Have you ever known someone who experienced facial paralysis? Maybe you’ve even experienced it yourself. Being unable to move your facial muscles is a frightening experience that can leave you feeling helpless.
So why does facial paralysis happen — and, if it does, what are you supposed to do?
What is facial paralysis?
Facial paralysis is a condition where you cannot move the muscles on one or both sides of your face because of nerve damage caused by:
- Inflammation or swelling
- Stroke
- Tumor
- Neuromuscular conditions like myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy
- Trauma
- Side effects of certain medications like botulinum toxin
One of the most common conditions that cause facial paralysis is Bell’s palsy, a condition that occurs when the facial nerve becomes damaged or inflamed. If a person who is otherwise healthy experiences facial paralysis, it is commonly due to Bell’s palsy.
In cases like stroke, facial paralysis will onset very rapidly. Other causes like tumors will result in facial paralysis over time. With these types of conditions, patients typically experience other accompanying symptoms along with facial paralysis.
Treating facial paralysis
First things first: call your doctor immediately so they can evaluate you, determine the cause of the paralysis, and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
“Treatment will depend on the underlying condition that caused the facial paralysis,” explained Nicholas Mathenia, DO, a neurologist with Endeavor Health. “For example, treating conditions like stroke or tumor can eventually resolve facial paralysis in some cases.”
For conditions like Bell’s palsy, doctors typically prescribe a course of medications and physical therapy exercises for the facial muscles. About 90% of patients with Bell’s palsy experience a full recovery within a year. For a small percentage of severe cases, the paralysis may be permanent.
Conditions like myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy cannot be cured, but various treatments or assistive devices can help improve symptoms and allow patients to lead largely normal lives. If someone is experiencing facial paralysis due to one of these conditions, their healthcare provider may be able to help provide some symptom relief, but their facial paralysis cannot ultimately be cured.
Preventing facial paralysis
So, is facial paralysis preventable?
That depends on the cause. For people suffering from Bell’s palsy, facial paralysis often occurs with little or no warning and there is no known way to prevent it.
One cause of facial paralysis that may be more preventable is stroke. You can reduce your risk of stroke through some of the following ways:
- Quitting smoking if you smoke
- Maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure
- Manage conditions like heart disease and diabetes
- Exercise
- Eat healthy, whole foods
- Maintain a healthy weight
“No matter the cause, if you ever experience facial paralysis, contact your healthcare provider right away,” said Dr. Mathenia. “We treat facial paralysis on a case-by-case basis, so it’s important to remember that your doctor needs to determine the best course of treatment for you.”
