplar buds;
- infusion of red rose petals.
Treatment for Bell's palsy takes time, so you must carefully follow all medical recommendations.
Prognosis and prevention
When correct organized treatment the effects of Bell's palsy go away completely, or significant relief occurs. Subsequently, constant gymnastics for the facial muscles and massage courses are required.
Facial asymmetry, paresis or paralysis facial muscles, ear and eye pain, increased lacrimation are common symptoms that accompany inflammation of the facial nerve (neuritis - ICD-10 code G51.0). The disease does not depend on gender or age. Most often pathological changes appear in the cold season due to hypothermia.
Inflammation of the facial nerve leads to facial asymmetry and paralysis of facial muscles
Anatomy of the facial nerve
Of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves, the facial nerve is the 7th pair. It consists of 2 branches and 3 nuclei - motor, sensitive and secretory. The photo shows what the facial nerve looks like and its location.
Location of the facial nerve
The fiber passes through the auditory opening to the internal auditory canal and then moves along the facial canal of the temporal bone, connecting with the intermediate nerve at the exit. Through the stylomastoid foramen, the nerve penetrates the parotid gland and forms a nerve plexus, which spreads in small branches throughout the face and neck. Each process is responsible for the innervation (contraction) of a specific muscle.
The maxillofacial nerve is responsible for facial contractions, taste sensations, and also stimulates the exocrine glands.
Causes of inflammation of the facial nerve
Most often, neuritis develops as a result of prolonged exposure to the cold, for example, if you are frozen in frosty weather, in a strong wind, or in a draft, under air conditioning.
In addition to hypothermia, the following pathological changes can cause neuritis:
- inflammatory processes in the sinuses, ears (otitis media, sinusitis) – provoke otogenic neuritis;
- psychosomatics – nervous breakdowns, worries, grievances, stressful shocks;
- infectious and viral diseases– measles, herpes, mumps;
- head injuries that led to pinching of the facial nerve (the course of the facial canal is blocked);
- blockage vertebral arteries atherosclerotic plaques;
- neoplasms in brain tissue.
Inflammatory processes in the brain can cause damage to the facial nerve
Anesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve, which is done during dental procedures, can also cause nerve damage in the face.
Development of neuritis
The mechanism of facial nerve development is based on dysfunction in the nerves. Tumors, trauma, and infections gradually destroy myelin and lemmocytes involved in transmitting impulses along the fibers; in difficult cases, the axial cylinder is destroyed. As a result, the transmission of impulses from the brain to tissues is disrupted in nerve fibers, which then cease to function.
The most common form of facial paralysis, which occurs due to acute neuritis or neuropathy, is idiopathic - Bell's syndrome (or Bell's palsy). The pathology develops sharply. First, uncharacteristic pain behind the ear appears, and after 2-3 days the facial muscles weaken.
Bell's palsy occurs in several stages:
- gradual increase in symptoms (from 48 hours to 8 days), the appearance of edema, ischemia, pinched nerve;
- early recovery – up to 1 month – return to the previous functionality of the facial muscles and elimination of swelling of the fibers;
- late recovery (from 3 to 4 months) – disturbances in the facial muscles are restored slowly and not completely, which indicates severe changes in the facial nerve;
- the final stage, which is characterized by residual signs of paralysis - atrophy of facial muscles, involuntary movements of facial fragments (tip of the mouth, eye).
Bell's palsy is most often unilateral; less common is bilateral pathology, which is a consequence of a more serious disease.
Symptoms of facial neuritis
When the facial nerve is cold, unpleasant symptoms develop quickly and acutely:
- 1-3 days before the facial muscles weaken, pain appears behind the ear;
- paralysis of one side of the face (the muscles are either severely weakened, or muscle hypertonicity is observed);
- there is no facial expression on the injured side, frontal wrinkles are smoothed out on the weakened part of the face, the corner of the mouth droops, the lip warps;
- drooping of the eyelid on the affected side of the face, resulting in the eye not closing;
- the face becomes numb, hurts, and a feeling of heaviness appears;
- it is impossible to smile normally, puff out your cheeks or show your teeth;
- diction is impaired, it is difficult to eat;
- facial muscles twitch involuntarily (hemispasm).
Signs of neuritis of the facial nerve
If the functioning of the eye and salivary glands is disrupted, the secretion of tear fluid increases/decreases and salivation increases.
Which doctor should I contact?
If you suspect neuritis of the facial nerve, you must consult a doctor. Similar problem. The doctor collects anamnesis, conducts an examination and prescribes additional instrumental examination.
Diagnostic methods
Damage to the maxillofacial nerve has specific signs, which are clearly expressed. If inflammation is suspected, the doctor conducts neurological tests - the patient performs certain exercises with facial muscles:
- frowns, raises eyebrows;
- blinks, closes his eyes;
- smiles, showing teeth;
- puffs out his cheeks, tries to whistle;
- wrinkles his nose.
Special neurological tests will help determine the presence of the disease
Such movements help the specialist to analyze the symmetry of the facial muscles on both sides of the face and identify paralysis or weakening of tissues.
If the development of concomitant diseases (inflammation of the brain, neoplasms, infections and viruses) is suspected, additional methods diagnostics:
- electroneuromyography;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
- computed tomography;
- electroencephalogram.
The diagnosis is made based on examination, the results of a neurological test and instrumental studies. Comprehensive diagnostics allows you not only to identify the disease, but also to understand what to do in a particular case.
Treatment of inflammation of the facial nerve
Timely treatment of neuritis makes it possible to completely restore the functioning of facial muscles, and in severe cases, stop the recurrence of the pathology.
Drug treatment
Acute neuritis is treated with several groups of drugs at once.
- Glucocorticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs non-steroidal group – injections of Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Meloxicam, Nimesulide, Piroxicam – reduce inflammation, help suppress pathogenic processes in the body.
- Antibiotics– Amoxicillin, Tetracycline – inhibit the development of bacterial infection.
- Vasodilators- Eufillin, nicotinic acid, Complamin - stimulate blood circulation in the affected area.
- Diuretic tablets– Torasemide, Furasemide – reduce swelling.
- Analgesics and antispasmodics– Analgin, Solpadeine, Drotaverine, Spazmolgon – relieve pain, reduce spasms.
- Neurometabolic drugs– Espalipon, Berlition, thiogamma – improve recovery processes in affected muscles.
