"Asymmetric disease": how to recognize neuritis of the facial nerve

Neuritis of the facial nerve is a lesion of the VII pair of cranial nerves, which are responsible for controlling the facial muscles of the face. In the vast majority of cases, such a lesion is unilateral and leads to partial impairment (paresis) or complete disappearance of the mobility of facial muscles (paralysis). A characteristic feature of such neuritis is the asymmetry of the face.

Factors that increase the risk of neuritis of the facial nerve: the narrow channel through which this nerve passes, and directly the structural features of this pair of nerves.  

Neuritis of the facial nerve – main signs of violation

An accurate diagnosis in the case of neuritis of the facial nerve is possible only after an examination by a qualified neurologist (for more details: http://dcenergo.ru/lechenie/nevrolog/). The following symptoms should alert the patient:

1. Pain behind the ear.
2. Manifestation of facial asymmetry:

• nasolabial fold becomes invisible;
• the corner of the mouth drops;
• closing eyelids is problematic or impossible;
• eye rolls up when trying to close eyelids;
• difficulties arise when trying to smile, frown, stretch lips, raise an eyebrow (or it is impossible to perform such mimic movements).

3. The front of the tongue is insensitive to taste stimuli.
4. May dry eye or watery eyes from affected nerve.
5. Tears may appear when eating.
6. Salivation.
7. Increased sensitivity to sounds (also from the affected nerve).

The manifestation and combination of symptoms depend on the location where the facial nerve is affected. Below we will consider:

• causes of neuritis;
• methods of diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Causes of neuritis of the facial nerve

Neuritis of the facial nerve, depending on the cause, may be:

1. Primary (as a result of hypothermia).
2. Secondary (develops against the background of other diseases).

In turn, secondary neuritis may occur due to:

• injuries;
• infectious diseases;
• hypertensive crisis;
• tumors;
• circulatory disorders in the brain;
• shingles (distinguished by rashes that can be found on the auricle, tongue and throat);
• mumps (characterized by swollen salivary glands and high fever);
• otitis media (characteristic symptom – severe ear pain);
• Melkerson-Rosenthal syndrome (accompanied by swelling of the face and folding of the tongue).

Methods of diagnosis and treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve

In terms of diagnosing neuritis of the facial nerve, a neurologist, in addition to a physical examination, may prescribe additional studies, namely MRI or CT of the brain. Such studies are necessary to exclude the presence of tumors or inflammation in the brain, which could cause neuritis.

To accurately determine the location where the nerve is affected, as well as determine the degree of its damage, use:

• electroneuromyography;
• evoked potentials of the facial nerve.

In the treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve, they combine:

• drug therapy;
• physiotherapy;
• UHF;
• massages;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• rehabilitation gymnastics;
• surgical intervention (very rarely – only in case of congenital pathologies or complete rupture of the nerve due to trauma).

Important moments of gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve

To make sure that the manipulations performed are correct, it is better to conduct several trial sessions with the attending physician. At home, gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve should be performed exclusively in front of a mirror and in a sitting position. This is necessary to control accompanying movements, the fixing of which is highly undesirable.

Before each exercise, it is important to achieve complete relaxation of the muscles, especially on the healthy side of the face.

Symmetry – Another important condition when performing gymnastics for the face. To achieve symmetry, it will be necessary to limit the range of motion of the healthy half of the face, holding it with your hand.

Gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve: description of FitFace exercises

Gymnastics for neuritis of the facial nerve consists of the following exercises:

1. Head tilts back and forth. Slow execution. Quantity: 6-8 times.

2. Alternate tilts of the head to the shoulder located on the healthy side, and passive tilts (with the help of another person).

3. Head turns left and right. Slow execution. Quantity: 6-8 times.

4. Fold closed lips with a "tube", then stretch in a smile. Quantity: 6-8 times.

5. Inflate both cheeks at the same time and release air with noise. Quantity: 6-8 times.

6. Simultaneous retraction of both cheeks. Quantity: 6-8 times.

7. After taking air into your mouth, start distilling from one cheek to another.

8. Open and close your eyes tightly. Quantity: to fatigue.

9. Overcoming the effort of a healthy hand, which pinched his forehead, raise his eyebrows. Quantity: 6-8 times.

Timely visit to the doctor and steadfast adherence to the recommendations allows to achieve complete recovery after neuritis of the facial nerve in 75% of cases. It is possible to reduce the risk of developing this disorder by timely treatment of diseases that can cause damage to the facial nerve, including otitis media and diseases of the nasopharynx.