Wake up to a different face? Uncover the symptoms and daily care of facial paralysis

Have any of you ever encountered this situation: after getting up in the morning, you suddenly found that your face became asymmetrical, you couldn't raise one eyebrow, you couldn't close your eyes, and even your smile became distorted? This may be the symptom of facial paralysis. So, what exactly is facial paralysis? What are its symptoms? What causes it? How does traditional Chinese medicine treat it? How can we prevent it? Let's learn about it together.

Facial paralysis, medically known as facial nerve paralysis, is mainly manifested by the sudden paralysis of the facial expression muscles on one side. Specific symptoms include: 1. Difficulty closing the eyes: The patient cannot completely close the eye on the affected side and tears easily flow when sleeping. 2. Distorted smile: When the patient smiles, the corner of the mouth on the affected side cannot rise, and the smile becomes asymmetrical. 3. Pain behind the ear: Some patients experience pain behind the ear before the onset of the disease. 4. Decreased sense of taste: The taste of the front 2/3 of the tongue on the affected side may be reduced.

Facial paralysis is divided into peripheral facial paralysis and central facial paralysis. Although both make some muscles on our face uncontrollable, their occurrence locations and affected areas are different. Peripheral facial paralysis usually occurs suddenly, and one side of the facial expression is completely paralyzed, such as the eyes cannot be closed, the corners of the mouth are crooked, and the eyebrows cannot be frowned. Patients with central facial paralysis can frown, but cannot close their eyes and the corners of their mouths are crooked.

There are many reasons for facial paralysis, mainly the following factors: 1. Infection: For example, before the onset of the disease, there have been viral colds, otitis media, herpes zoster, etc. 2. Autoimmune factors: The human immune system mistakenly attacks the facial nerve. 3. Trauma: The facial nerve is damaged by a blow or surgery. 4. Tumor: A tumor on the face or in the skull compresses the facial nerve. 5. Congenital factors: A very small number of patients with facial paralysis may be related to congenital developmental abnormalities.

Traditional Chinese medicine also calls facial paralysis "mouth and eye deviation", and believes that the main cause is insufficient positive energy, which causes the disease due to cold or wind-heat evil. Acupuncture has a good effect on the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. It can stimulate facial acupuncture points, dredge facial meridians, and promote the recovery of facial nerve function. It is currently the safe and effective first choice for the treatment of facial paralysis. In addition, skin acupuncture, cupping and acupoint application can also be used for treatment to promote the dredging of meridians and relieve facial muscle tension.

Facial paralysis can be prevented. To prevent facial paralysis, we should start with daily living habits: 1. Maintain a good work and rest schedule and avoid overwork. 2. Keep your face warm and avoid direct exposure to cold wind. 3. Strengthen exercise to improve your body's immunity. 4. Prevent colds and avoid viral infections. 5. Keep a good mood and avoid mood swings.

In short, although facial paralysis is painful, most patients can return to normal through timely treatment and active prevention. If you have symptoms of facial paralysis, don't panic, go to the hospital as soon as possible, and the combination of Chinese and Western medicine can help us recover soon.

(The pictures in this article are from the Internet)

Written by: Chen Xinyi

Reviewer: Hao Yang/Guo Shengnan

Typesetting: Li Shudong