Question
I have been experiencing headaches for three days and facial paralysis symptoms for five days, accompanied by a drooping mouth. Does this indicate acute facial paralysis?
Answer
Facial paralysis, medically referred to as Bell’s palsy or facial neuritis, refers to the acute non-inflammatory inflammation of the facial nerve, leading to acute paralysis of the facial muscles on one side. Clinical manifestations include facial muscle dysfunction, such as the disappearance of forehead furrows, water from the affected side corner of the mouth during washing or eating, pain behind the ear or at the mastoid process, widened palpebral fissure that cannot be closed, and shallow nasolabial grooves. Based on your description, it is recommended that you visit a hospital specialty department for a detailed examination to differentiate between acute facial paralysis and central facial neuritis.