Eufillin is prescribed to stimulate blood circulation in the affected area
To combat the herpes virus, which caused inflammation of the facial nerve, antiviral drugs are used - Acyclovir, Valacyclovir. In order to improve metabolic processes in nerve fiber tissues, preparations with B vitamins are used.
Therapy with folk remedies at home
Traditional medicine recipes help fight neuralgia and neuritis of the facial nerve on early stages diseases.
Anti-inflammatory decoction
Combine dried St. John's wort and lavender leaves in equal parts (3 tablespoons each). Brew 1 tbsp in 0.5 liters of boiling water. l. collection and boil for 3 minutes. Strain the infusion infused for an hour and take 200 ml in the morning and evening. Course – 1 month.
Salt for a cold nerve
Dry compress with hot salt effectively combats facial paralysis
Pour 5 tbsp into a clean hot frying pan. l. salt and heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour the hot contents into a cotton bag and distribute evenly. Apply a dry compress to the sore side in the morning and evening before bed. Keep it on your face until the salt cools completely.
Wormwood lotions
Grind fresh wormwood, pour in 50 ml of boiling water and stir until a paste forms. Before application, add 10 ml of sea buckthorn oil and mix. Spread the porridge-like consistency onto the affected part of the face, then cover with cellophane and wrap with a towel or scarf. The duration of the procedure is 40 minutes.
Pain-relieving compresses made from flax seeds
Steam flax seeds and apply to your face for a month
Pour 3 tbsp into a rag bag. l. flax seeds, place in a double boiler and keep until the seeds are steamed. Make compresses with a warm bag and hold until cool. Number of procedures per day – 3. Course of treatment – 1-2 months.
Mixture of tinctures with honey
In equal proportions, combine tinctures of calendula, peony, hawthorn and motherwort (1 bottle each), add 10 ml of Corvalol and 2 tbsp. l. honey. Use the resulting product at night, 1 tsp. Treat for at least 3 months with a similar break, then repeat the course.
Traditional treatment, although long-term, helps improve the patient’s condition and enhance the effect drug therapy.
Massage for Bell's palsy
Treatment of weakened facial muscles with massage gives good results, if you resort to therapy correctly and on time.
- Procedures should begin no earlier than 6-8 days after the first signs of the disease appear.
- The massage is done with moderate movements, without pressure. Start from the neck, back of the head, gradually moving towards the injured area. Special attention devote mastoid process.
- Massage not only the sore area, but also the healthy part of the face.
- Do not massage the places where the lymph nodes are located, so as not to provoke their inflammation.
- Finish by massaging the neck and back of the head.
Facial massage helps restore the function of facial muscles
Therapeutic massage is performed only by a specialist. It is not recommended to self-medicate, as there is a high probability of worsening the condition.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for facial nerve neuritis helps stimulate conduction in nerve endings and helps accelerate the regeneration of injured fibers.
The most effective procedures include:
- Minin lamp - using non-contact heat to warm the affected part of the face;;
- ultrasound procedures using hydrocortisone in the mastoid area - done immediately on the left and right sides of the face;
- exposure to heat - mud, paraffin, ozokerite applications;
- laser treatment – the affected side of the face is exposed to infrared radiation.
The Minin lamp helps to warm up the affected areas of the face without contact
Regular physiotherapeutic procedures give positive results after 2-3 sessions, which is manifested in the restoration of facial muscle function.
Is acupuncture effective?
Acupuncture – effective remedy in the fight against inflammation of the facial nerve. Improvements occur after 2-3 procedures. The full course of treatment is 10 sessions.
Improvement in the patient's condition occurs after 2-3 acupuncture procedures
A nuance in the use of acupuncture is that it is not prescribed in conjunction with physiotherapy. The patient undergoes all treatment methods one by one.
Is biofeedback effective?
Biofeedback is a computer-based healing technique. In practice, it has not proven its effectiveness, but it did not cause harm to the body.
Inflammation of the facial nerve during pregnancy
Expectant mothers are susceptible to developing neuritis of the facial nerve due to changes in the body:
- weakened immune system;
- hormonal changes;
- past viral infections.
Even minor hypothermia or severe stress gives rise to the disease. Typically, signs of pathology appear in the first trimester.
Neuritis of the facial nerve in children
In a newborn child, the cause of neuritis is most often birth trauma. Older children suffer from this pathology for the same reasons as adults.
As a result birth trauma Facial paralysis can also occur in infants
Treatment of infants consists of providing complete rest, silence and thermal treatments to the injured area of the face. Among medications, preference is given to diuretics and vitamin complexes. Older children are prescribed treatment with corticosteroids. An integral part of the therapy are massages, physiotherapy, and facial gymnastics, which are selected individually for each patient.
Possible consequences and complications
Incorrect or untimely treatment leads to consequences such as:
- atrophy of facial muscles;
- the appearance of a kind of mask on the left or right side of the face - a frozen expression;
- development of hemispasm - involuntary muscle twitching;
- development of synkinesis - unwanted contractions of the muscles of the mouth and eyes that occur involuntarily.
At improper treatment facial paralysis results in a frozen facial expression on one side
Advanced stages of inflammation of the facial nerve cannot be fully restored; if the disease is neglected, it can lead to loss of vision, hearing and severe facial distortion.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent neuritis if you strictly follow preventive measures.
- Treat colds, viral and infectious pathologies promptly and thoroughly.
- Eat properly and balanced.
- News active image life, do not overwork, avoid stress.
- Do not overcool, avoid windy weather.
- Do not ignore the first manifestations of the disease.
Constantly strengthening the immune system with vitamin complexes and sports is an integral part of the prevention of neuritis.
Strengthen your body with vitamins to avoid facial neuritis
Facial neuritis, particularly Bell's palsy, is a dangerous disease, which in short terms paralyzes one side of the face and disrupts its symmetry. Paresis of facial muscles occurs as a result of severe hypothermia, pinched nerves, infectious diseases, and inflammation of the brain. The pathology is characterized by pronounced symptoms - pain behind the ear, inability to close the eye, drooping of the corner of the lips, tearing and salivation. Neuritis is difficult to treat. To eliminate the disease, drug therapy, massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and traditional methods are required.
Facial neuritis or Bell's palsy– this is inflammation of the 7th pair of cranial nerves, or rather one of them. The disease deprives a person of the ability to control his face and show emotions: frown, smile, raise his eyebrows in surprise, and even chew food normally. The face looks asymmetrical and skewed.
