Face palsy is a broad term for the weakening of the facial muscles caused by temporary or permanent injury to the facial nerve.
When a facial nerve is damaged or absent, the muscles of the face do not get the required impulses to operate properly.
This causes paralysis of the afflicted portion of the face, affecting the mobility of the eye(s), mouth, and other areas.
Causes
Idiopathic Bell's Palsy
The most prevalent cause of facial paralysis is a stroke.
Its etiology is unknown; however, it is most likely caused by a Herpes Simplex infection.
Tumor A tumor compressing the facial nerve can induce facial paralysis, however, the facial nerve is more usually affected after surgical excision of a tumor.
Acoustic neuroma is the most prevalent type of tumor that causes facial palsy following surgical excision (also known as vestibular schwannoma)
Less common tumors that induce facial palsy (or require surgery to remove) include cholesteatomas, hemangiomas, facial schwannomas, and parotid gland tumors.
Infection
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by an infection with Herpes Zoster.
Facial paralysis, herpetiform vesicular eruptions, and vestibulocochlear dysfunction occur in a syndromic pattern.
People with Ramsay Hunt syndrome have a higher chance of hearing loss than patients with Bell's palsy, and the condition progresses more painfully.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome individuals also had a decreased rate of recovery from facial palsy
Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi infection transmitted by tick bites.
10% of Lyme disease patients acquire facial paralysis, and 25% of these individuals manifest bilateral facial palsy.
Idiopathic facial nerve damage
TMJ replacement, mastoidectomy, and parotidectomy are the most prevalent causes of this condition
Risk factors
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Hypercoagulability, elevated blood pressure and fluid load, viral infections, and decreased immunity are all possible causes.
Infection of the ears
Infection of the upper respiratory tract
Obesity
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