Question
A patient woke up with symptoms of facial paralysis, including a tilted mouth to the right, inability to close the left eye, twisting of the mouth when spitting, and severe tearing in the left eye. These symptoms have been present for four days. How should facial paralysis be treated?
Answer
Facial paralysis is a common disease characterized by rapid onset, age-independent, and the potential for rapid deterioration within a few hours to a few days, reaching the peak of facial muscle function. It can have a severe impact on the patient’s physical and mental health. The causes of facial paralysis are often related to localized cold or viral infections, sometimes associated with common cold virus infections. Most patients with facial paralysis have a good prognosis and can recover completely. The treatment of facial paralysis requires corresponding measures to be taken according to different stages, with early treatment focusing on anti-inflammatory and nutritional nerve care, and later stages based on rehabilitation therapy. For refractory cases of facial paralysis, surgical treatment can be considered. For pediatric patients, while receiving symptomatic treatment, alternative remedies can be used as auxiliary treatments.