The facial nerve is most often affected. This is due to the fact that on its way it passes through the narrow canals of the facial bones. Therefore, even minor inflammation leads to compression and oxygen starvation, which causes the symptoms of the disease. For most people, the facial muscles on one side of the face fail. But in 2% of people, inflammation occurs on both sides.
Facial neuritis is a fairly common disease. Every year, 25 people per 100 thousand people suffer from this disease. Both men and women are equally susceptible to it. A surge in the disease is observed during the cold season. There are especially many patients in the northern regions.
Neuritis of the facial nerve has a protracted course. You will have to spend an average of 20-30 days in the hospital. On full recovery it will take 3-6 months. But, unfortunately, in 5% of people the function of the facial muscles is not restored. This happens if facial neuritis is caused by a brain tumor or traumatic brain injury. And in 10% of cases, after recovery, a relapse occurs.
The severity of the disease and recovery time depend on which part of the nerve is damaged, to what depth and how quickly treatment was started.
Anatomy of the facial nerve
The facial nerve is primarily motor and regulates the facial muscles. But it contains fibers of the intermediate nerve. They are responsible for the production of tears and saliva by the glands, as well as the sensitivity of the skin and tongue.The nerve trunk itself is the long processes of nerve cells called neurons. These processes are covered on top with a membrane (perineurium), consisting of special cells called neuroglia. If the nerve sheath is inflamed, then the symptoms of the disease are mild and they are not as numerous as when neurons are damaged.
What does the facial nerve consist of:
- the area of the cerebral cortex that is responsible for facial expressions;
- The nuclei of the facial nerve are located on the border of the medullary pons and the medulla oblongata.
- nucleus of the facial nerve – responsible for facial expressions;
- nucleus of the solitary tract - responsible for the taste buds of the tongue;
- superior salivary nucleus - responsible for the lacrimal and salivary glands.
- The motor processes (fibers) of nerve cells are the nerve trunk.
- a network of blood and lymphatic vessels - capillaries penetrate the nerve sheath and are located between the processes of nerve cells, providing them with nutrition.
As you can see, the facial nerve makes a tortuous path and passes through narrow channels and openings. If it becomes inflamed and swollen, the nerve fibers increase in volume. In narrow areas, this can lead to compression and destruction of nerve cells.
Causes of neuritis of the facial nerve
Scientists have not been able to definitively establish the cause of the disease. A number of factors have been associated with inflammation of the facial nerve.- Herpes virus. This virus lives in the body of most people and does not betray its presence in any way. But when immunity declines, the virus actively multiplies. His favorite place is nerve fibers. The herpes virus causes inflammation and swelling of the nerve. It is believed that the disease can also be caused by mumps viruses, polio viruses, enteroviruses and adenoviruses.
- Hypothermia . Hypothermia of the body leads to decreased immunity. In the case of neuritis of the facial nerve, local hypothermia is especially dangerous. For example, you were in a draft for a long time. In this case, spasm of blood vessels and muscles occurs, which contributes to disruption of nerve nutrition and inflammation.
- Reception large doses alcohol . Ethyl alcohol is a poison for nervous system. It affects not only the brain, but also causes inflammation of the nerves.
- High blood pressure. Hypertension can lead to increased intracranial pressure. In this case, the nuclei of the facial nerve are affected. Besides high blood pressure may cause a stroke. If the hemorrhage occurs near the facial nerve, it will also be affected.
- Pregnancy . In this regard, the first trimester is especially dangerous. During this period, serious hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body, which affect the nervous system.
- Brain tumors. It's pretty rare reason neuritis, but it should not be ruled out. The tumor compresses the nerve and disrupts the conduction of nerve impulses.
- Open or closed head injuries, ear injuries . The blow causes damage or rupture of nerve fibers. Fluid accumulates in this area, swelling and inflammation spread throughout the nerve.
- Unsuccessful treatment at the dentist . Past stress, infection from carious cavity or mechanical injury nerve endings can cause inflammation.
- Past otitis and sinusitis . Diseases of the ENT organs caused by viruses or bacteria can spread to surrounding tissues or cause compression of the nerve in the canal of the temporal bone.
- Diabetes mellitus. This disease is accompanied by metabolic disorders, which leads to the appearance of foci of inflammation.
- Atherosclerosis . The capillaries that supply blood to the nerve become clogged with fatty plaques. As a result, the nerve starves and its cells die.
- Stress and depression . Such conditions undermine the health of the nervous system and protective forces the body as a whole.
- Multiple sclerosis . This disease is associated with the destruction of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers and the formation of plaques in their place. Such processes often cause inflammation of the optic and facial nerves.
The mechanism of development of neuritis of the facial nerve.
These factors lead to spasm (narrowing) of the arteries. In this case, the blood stagnates in the capillaries, and they expand. The liquid component of the blood penetrates the capillary wall and accumulates in the intercellular spaces. Swelling of the tissue occurs, as a result of which the veins and lymphatic vessels are compressed - the outflow of lymph is disrupted.This leads to disruption of the blood circulation of the nerve and its nutrition. Nerve cells are very sensitive to lack of oxygen. The nerve trunk swells and hemorrhages appear in it. This leads to the fact that nerve impulses are poorly transmitted from the brain to the muscles. The command given by the brain does not travel through the fibers, the muscles do not hear it and are inactive. All signs of the disease are associated with this.
