What are the symptoms of neuritis of the facial nerve?

Among acute neurological diseases one of the first places in frequency is occupied by neuritis of the facial nerve. Should a person with reduced immunity sit somewhere in a draft, stay under an air conditioner or get supercooled – as the symptoms of neuritis of the facial nerve immediately appear. In medical terminology, neuritis of the facial nerve is also called Bell's palsy and is an inflammatory process, & nbsp; which innervates one half of the face. Manifestations of neuritis of the facial nerve directly depend on the location of the nerve damage. Find out the symptoms of facial neuritis at estet-portal.com.

Symptoms that indicate neuritis of the facial nerve

The facial nerve runs in a narrow canal, so there is a possibility of its infringement in case of blood supply disturbance or inflammatory processes. Therefore, people who have an anatomically narrow canal or some features of the passage of the facial nerve are more likely to develop pathology.

The process of development of neuritis of the facial nerve begins with pain, which is localized behind the ear. After a couple of days, the asymmetry of the face becomes noticeable. The patient cannot close his eyelids. Moreover, when the patient tries to close his eye, he turns his face up. This indicates a positive Bell's sign. On the affected side, the nasolabial fold is smoothed out, the corner of the mouth drops, and the face becomes skewed towards the healthy side.

What is the difference between a person with neuritis of the facial nerve?

A person with neuritis of the facial nerve is unable to frown, smile, or pout, which is a manifestation of muscle weakness. The eye is wide open on the affected side of the face, there is lagophthalmos ("hare's eye"). In the region of the anterior part of the tongue, which is innervated by the branch of the facial nerve, taste sensations are reduced or absent.

Both the appearance of dry eyes and lacrimation are possible. You may also develop crocodile tears syndrome. - with constant dryness of the eye, eating is accompanied by lacrimation. Such a pathology as neuritis of the facial nerve is accompanied by hyperacusis, in which ordinary sounds seem very loud and annoying to the patient.

Dependence of symptoms of neuritis of the facial nerve on the location of the lesion:

• When the nuclei of the facial nerve are damaged, only weakness of the muscles of the face is present.
• Pathological process in the pons of the brain (damage to the nerve root and nucleus) – manifested by the presence of paresis of the facial muscles along with converging strabismus.
• Nerve damage when exiting the brainstem is characterized by muscle weakness and hearing impairment, since the auditory nerve is also affected.
• The process in the bone canal of the pyramid of the temporal bone is accompanied by mimic paralysis in combination with dry eyes, impaired salivation and taste, as well as hyperacusis.
• Inflammation in the area before the stapedial nerve leaves, accompanied by lacrimation.

Development of neuritis of the facial nerve in other diseases

In mumps, neuritis of the facial nerve is characterized by symptoms of general intoxication and an increase in the salivary glands. In chronic otitis media, neuritis of the facial nerve manifests itself against the background of the spread of infection from the middle ear. Then paresis of mimic muscles develops against the background of shooting pains.

There is Melkerson's syndrome – Rosenthal, which is a hereditary disease, has a paroxysmal course. It is manifested by neuritis of the facial nerve, dense swelling of the face and the presence of folding of the tongue. If neuritis of the facial nerve is detected, it is worth immediately starting its treatment, having established itself in the diagnosis. Read about the diagnosis and treatment of facial neuritis in our next article.