Facial nerve palsy

Cause: Most common cause is a viral infection of the facial nerve, HIV infection, Lyme disease, sarcodiosis (a chronic lung disease) tumour, stress.Symptoms: Paralysis to muscles of forehead, pain in ear, face, neck and tongue. Changes in hearing sensitivity and facial appearance, headache, taste impairment, paralysis to one side of the face, and difficulty in […]

Cause: Most common cause is a viral infection of the facial nerve, HIV infection, Lyme disease, sarcodiosis (a chronic lung disease) tumour, stress.
Symptoms: Paralysis to muscles of forehead, pain in ear, face, neck and tongue. Changes in hearing sensitivity and facial appearance, headache, taste impairment, paralysis to one side of the face, and difficulty in closing one eye.
Treatment: Treatment depends on the cause, but will include anti-inflammatory drugs and lubricating eye drops (if the eye doesn’t close). Surgery may be recommended to remove tumours pressing on the nerves. Courtesy: Health.nytimes.com