Symptoms and signs of facial neuritis
Neuritis of the facial nerve always has an acute onset. If symptoms appear slowly, this indicates another pathology of the nervous system.| Symptom | Its manifestations | Cause | Photo |
| 1-2 days before the disturbance in facial expressions, pain appears behind the ear. | The pain can radiate to the back of the head and face. After a few days, the eyeball begins to hurt. | Unpleasant sensations caused by swelling of the nerve. It is compressed at the exit from the auditory opening of the temporal bone. |  |
| The face is asymmetrical and resembles a mask on the affected side. | The eye is wide open, the corner of the mouth is lowered, the nasolabial fold and folds on the forehead are smoothed. The asymmetry becomes more noticeable when talking, laughing, or crying. | The brain loses the ability to control the facial muscles of one side of the face. |  |
| The eye on the affected side does not close. | When you try to close your eyes, the eye on the affected side does not close, and the eyeball turns upward. A gap remains through which the white membrane of the hare's eye is visible. | The orbicularis oculi muscle is poorly innervated. The muscles of the eyelid on the affected side do not obey. |  |
| The corner of the mouth droops. The mouth becomes like a tennis racket with the handle turned towards the affected side. | When eating, liquid food pours out from one side of the mouth. But at the same time, the person retains the ability to move the jaw and chew. | The buccal branches of the facial nerve cease to control the orbicularis oris muscle. |  |
| The cheek muscles do not obey. | While eating, a person bites his cheek and food constantly falls behind it. | The facial nerve does not transmit brain signals to the cheek muscles. |  |
| Dry mouth. | Constant thirst, feeling of dry mouth, while eating food is not sufficiently moistened with saliva. But in some cases, excessive salivation occurs. Saliva runs in a stream from the lowered corner of the mouth. | The salivary gland receives distorted commands from the brain. |  |
| Speech becomes slurred. | Half of the mouth is not involved in the articulation of sounds. Noticeable problems arise when pronouncing consonant sounds (b, v, f). | The facial nerve supplies the lips and cheeks, which are responsible for the pronunciation of sounds. |  |
| Dryness of the eyeball. | Not enough tears are produced, and the eye is wide open and rarely blinks. This causes it to dry out. | The functioning of the lacrimal gland is disrupted; it produces an insufficient amount of tear fluid. |  |
| Tearing. | For some people the situation is the opposite. Tears are produced in excess. And they, instead of going to tear duct, flow down the cheek. | Active work lacrimal gland, disruption of the outflow of tears. |  |
| The perception of taste on one half of the tongue is impaired. | The anterior 2/3 of the tongue on the affected side of the face cannot taste food. | This is caused by inflammation of the fibers of the intermediate nerve, which transmits signals to the brain from taste buds on the tongue. |  |
| Increased hearing sensitivity. | Sounds on one side seem louder than they really are. This is especially true for low tones. | The facial nerve is inflamed in the temporal bone near the auditory receptors, which affects their function. The nucleus of the facial nerve is located next to the nucleus of the auditory nerve. Therefore, inflammation affects the functioning of the auditory analyzer. |  |
Based on the symptoms of the disease, an experienced doctor can determine exactly where the lesion has occurred on the facial nerve.
- Damage to the cerebral cortex which is responsible for the facial nerve - paralysis of the facial muscles of the lower half of the face, nervous tics, involuntary movements of the facial muscles. When laughing and crying, the asymmetry is not noticeable.
- Damage to the facial nerve nuclei – involuntary rapid movements of the eyeballs (nystagmus), a person cannot wrinkle his forehead, decreased sensitivity of the skin on half of the face (numbness), frequent twitching of the palate and pharynx occurs. Impaired coordination of movements in the entire half of the body may occur.
- Damage to the facial nerve in the cranial cavity and in the pyramid of the temporal bone – paralysis of facial muscles, salivary glands do not produce enough saliva, dry mouth, the front part of the tongue does not feel taste, heightened hearing or nervous deafness, dry eyes.
- frown;
- wrinkle your forehead;
- wrinkle your nose;
- whistle;
- blow out the candle;
- puff out your cheeks;
- take water into your mouth;
- blink both eyes in turn;
- close your eyes (there is a gap on the affected side through which the white of the eye is visible).
Diagnosis of the causes of neuritis of the facial nerve
If you experience signs of facial neuritis, consult a neurologist on the same day. An experienced doctor can make a diagnosis without additional research. But in some cases, instrumental examinations are carried out. This is necessary to identify the cause of nerve inflammation. Neuritis can be caused by tumors, inflammation of the membranes of the brain, and similar symptoms occur with a stroke.Blood test
For a general analysis, blood is taken from a finger. Signs of bacterial inflammation that could cause neuritis are:
- significant increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
- increase in the number of leukocytes;
- decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes.
Such results, together with other symptoms (headache, ear discharge, foci of purulent inflammation), may indicate prolonged otitis media, meningitis or other diseases that led to neuritis.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Research is based on interaction magnetic field and hydrogen atoms. After irradiation, the atoms release energy, which is recorded by sensitive sensors and allows one to obtain a layer-by-layer image.
The procedure lasts about 40 minutes, its cost reaches 4-5 thousand rubles. This method is considered the most accurate, since the bones of the skull are not an obstacle to the magnetic field. In addition, in this case there is no risk of exposure to x-rays. Therefore, this procedure can be performed even on pregnant women.
MRI can reveal the following signs of the disease:
- brain tumors;
- signs of cerebral infarction;
- abnormal development vessels;
- inflammation of the membranes of the brain.
Computed tomography of the brain CT
The study is based on the properties of fabrics that partially absorb x-rays. To obtain accurate information, irradiation is carried out from several points.
During the procedure, you lie down on a couch that moves along a scanner placed in the walls of the tube.
The duration of the procedure is about 10 minutes. This study costs from 3 thousand rubles and is widely distributed.
As a result of the procedure, pathologies that caused neuritis can be detected:
- tumors;
- signs suffered a stroke;
- plots poor circulation near the nuclei of the facial nerve;
- consequences of head injuries - brain hematomas.
Electroneurography
Study of the speed of propagation of an electrical signal along a nerve. The nerve is stimulated with a weak electrical impulse in one place, and then activity is measured at two other points on its branches. The received data is automatically entered into the computer.
During the procedure, 2 electrodes are placed along the facial nerve. The first one receives weak electrical discharges; you may feel a tingling sensation in this area. The other electrode only picks up the signals. The procedure lasts 15-40 minutes. Cost from 1500 rub.
Signs of the disease:
- a decrease in the speed of impulse conduction indicates inflammation of the nerve;
- the electrical signal is not transmitted to one of the nerve branches - a rupture of the nerve fiber has occurred
- a decrease in the number of muscle fibers excited by electricity - there is a danger of developing muscle atrophy;
- facial muscles respond weakly to electrical discharges - the conduction of nerve impulses along the trunk is impaired.
This method studies electrical impulses that spontaneously occur in muscles (without stimulation by electrical current). Often the study is carried out together with electroneurography.
During the procedure in different areas Thin disposable needles are inserted into the muscles. At this point you experience short-term pain. Such needle electrodes make it possible to determine the propagation of an impulse in individual muscle fibers. To do this, the technician will first examine your relaxed muscles, and then ask you to frown, puff out your cheeks, and wrinkle your nose. At this moment, electrical impulses arise in the muscles, which are captured by the electrodes. The procedure lasts 40-60 minutes. Cost from 2000 rub.
With neuritis, the following deviations are detected:
- the impulse takes longer to travel through the muscle;
- the number of fibers that respond to the signal decreases.
Treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve
Treatment with medications
| Group of drugs | Representatives | Mechanism of therapeutic action | How to use |
| Diuretics | Furosemide Furon | Accelerate the excretion of urine from the body. Thanks to this, the tissues are freed from edematous fluid. This helps to avoid pressure on blood vessels and swelling of the nerve. | Take 1 tablet 1 time per day. It is advisable to do this in the morning, since urination will be frequent for 6 hours. |
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | Nise Nurofen | They relieve inflammation along the nerve fiber and help relieve pain in the face and ear. | Take 1 tablet 2 times a day. If necessary, the doctor may increase the dose. Course 10-14 days. |
| Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs - glucocorticoids | Dexamethasone Prednisolone | Relieves inflammation in nerve fibers, swelling and pain. They activate the release of a special substance (neurotransmitter) that improves the conduction of impulses along nerve fibers. People who take glucocorticoids do not experience muscle tightness (contractures). | Take Dexamethasone during or after meals. The first days are prescribed 2-3 mg, after the inflammation subsides, the dose is reduced by 3 times. The course of treatment is up to 10 days. |
| Antiviral agents | Zovirax Acyclovir | They stop the division of the herpes virus, which often causes inflammation of the facial nerve. | Take 1 tablet 5 times a day at regular intervals. It is better to do this during meals with a glass of water. The course of treatment is 5 days. |
| Antispasmodics | No-shpa Spasmol | Relieves spasm of smooth muscles in blood vessels, dilates arteries, improves blood circulation in inflamed area, reduces pain. | Take 2 tablets 3 times a day. The course of treatment is up to 2 weeks. |
| Neurotropic agents | Carbamazepine Levomepromazine Phenytoin | They improve the functioning of nerve cells, normalizing their mineral metabolism. They have an analgesic (pain-relieving) effect. Reduce nervous tics and involuntary muscle contractions. Improves the functioning of the nervous system as a whole. | Take half or a whole tablet 2 times a day with a small amount of water. The course of treatment is from 10 days. During this period, refrain from drinking alcohol, otherwise serious adverse reactions may occur. |
| B vitamins | B1, B6, B12 Thiamine, Pyridoxine, Riboflavin | B vitamins are part of nerve cells and their processes. They play an important role in the functioning of the nervous system and protect it from poisoning by toxins. | Take 1-2 tablets after meals, 1 time per day. The course of treatment is 1-2 months. |
| Anticholinesterase drugs | Prozerin Galantamine | They improve the transmission of signals along the nerves to the muscles, increasing their tone. Normalize the functioning of the lacrimal and salivary glands. | Starting from the second week of the disease, 1 tablet is prescribed 1-2 times a day, half an hour before meals. Duration of treatment is 4-6 weeks. If muscle contractures appear, then these drugs are discontinued. |
Remember that treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve should be carried out only in a hospital or, with the permission of a doctor, in a day hospital. Self-administration of medications can cause serious side effects. In addition, self-medication of neuritis leads to the fact that the facial muscles may never recover.
Physiotherapy for neuritis
Physiotherapeutic treatment can be used only from 7-10 days from the onset of the disease!| Type of physiotherapy | Indications | Mechanism of therapeutic action | How to use |
| Ultrahigh frequency therapy (UHF) of low thermal intensity | Inflammatory process in the facial nerve; Impaired blood circulation and lymph drainage in the inflamed area. | Electric field ultra-high frequency is partially absorbed by tissues. Charged particles penetrate into cells, and this leads to changes in metabolic processes. The tissues heat up, their nutrition improves, and swelling goes away. The number of leukocytes (cells that fight inflammation) increases. | Condenser plates are placed 2 cm above the mastoid process and above the branching point of the facial nerve. Duration 8-15 minutes, course 5-15 sessions daily or every other day. |
| Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of half or the entire face (1-2 biodoses) | Acute and subacute (from 5-7 days from the onset of the disease) periods of inflammation of peripheral nerves. Diseases of the nervous system that are accompanied by severe pain. | Ultraviolet rays stimulate the production of hormones, various immune cells and immunoglobulins. In this way, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect is achieved. | First, the biodose is determined. This irradiation time is necessary for redness with clear boundaries to appear on the skin (1-5 minutes). In the future, the session time is equal to 1-2 biodoses. The course of treatment is 5-20 procedures. |
| Decimeter DMV therapy on the affected side of the face | Acute (non-purulent) and subacute inflammatory processes of the nervous system. | Electromagnetic ultra-high-frequency decimeter waves cause an increase in tissue temperature by 3-4 degrees and activate metabolism. As a result, blood vessels dilate, blood supply improves, and impaired nerve functions are restored. | You are seated on a wooden couch. The emitter is installed so that it barely touches the skin. If the nozzle is pressed tightly, a burn may appear after 1-2 days. Session duration is 5-15 minutes. 3-15 procedures are prescribed for a course of treatment. |
| Electrophoresis medicinal substances- dibazole (0.02%), proserin (0.1%), nivalin, potassium, vitamin B 1 | Inflammatory processes in nerve fibers, Metabolic disorders Weakening (atrophy) of muscles | Action of constant continuous electric current a little force and tension has an anti-inflammatory, decongestant, analgesic, and calming effect. Using current, you can inject the medicine under the skin and achieve a high concentration at the site of inflammation. | Warm flannel pads moistened with a medicinal solution are placed on the areas along the nerve, and electrodes are placed on top. They are fixed with a rubber band or adhesive tape. After this, the current is gradually added until you feel a slight tingling sensation. The course of treatment is 10-20 procedures, the duration of one is 10-30 minutes. |
| Diadynamic therapy | Muscle paralysis Contractures Pain in the affected half of the face Nerve fiber damage | Pulsed direct currents penetrate the skin into muscle fibers, causing them to contract. This is very important considering that the muscles long time do not work and become weak. They expel fluid, activate enzymes that fight inflammation, and accelerate recovery processes in nerve fibers | Fabric pads with electrodes moistened with warm water are fixed to the skin in the area where the nerves pass. Electrical impulses are applied through them. Depending on the type of current, you will feel pressure, muscle compression, and tingling. The duration of the procedure is 10-20 minutes. It is necessary to undergo 10-30 sessions daily or every other day. |
| Paraffin or ozokerite applications | Subacute period of nerve inflammation Facial paralysis | Such applications have three mechanisms of action: thermal, mechanical (pressure) and chemical (absorption of natural resins). Thanks to this, it is possible to speed up the process of restoration of damaged nerve fibers and get rid of the consequences of inflammation. | On the damaged one and on healthy side On the face, apply heated ozokerite or paraffin in an even layer with a wide brush. When one layer cools, it is covered with a new one. Several layers are covered with oilcloth and woolen fabric. The duration of the procedure is up to 40 minutes. A course of 10-20 procedures daily or every other day. |
During treatment for neuritis of the facial nerve, and especially immediately after physiotherapeutic procedures, beware of hypothermia. This may cause the condition to worsen. After the procedures, it is advisable not to leave the room for 15-20 minutes. And in cold, windy weather outside, wear a hat and cover the affected side of your face with a scarf.
