Facial nerve disorders

Facial nerve disorders refer to conditions that affect the facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve. This nerve is responsible for controlling the muscles in your face and plays a vital role in facial expressions, taste sensations, and tear and saliva production. Facial nerve disorder symptoms, such as weakness or paralysis, may develop because of a stroke, surgery, trauma, viral infection, or tumor formation. Getting treatment as quickly as possible after symptoms begin can help prevent complications and improve outcomes for individuals with facial nerve disorders.

Types of facial nerve disorders include:

• Bell's palsy: A sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of the face, it's often temporary and can result from inflammation, compression, or damage to the facial nerve.
• Facial nerve compression: Conditions like hemifacial spasm or trigeminal neuralgia can result in compression of the facial nerve, leading to involuntary muscle spasms, twitching, or pain.
• Facial nerve trauma: Any trauma to the head or face, such as fractures or surgical procedures, can damage the facial nerve and lead to weakness or paralysis of facial muscles.
• Facial spasms: This unexpected facial muscle twitching is caused by irritated nerves or pressure from blood vessels in the brain.
• Neuroma: A slow-growing tumor that can compress or invade the facial nerve, it causes facial weakness or paralysis. It's also referred to as schwannoma.
• Ramsay Hunt syndrome: Pain and blistering in and around the ear and ear canal, it happens when the facial nerve near one of the ears gets affected by a shingles outbreak.

Doctors called neurologists and otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists) treat facial nerve disorders. Neurologists and otolaryngologists at Penn Medicine are among the leading providers in the southeastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey region who are dedicated to diagnosing and treating nerve-related problems.

Symptoms of facial nerve disorders typically develop suddenly and can range from mild weakness to total paralysis of the affected area of the face. Everyone experiences the symptoms differently, but they may include:

• Change in saliva or tear production
• Change in taste
• Eyelid or mouth drooping
• Facial pain
• Facial paralysis
• Facial weakness
• Inability to close one eye
• Pain near one ear
• Sensitivity to loud sounds in one ear
• Speech disruptions
• Twitching or involuntary muscle movements
• Unexplained tearing of one eye

Facial nerve disorders may be caused by several factors, including autoimmune diseases, genetic conditions, neurological disorders, stroke, surgical complications, trauma, tumors, or viral infections.

Treating facial nerve disorders often involves coordination among different Penn Medicine specialists to ensure the best outcome. Depending on your condition, your care team may include audiologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, and others. We’ll work together to guide you through every phase of your medical journey. We’re dedicated to relieving your facial nerve symptoms with treatments that are right for you.

• Antiviral medications
• Biofeedback therapy
• Botox injections
• Physical therapy
• Steroids
• Surgery

Not all facial nerve conditions can be prevented. However, there are habits you can build to reduce the likelihood of developing some facial nerve disorders.

• Medical care: Seek prompt medical attention for any symptoms that may indicate an underlying issue affecting the facial nerve, such as sudden weakness or paralysis of the face, changes in sensation, or difficulty with facial movements.
• Avoid risky behaviors: Minimize exposure to environmental toxins, practice safe driving habits to reduce the risk of accidents, and avoid activities that increase the likelihood of facial trauma.
• Healthy lifestyle: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management to support your overall immune function.
• Manage underlying conditions: If you have conditions known to increase the risk of facial nerve disorders, such as diabetes or autoimmune diseases, work closely with your provider to manage these conditions effectively and reduce their impact on nerve health.
• Protect your head and face: Take precautions to prevent traumatic injuries to the face, such as wearing appropriate safety gear during sports or activities with a risk of facial injury.
• Regular check-ups: Attend routine medical check-ups to monitor your overall health and address any emerging issues or risk factors for facial nerve disorders.
• Vaccinations: Stay up to date on vaccinations, particularly those that can prevent viral infections known to cause facial nerve disorders, such as the shingles vaccine.

While it may not be possible to prevent all cases of facial nerve disorders, taking proactive steps to promote overall health and minimize specific risks can help reduce the likelihood of developing these conditions.