Facial nerve palsy
Facial Nerve Palsy
Facial nerve palsy (pronunciation: /ˈfeɪʃəl nɜːrv ˈpɔːlzi/), also known as Bell's palsy, is a medical condition that results in weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. This condition is caused by damage to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), which controls the muscles of the face.
Etymology
The term "palsy" is derived from the Old French paralisie, which means "paralysis". The term "facial nerve" is self-explanatory, referring to the nerve that supplies the face.
Symptoms
Symptoms of facial nerve palsy can vary, but they typically involve some degree of facial weakness. This can include difficulty closing the eye, drooping of the mouth, and loss of the sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue. Other symptoms can include increased sensitivity to sound in one ear, decreased tearing and salivation, and in rare cases, loss of sense of taste.
Causes
Facial nerve palsy can be caused by a variety of conditions, including stroke, Lyme disease, HIV, sarcoidosis, and tumors that press on the facial nerve. However, in many cases, the cause of facial nerve palsy is unknown, a condition known as idiopathic facial nerve palsy or Bell's palsy.
Treatment
Treatment for facial nerve palsy depends on the underlying cause. If the cause is known, treatment will focus on addressing that condition. For example, if the palsy is caused by Lyme disease, antibiotics will be prescribed. If the cause is unknown, treatment may involve medications to reduce inflammation and swelling around the facial nerve, physical therapy to stimulate the facial muscles, and sometimes surgery.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Facial nerve palsy
- Wikipedia's article - Facial nerve palsy
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