Massage for neuritis of the facial nerve
You can start doing massage for facial neuritis 5-7 days after the first symptoms of the disease appear. It is better to entrust this to an experienced specialist, because massage has some peculiarities. - Before the massage, you need to stretch your neck muscles. To do this, tilt the head back and forth, turn and rotate the head. All exercises are performed 10 times at a very slow pace. Be careful not to get dizzy.
- Begin the massage from the back of the head and neck. In this way, the lymphatic vessels are prepared, because they must receive an additional portion of lymph from the facial part of the head.
- Massage the sore and healthy side of the head.
- Particular attention is paid to the face, mastoid process and neck. The collar area is also kneaded.
- Facial massage should be superficial, especially in the first days. Otherwise there may be painful contractions muscles.
- Massage with stroking movements; light vibration gives a good effect.
- Movements are performed along the lymph outflow lines.
- Run your fingers from the middle of the chin, nose and forehead to the parotid glands. Repeat this movement many times.
- Do not massage areas where lymph nodes. This can cause them to become inflamed.
- Do this exercise yourself. The thumb of one hand is tucked behind the cheek and the muscles are easily stretched. Using the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, massage the muscles of the cheek from the outside.
- After the facial massage, the muscles of the back of the head and neck are massaged again to improve the outflow of lymph to the main ducts.
- The massage session ends with exercises for the neck muscles.
Alternative treatment for facial neuritis
Folk remedies for the treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve, they successfully complement the therapy prescribed by the doctor and speed up recovery. We offer several of the most effective recipes.
Facial neuritis requires long-term treatment, so you will notice the first results in about 10 days. But do not despair, if you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, the disease will subside in 3-4 weeks.
Consequences of facial neuritis
Nerve cells recover very slowly after neuritis and are extremely sensitive to stress, hypothermia and toxins. This complicates the treatment process. In addition, some people give up after a few days because they do not see any noticeable improvement. This leads to the fact that they do not accurately follow the doctor’s instructions, skip massages, and refuse to take certain medications. This can lead to serious complications.
- Muscle atrophy – muscles decrease in volume and weaken. This happens because the muscles for a long time were inactive, and their nutrition was disrupted. Atrophy is an irreversible process. It develops about a year after the onset of the disease. To prevent muscle atrophy, do exercises daily, massage and rub your face with baby cream containing fir oil(10 drops of oil per 1 tsp of cream).
- Contracture of facial muscles – tightening of the facial muscles of the affected side, loss of their elasticity. The muscles become painful to the touch and pulsate weakly. This condition develops if improvement does not occur within 4 weeks. In this case, a muscle spasm develops, they shorten and tighten the affected side of the face: the eye looks squinted, the nasolabial fold is clearly visible. Warming (salt, ozokerite), adhesive plaster stickers and massage help prevent this complication.
- Involuntary twitching of facial muscles: facial hemispasm, blepharospasm. Rhythmic contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle or other facial muscles that are not controlled by a person. The cause is believed to be compression of the facial nerve at the base of the brain by pulsating blood vessels. As a result, the conduction of biocurrents along the nerve is disrupted, and uncontrolled muscle contractions occur. Properly selected drug treatment will help prevent the development of hemispasm.
- Facial synkinesis. This complication is due to the fact that the isolation of electrical impulses in the nerve branch is disrupted. As a result, a “short circuit” occurs, and excitation from one area spreads to others along incorrectly grown nerve fibers. For example, when chewing, the lacrimal gland is stimulated, and “crocodile tears” appear, or when closing an eye, the corner of the mouth rises. To prevent this complication, it is necessary to do self-massage and gymnastics daily.
- Conjunctivitis or keratitis. The inner lining of the eyelids and the cornea become inflamed due to the fact that the person cannot close the eye. In this case, the eyeball is not moistened by tears, it dries out, and dust particles remain on it, which cause inflammation. To avoid this, during illness, use Systane and Oxial drops. At night, cover the eye with a bandage containing Parin moisturizing ointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do to prevent facial neuritis?
It happens that neuritis of the facial nerve occurs again on the same side of the face, then they talk about a relapse of the disease. In this case, more than long-term treatment and the chances of recovery are lower. But if you follow preventive measures, a relapse will be avoided. Avoid hypothermia. Scientists have proven that this is the main risk factor. Even small drafts are dangerous. Therefore, avoid being under air conditioning, sitting in transport near open window, do not go outside with a wet head, and in the cold season, wear a hat or put on a hood.
Treat viral diseases in a timely manner. If you feel that you are getting sick, then immediately take antiviral drugs: Groprinosin, Aflubin, Arbidol. You can instill drops with immunoglobulin Viferon into your nose. This will help prevent the virus from reproducing in nerve cells.
Avoid stress. Severe stress weakens the immune defense and disrupts the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, it is advisable to learn how to shoot nervous tension with the help of auto-training and meditation. You can take Glycised, motherwort or hawthorn tincture.
Go to the resort. To consolidate the results of treatment, it is advisable to go to a resort. The dry hot climate of the resorts is ideal: Kislovodsk, Essentuki, Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk.
Eat right. Your nutrition should be complete. The main goal is to strengthen the immune system. To do this, you need to consume a sufficient amount of protein foods (meat, fish, cottage cheese, eggs), as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.
Take vitamins. It is very important to consume a sufficient amount of vitamins, especially group B. They take part in the transmission of impulses through nerve cells and are part of their membranes.
Toughen up. Gradual hardening strengthens the immune system, and you become insensitive to hypothermia. Start by taking sun-air baths or simply sunbathing. Accept contrast shower: the first week the temperature difference between cold and hot water should be only 3 degrees. Make the water a little colder every week.
Self-massage. For a year, massage your face along the massage lines for 10 minutes, 2 times a day. Place one palm on the healthy side and the other on the sore side. Lower the muscles of the healthy side down, and pull the sick side up. This will help get rid of the residual effects of the previous neuritis and avoid relapse.
