Question
Why does facial paralysis occur?
Answer
Viral infections directly affect the facial nerve, leading to changes in speech and expression. Most patients with facial paralysis have a history of head exposure to wind or cold water before the onset of the disease, such as using a fan or being exposed to cold water. Long-term exposure to cold wind on the face may cause brain edema and severe pain, which can trigger facial paralysis. In addition, conditions such as herpes zoster, meningitis, mumps, and regional infections as well as emotional trauma are common causes of facial paralysis. The most common causes include skull base fractures, temporal bone fractures, facial trauma, surgical procedures, and damage to the facial nerve area when using neurotoxic drugs.