The seventh nerve inflammation is a condition that affects a face nerve called “the seventh nerve”, and leads to a sudden weakness or paralysis in the muscles of one side of the face.
This inflammation appears suddenly, and the injured person may notice difficulty smiling or closing the eye on the affected side. Often the cause is viral inflammation, and most people recover from it in a few weeks.
What is the seventh nerve role?
The seventh nerve is responsible for the movement of the facial muscles (such as smiling, lifting the eyebrows, closing the eyes), controlling the laboratory and glands, and feeling taste in the two -thirds of the tongue, stimulating the passenger muscle inside the middle ear to help adjust the severity of the sound.
When the seventh nerve is infected with inflammation, symptoms appear suddenly, and the person often thinks that he suffers from a stroke, but the difference is that the stroke affects more than part of the body, while the seventh nerve inflammation often affects the face only.
Causes of the seventh nerve inflammation
Viral infection is the most prominent causes, as viruses lead to inflammation and swelling of the nerve. One of the most famous viruses associated with the condition: the herpes virus, the herpes virus, the influenza virus, the Coxsaki virus, and the Corona virus (in rare cases).
In addition to exposure to a cold air stream on the face, especially during sleep or after bathing, it may lead to irritation and inflammation. This is common in areas with cold weather.
Likewise, stress and psychological pressure may weaken the immune system, which makes the body more vulnerable to viruses, and thus for the seventh nerve inflammation.
Likewise, people with weakening of the immune system, such as diabetics, pregnant women, or those who take immunosuppressive medications, are more likely to be injured.
Also, the infections or infections of the ear or face may lead to the seventh nerve infection, due to the occurrence of otitis or infections in the area near the nerve, may cause or pressure it.
Symptoms of the seventh nerve inflammation
Symptoms of the seventh nerve inflammation appear suddenly, and are at the forefront of the symptoms:
Weakness or paralysis in half of the face.
Difficulty moving the facial muscles such as smiling or raising the eyebrow.
Inability to close the entire eye on the affected side.
In addition to changes in the eye and mouth, the eye is dry due to poor closure of the eyelid, excessive tears or a lack of tears, gaming saliva on the side of the affected mouth, difficulty chewing or speaking clearly, as well as changes in taste, loss or weakness of the sense of taste in the front of the tongue (the same side of paralysis).
In addition to the occurrence of mild to medium behind the ear directly, it may appear before the appearance of paralysis, and an extra sensitivity to the sounds. In some cases, the person feels that the normal sounds are very high or disturbing, due to the affected muscle of the passengers in the middle ear.
Seventh nerve inflammation
The risk of seventh nerve inflammation
There are several complications that may occur as a result of the seventh nerve inflammation, among which the eye may develop excessive dryness, corneal inflammation, scratches or ulcers in the surface of the eye and involuntary movements such as closing the eye when smiling, or moving the angle of the mouth when eyelashes.
A permanent loss of partial taste, poor taste may continue in part of the tongue, and although most cases improve within weeks, some people may suffer from delay in recovery or the facial muscles not returning to their entire normal position.
What are the differences between the seventh nerve inflammation and stroke
Comparison
Seventh nerve inflammation
stroke
The beginning of symptoms
Surprisingly, usually within hours
Very surprising, in seconds to minutes
Paralympic
In the entire face of the face
Only at the bottom of the face, often, with other parts of the body affected
The ability to raise the eyebrow
Not possible (paralysis in the forehead and eyebrow)
The ability to lift the eyebrow remains often present
Eye movement
Inability to close the affected eye
The eye is closed naturally
The sense of taste
You may be affected by the same aspect of paralysis
Usually it is not affected
Seventh nerve inflammation treatment
Drug therapy is usually done through the use of cortisone, as it is the main and most effective treatment, it reduces swelling and pressure on the nerve, as well as antivirals, it is used if it is expected to have a viral infection such as herpes, often given with cortisone.
Likewise, home care starting with eye protection, if the eye is not closed well, it must be protected to avoid dehydration and ulcers, by using moisturizing eye drops (artificial tears) during the day, using an ointment for the eye during sleep, putting a eye -protecting cover at night or wearing sunglasses during the day.
In addition to facial exercises and physical therapy, through exercises to stimulate the facial muscles such as trying to smile, lift the eyebrow, blowing the cheek, or physical therapy (physical) under a specialized supervision, helps in restoring movement and muscle coordination, electrical therapy (in some cases) to stimulate the nerves.