Is surgery performed for facial neuritis?
If it is not possible to achieve improvement with the help of medications within 8-10 months, then surgery is prescribed. Surgical treatment of facial neuritis is effective only during the first year of the disease. Then irreversible changes in the muscles begin. Most often, surgery is necessary for ischemic neuritis, when the facial nerve is compressed in the narrow fallopian canal. This happens as a result of prolonged inflammation of the middle ear or a fracture of the skull bones. Surgical treatment is also required for traumatic neuritis of the facial nerve, when the nerve is torn as a result of injury .
Indications for surgery
- nerve rupture due to traumatic neuritis;
- lack of effect of conservative treatment for 8-12 months;
- instrumental studies indicate degeneration of the nerve.
Behind auricle make a semicircular incision. Find the place where the nerve exits the stylomastoid foramen. The outer wall of the facial nerve canal is removed with a special surgical instrument. This is done very carefully so as not to damage the nerve trunk. As a result, the nerve no longer passes in a “tunnel”, but in an open groove, and the temporal bone stops squeezing it. After this, stitches are applied. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
Technique for suturing a torn facial nerve
An incision is made near the auricle. The surgeon finds the torn ends of the nerve under the skin and muscles and “cleans out” the rupture site so that the nerve heals better. Then the surgeon acts according to the circumstances:
- If the distance between the ends of the nerve is no more than 3 mm, then they are sutured. This best option, but it is not always possible to implement it;
- If up to 12 mm of nerve fiber is missing, then it is necessary to free the nerve from the surrounding tissues and lay out a new, shorter course for it. This operation makes it possible to connect the ends of the nerve with one suture, but its blood supply is disrupted;
- Nerve connection using autograft. A section of the nerve of the required length is taken from the thigh and inserted at the site of the break. In this way, a section several centimeters long can be restored. But in this case, the nerve has to be sutured in 2 places, and this disrupts the transmission of signals.
What gymnastics to perform for neuritis of the facial nerve?
Before gymnastics, do a few exercises to stretch the muscles of your neck and shoulder girdle. Then sit in front of a mirror and relax the muscles on both sides of your face. Perform each exercise 5-6 times. - Raise your eyebrows in surprise.
- Frown your eyebrows angrily.
- Look down and close your eyes. If that doesn't work, lower your eyelid with your finger.
- Squint your eyes.
- Make circular movements with your eyes.
- Smile without showing your teeth.
- Lift up upper lip and show your teeth.
- Lower your lower lip and show your teeth.
- Smile with open mouth.
- Lower your head and snort.
- Flare your nostrils.
- Puff out your cheeks.
- Move air from one cheek to the other.
- Blow out an imaginary candle.
- Try whistling.
- Pull your cheeks in.
- Push your lips out with a straw.
- Lower the corners of your mouth downwards, keeping your lips closed.
- Place your upper lip over your lower lip.
- Move your tongue from side to side with your mouth open and closed.
After the gymnastics, take a scarf, fold it diagonally and secure your face by tying the ends of the scarf at the crown of your head. After this, tighten the facial muscles on the sore side up, and on the healthy side, lower them down.
What does a patient with facial nerve neuritis look like, photo?
The appearance of a person with facial neuritis is very characteristic. The face resembles a distorted mask.On the sore side: 
- the eye is wide open;
- the lower eyelid sags;
- lacrimation may occur;
- the outer edge of the eyebrow droops;
- the corner of the mouth is lowered, saliva often oozes from it;
- the mouth will be pulled to the healthy side;
- the cheek muscles are drooping;
- frontal and nasolabial folds are smoothed.
Is acupuncture effective for facial neuritis?
Acupuncture or reflexology is considered one of the most effective methods treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve. Impact on acupuncture points helps:- relieve inflammation in the nerve and speed up its recovery;
- relieve pain;
- get rid of paralysis of facial muscles faster;
- eliminate involuntary twitching of the eyes and lips.
Acupuncture helps restore muscle tone on the affected side of the face and relax the healthy side. Thus, the face becomes more symmetrical from the first days. But remember, the key to successful treatment is an experienced specialist. He must select the necessary techniques and find sensitive points. Disposable needles are used for the procedure, this eliminates the possibility of infection.
Your inner attitude is important for effective treatment. Pay attention to how you feel. During the skin puncture you will feel slight pain. Then heat or coolness, a feeling of pressure, and tingling will concentrate around the needles. This indicates that the needles are installed in the right places.
From the first days, the disease affects only the healthy side. From 5-7 days you can do acupuncture on the affected side. Many people have become convinced that acupuncture can reduce treatment time by 2 times (up to 2 weeks).
The treatment process for facial neuritis is quite lengthy. You will need to be patient and follow your doctor's recommendations exactly. But remember, there are many effective treatments that can help you overcome the disease.
The human face is capable of expressing the most subtle and deep shades emotional experiences. This ability is the basis of communication, vital for every individual to adapt to modern society. Neuritis of the facial nerve - the so-called Bell's palsy, depriving part of the facial muscles of mobility and ugly distortion of facial expressions, becomes not only a medical, but also a social problem for the patient.
What causes Bell's palsy?
Inflammation of the facial nerve can be a consequence of:
- infectious, viral or bacterial invasion;
- metabolic disorders, for example, persistent hyperglycemia in diabetes;
- congenital narrowness of the bone canal that releases the facial nerve from the skull;
- traumatic narrowing of the canal during fractures of the body of the temporal bone;
- inflammatory processes in the ear area;
- diffuse collagenosis;
- tumor processes;
- inflammation of the meninges;
- multiple sclerosis;
- edema syndrome during pregnancy;
- acute cerebrovascular accidents.
The inflammatory process in the nerve trunk is started by general and local hypothermia. Very often, Bell's palsy is triggered by drafts.
In pediatric practice, neuritis of the facial nerves occurs as often as in adults. But the list of reasons that cause them is much shorter. The triggering factor for neuritis in a child is mainly otitis media, provoked by hypothermia or drafts.
How does Bell's palsy occur?
In the pathomechanism of the lesion, the most significant stages are conventionally identified:
- spasm of blood supplying arterioles;
- lack of blood supply to the nerve;
- hypoxia of nerve cells;
- swelling of the nerve trunk;
- the formation of microhemorrhages in it.
