Is facial neuritis the same as facial paralysis?

Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

Updated on August 31, 2024

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Facial neuritis can lead to facial paralysis, but facial paralysis can be divided into central facial paralysis and peripheral facial paralysis. Generally, facial paralysis caused by facial neuritis is peripheral facial paralysis. This means that there might be incomplete closure of the eyelids and deviation of the mouth corners. If central facial paralysis is considered, it generally does not lead to incomplete closure of the eyelids. Central facial paralysis is mainly caused by cerebrovascular diseases or other diseases of the brain or brainstem, whereas facial neuritis is due to damage to the facial nerve.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 2sec

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Is facial neuritis inflammation?

Bell's palsy is essentially an inflammatory reaction, but this inflammation is a nonspecific type. It also exhibits the typical inflammatory symptoms of redness, swelling, heat, and pain. However, this inflammation is not caused by direct infection from viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Since Bell's palsy is an inflammatory condition, its treatment must include corticosteroids for management. Additionally, administration of B vitamins is necessary to promote nerve function recovery. Moreover, targeted rehabilitation exercises, acupuncture, and local physiotherapy from the rehabilitation department also play a vital role in the recovery from Bell's palsy. Generally, with proper and timely treatment, Bell's palsy can fully recover, and most patients will not experience any impact on their future quality of life. However, if the symptoms of Bell's palsy are very severe, and the patient has a history of diabetes, the prognosis may be poorer.

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Written by Su Mei

Neurology

59sec

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Can facial neuritis be cured?

Patients with incomplete facial paralysis may recover or heal within one to two months, while those with complete facial paralysis generally need two to eight months, or even a year to recover, often leaving sequelae. Recovery of taste within a week indicates a good prognosis. Young patients have a better prognosis, while elderly patients with mastoid pain, diabetes, hypertension, cerebral arteriosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and other conditions have a poorer prognosis. We generally use electromyography (EMG) to examine and predict outcomes. If a patient with complete facial paralysis shows an M-wave amplitude in the affected area's EMG action potentials that is 30% or more of the normal value within seven days of the illness, they may fully recover within two months. If optic nerve potentials appear within ten days after the onset of the illness, the recovery tends to be slow.

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Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

48sec

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How is facial neuritis best treated?

The treatment of facial neuritis primarily aims to improve local blood circulation, alleviate facial nerve edema, relieve nerve compression, and promote the recovery of nerve function. Therefore, its treatment includes medication, which mainly nourishes the nerves, and may also involve antiviral drugs and corticosteroids. Physiotherapy, particularly post-acute phase, can include acupuncture or infrared radiation and local heat application. Eye protection is also necessary because patients with facial neuritis may not be able to fully close their eyelids, leaving the cornea exposed and susceptible to infection. Finally, rehabilitation treatment includes acupuncture, which is also part of the mentioned physiotherapy.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 3sec

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Does facial neuritis need treatment?

Bell's palsy is a nonspecific inflammatory reaction, primarily caused by impairment of the facial nerve leading to paralysis of the facial muscles. In general, if the symptoms of Bell's palsy are mild, such as slight drooping of the corner of the mouth and drooling, there is a possibility for spontaneous recovery. However, if the symptoms of Bell's palsy are severe, and the patient also has risk factors for diabetes, these symptoms mainly include noticeably shallower forehead wrinkles, weakness in opening and closing the eyes, inability to close the eyes while sleeping, and very severe facial paralysis. In such cases, spontaneous recovery is difficult, and active treatment is required. Treatment mainly includes corticosteroid drugs and B vitamins, along with some rehabilitative training. In summary, Bell's palsy can resolve on its own if the symptoms are mild; however, if the symptoms are severe, timely treatment is necessary to avoid lasting effects.

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

1min 10sec

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Can facial neuritis be cured?

Facial neuritis is a relatively common disease in neurology. It is mainly caused by viral infection or other nonspecific inflammatory reactions, leading to local inflammation of the facial nerve, which results in edema of the facial nerve and clinical manifestations caused by compression within the facial nerve canal. The main symptoms include shallower furrows on the affected side of the forehead, weakness in opening and closing the eyes, drooping and skewing of the mouth corner, drooling, weakness in puffing the cheeks, and air leakage when puffing the cheeks. Most patients with facial neuritis have a good prognosis, as long as the diagnosis is clear and appropriate treatment is administered in a timely manner, such as treatment with corticosteroids and B vitamins. If it is caused by a viral infection, appropriate antiviral treatment is given, and most patients can fully recover in about three months. If the condition is severe at the onset, or if the patient has risk factors such as diabetes, the prognosis is not very good. Overall, most people with facial neuritis recover well.