Question
My younger brother is 20 years old and suddenly developed a symptom of crooked lips, which has been ongoing for two weeks. I would like to inquire about the true causes and treatment methods of facial paralysis.
Answer
Facial paralysis is divided into central and peripheral types. The central type usually involves the disappearance of the forehead furrows, while the peripheral type does not. The causes of peripheral facial paralysis are numerous, with Bell’s Palsy being the most common, which is related to viral infections and often triggered by catching a cold or overexertion. Other causes include Hunt’s syndrome, traumatic facial paralysis, facial paralysis caused by otitis media, and facial nerve tumors. The treatment methods vary depending on the cause. For Bell’s Palsy, conservative treatments such as corticosteroids, vasodilators, and nutritional nerve drugs are typically used, with early use of antiviral drugs possibly helpful. For patients who do not respond to conservative treatment, facial nerve decompression surgery may increase the chance of recovery.