The resulting inflammatory process blocks or limits the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to the receptors of the facial muscles. Imperative signals from the brain nuclei remain without a facial response, which in a patient with neuritis is manifested by the inability to control the muscles of the affected half of the face. In this case:
- the clinical picture of the initial attack and the acute process appear at lightning speed - within a day or faster;
- it may be accompanied by pain.
But this is not necessary; often the patient, completely unexpectedly for himself, suddenly sees the reflection of an asymmetrical face in the mirror. He realizes that he cannot smile, frown or raise his eyebrows, and finds difficulty in chewing food.
Main symptoms of neuritis
The visual picture of the immobilized half of the face, innervated by the inflamed nerve, resembles a mask. At the same time, it is striking that in comparison with the healthy side:
- the palpebral fissure is open slightly wider;
- noticeably lower than the level of the corner of the mouth;
- there is smoothness of the nasolabial fold;
- the severity of transverse frontal wrinkles is not determined.
When trying to express emotions, the degree of asymmetry increases:
- An attempt to smile turns your mouth into a shape resembling a tennis racket.
- An attempt to close your eyes demonstrates what the “hare eye” symptom is, when the eyelid does not close completely, and the sclera turns white in the remaining gap.
While eating you can observe that:
- an attempt to take liquid food ends with it running down the chin on the sore side;
- an attempt to chew a hard piece of food is accompanied by biting the cheek.
The final diagnosis of neuritis is carried out by neurologists; when making a diagnosis, the following are taken into account:
- complaints and deviations of neurological status;
- results clinical trials blood and urine;
- X-ray data;
- electromyography indicators;
- conclusions of computer (CT) and magnetic resonance (MRI) tomography.
Features of the course of the disease
The restoration of nervous tissue occurs extremely slowly; accordingly, the clinical course of neuritis is characterized by:
- duration and stability;
- resistance to therapy;
- tendency to relapse.
Almost every patient asks the attending physician how long it takes to treat neuritis. Recovery of nerve tissue may require months of treatment. The disease, briefly receding under the influence drug therapy, tends to return again and again, persistently showing a tendency to relapse. It is considered a great success if it is possible to cure a patient within a month; more often, complete recovery does not occur even after six months of treatment. In pediatric practice, the prognosis is much more favorable, from full recovery An acutely ill child is separated by only 2–3 weeks.
Tactics of therapeutic measures
Only the right approach to treatment and adherence to the right tactics can:
- ensure a lasting recovery for the patient;
- eliminate undesirable consequences;
- provide a favorable prognosis.
Primary conditions for guaranteeing therapeutic success:
- drug therapy should be started immediately;
- treatment must be carried out in a hospital or day hospitals clinics;
- therapeutic measures must be comprehensive.
It is impossible to achieve sustainable positive dynamics with neuritis at home. There is a risk that disturbances in the innervation of the facial muscles will become permanent and contractures will arise. Therapeutic efforts for neuritis must be comprehensive and include several mandatory areas:
- medicinal effects;
- electro-physiotherapeutic procedures;
- massage courses;
- facial muscle training;
- acupuncture sessions.
Drug treatment
Understanding the pathomechanism of neuritis development has given clinicians the opportunity to determine how and with what to treat Bell's palsy in order to achieve optimal results. The drug therapy regimen should include components that affect each stage of the inflammatory process:
- antispasmodics;
- decongestants;
- anti-inflammatory;
- neurotropic.
Depending on the suspected cause of the disease, antiviral or antibacterial therapy. If necessary, painkillers and vitamin complexes are prescribed. Improvements in the transmission of nerve signals through muscles are achieved with anticholinesterase drugs using modern effective drugs, such as Neuromidin, Ipigrix or Amiridin. Prescribing a medication complex is the absolute prerogative of the doctor. The patient should not decide for himself how to treat a disease so resistant to therapy or replace medications recommended by the treating doctor with folk remedies.
Physiotherapeutic effects
The purpose of prescribing physiotherapy is to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Under their influence:
- local blood circulation is stimulated;
- conductivity along the nerve trunks of impulses increases;
- influence on nerve tissue medicines.
The types of physiotherapy procedures, the sequence and duration of their courses are selected individually for each patient. The following methods have been successfully used in the treatment of neuritis:
- magnetic therapy;
- diadynamic therapy;
- phono- and electrophoresis;
- carboxypuncture;
- laser therapy;
- darsonvalization;
- UHF and UV.
Physiotherapy prescribed on time (namely from 7 to 10 days of the treatment process) increases the effectiveness of medications and reduces the possibility of developing unwanted complications.
Limitations in prescribing physical therapy
The success and safety of using physiotherapy courses is ensured by observing reasonable caution. For example, during pregnancy, due to the possibility negative impact on the fetus, use is contraindicated:
- magnetic therapy;
- Microwave therapy.
The prescription of physiotherapy for children with malnutrition, with reduced adaptive and reactive capabilities of the body, with the risk of dissemination of the concomitant disease, against the background of hyperthermia and a tendency to hemorrhage, is limited. There are also age restrictions for the use of physiotherapy in children. Acceptable destination:
- UHF, ultraviolet irradiation and microwave therapy - from birth;
- electrophoresis - from the second month of life;
- ultrasound and electrical stimulation - from two years;
- dynamic currents - only from the age of seven.
Restoring facial expressions with massage and exercise therapy
Massage courses are prescribed no earlier than 3–4 weeks from the start of drug therapy; their duration is selected individually for each patient. On average, a full course can include from 10 to 15 sessions. Massage for neuritis should be performed only by an experienced massage therapist, because:
- the area of influence is an extremely sensitive area - the face;
- the procedure will require a healthcare professional special training and specific professional skills.
While attending sessions with a specialist, the patient is recommended to remember the sequence and intensity of the manipulations performed, so that later, at home, he will be able to continue the course independently to consolidate the effect. Massage and facial gymnastics go perfectly together, complementing each other. By interacting, they give an enhanced effect, allowing you to quickly restore facial expressions. Continue doing exercises that train facial muscles, patients are recommended to go home after discharge.
Application of surgical methods
In cases where measures complex therapy clinical improvement cannot be achieved even after 8–10 months, the patient is transferred to surgeons. Most often, surgical intervention is used:
- with compression of the facial nerve in the fallopian canal;
- when its integrity is violated due to traumatic origin.
The facial nerve trunk and its branches are able to fully restore their functionality after surgery. The help of plastic surgeons is sought when muscle contractures occur on the face after neuritis. In this case, the surgical method can only eliminate the cosmetic defect. Muscles that are tight and have lost elasticity due to prolonged inactivity are not able to regain their functionality.
