Generally speaking, the phrase “facial palsy” describes a weakness of the face muscles that is primarily brought on by temporary or permanent injury to the facial nerve.
The muscles of the face do not get the messages they need to work properly when a facial nerve is either missing or not functioning. This causes paralysis in the area of the face that is afflicted, which may impair the movement of the affected eye(s) or mouth, among other facial features.
Symptoms
Cold
Ear infection
Eye infection
Drooling
sound sensitivity
Headache
a decline in taste
Causes
Although the precise cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown, viral infections are frequently linked to it.
Herpes simplex genital herpes and cold sores
Herpes zoster and the chickenpox
Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis
infections with the cytomegalovirus
Adenovirus-related respiratory ailments
Russian mumps (rubella)
The mumps virus
influenza (type B)
Coxsackievirus, or hand, foot, and mouth illness
Pathophysiology
The ipsilateral 7th cranial nerve innervates the facial muscles peripherally (infranuclear innervation), and the contralateral cerebral cortex innervates them centrally (supranuclear innervation). In general, central innervation is unilateral for the lower face and bilateral for the upper face (for example, the muscles of the forehead). Both central and peripheral lesions thus have a tendency to paralyse the lower face. The upper face, however, is typically more affected by peripheral lesions (such as facial nerve palsy) than by central lesions (such as stroke).
Diagnosis
The Bell’s palsy condition has no specific test. Other illnesses that can produce facial muscle paralysis that resembles Bell’s palsy include strokes, infections, Lyme disease, inflammatory conditions, and tumours. If the source of your symptoms is unclear, your doctor can suggest more tests, such as:
Electromyography (EMG).
Imaging scans.
Blood tests.
Treatment
Medication
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone. .
Antiviral drugs.
Physical therapy
Surgery
Decompression surgery, which involves widening the bone channel that the facial nerve travels through, was once employed to release pressure on the nerve. Decompression surgery is not advised today. This operation may come with hazards like permanent hearing loss and facial nerve damage.
Rarely, permanent facial nerve issues may require plastic surgery to be fixed. Surgery to restore facial movement and level out the face’s appearance is known as facial reanimation. These procedures include nerve grafts, eyelid lifts, face implants, and brow lifts as examples. After a few years, some treatments, like a brow lift, might need to be redone.
Prognosis
The result of idiopathic facial nerve palsy depends on the degree of nerve injury. If any function is still there, full recovery usually takes several months. Electromyography and nerve conduction investigations are carried out to aid in outcome prediction. If nerve branches in the face continue to respond normally to supramaximal electrical stimulation, the likelihood of full recovery following total paralysis is 90%; however, the likelihood is just around 20% if electrical excitability is missing.
It is possible for nerve fibres to grow back in the wrong places, innervating lower face muscles with periocular fibres and vice versa. Synkinesia, or sudden muscle contraction with voluntary facial motions, or crocodile tears during salivation are the results. Contractures could develop if facial muscles aren’t used frequently.
Complications
Non-severe Bell’s palsy often resolves after a month. In more severe cases where the face was completely paralysed, recovery may take longer.
Possible complications include:
Damage to your face nerve that is permanent.
irregular nerve fibre regrowth. This could cause specific muscles to contract without your conscious consent when you’re using other muscles to move (synkinesis). For instance, when you smile, the eye on the affected side might close.
blindness caused by an eye that won’t shut, either entirely or partially. This is brought on by excessive dryness and scratching of the cornea, the transparent layer that protects the eye.
Facial palsy in Ayurveda
The actions of the facial muscles are essential to modern living. The face is a reflection of the mind. A person’s facial expressions (smile, sadness, etc.) indicate their mood.
The inability to move the muscles of the face on one or both sides is referred to as facial paralysis. 15–30 instances are reported annually per 100,000 people. Both men and women are affected, with the age range of 10 to 40 years having the highest risk.
One of the vataja nanatmaja vikaras in Ayurveda is ardita vata.
Let’s examine who ardita vata can impact.
expecting mothers
women in the postpartum period
Emaciated and frail individuals
excessive snoring and raucous laughter
eating things that are challenging to chew
carrying around heavy objects on the head Middle ear infections
Viral infection and Herpes zoster
Prognosis
Curable
Pathogenesis – Nidana sevana causes vata to intensify and settle in the mukha ardha bhaga, creating the vikrti of mukha known as Ardita vata.
Predominal symptoms of ardita vata
feeling of utter horror
localised or generalised tremors
excessive tearing or eye turbidity
At the location, tingling discomfort and numbness
stiffness in the lower jaw and neck’s sides
Causes
The main factor causing epiphora, or increased lacrimation, is impairment in the lacrimal pump mechanism brought on by lack of blinking. The ailment known as “Ardita” emerges when the Vata is vitiated by the appropriate causal factors and localised in the areas of the head, nose, chin, forehead, and eyes.
Line of treatment
Line of treatment of Facial paralysis:
Abhyanga (oil massage), Mridu swedana (therapy for light perspiration), Nasya (nasal drops), and Snigdha-Amla-Lavana rasa Prayoga (the administration of drugs with unctuous, sour, and salty tastes) and Vatahara oushadha (medication and treatment that balances vata) are two examples.
Single herbs
Single herbs useful in facial palsy:
Lashuna-garlic for facial palsy
Nirgundi- Vitex negundo
Eranda-Castor leaves and oil
Lavanga
Sarshapa- Mustard
Rasna- Alpinia galanga
Masha- Blackgram
Bala- Sida cordifolia
Hingu-Asa foetida
Guggulu-Guggulu resin- Commiphora mukul
Ayurvedic medicines useful in Facial paralysis:
Medicines for External application:
Clove, mustard, nirgundi, and eranda leaf paste, ground finely
Karpasathyadi taila
Mahanarayana taila
Saindhavadi taila
Laghuvishagarbha taila and Vishagarbha Taila
Prasarini taila
Vijayabhairava taila
Oral Ayurvedic medicines for Facial palsy:
Rasona pinda
Maharasnadi kwatha
Rasnadi guggulu
Dashamoola rasayana
Medicines for Ardhita vata from Sahasra yoga
Arditakshepaka vatahara kashayam
Maharasnadi kwatham
Kaushikokta Rasnadi kwatham
Kushtahara kashayam
Karpasasthyadi Tailam
Kanthashuddhi Gutika
Maha mayura Ghritam
Wholesome diet and habits
Warm water
Lukewarm milk
Black gram
Wheat
Red rice
Drumstick
Garlic
Raisins
Meatsoup etc
Unwholesome diet and habits
Etiological factors
Stress and strain
Bitter and dry substances
Fried eatables
Work exhaustion
Yoga
Bhujangasana
It increases the strength of the intercostal muscles in the chest, consequently enhancing the lungs’ essential capacity (Cobra’s hood Posture). Therefore, people with bronchial asthma can benefit the most from this position. Additionally, the position helps to ease neck stiffness and strengthens the muscles in the arms, neck, and upper back.
The Food and Drug Administration, United States has not evaluated these statements. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your GP before the intake.
Please consult Dr. Rajesh Nair here-
https://www.ayurvedaforall.com/online-consultation.html
Writer:
Dr. Rajesh Nair, the co-founder and chief consultant of Ayurvedaforall.Com, is a graduate of prestigious Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda College (affiliated with the University of Calicut), Kerala, India. Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy from Annamalai University.
Dr. Nair offers consultation at two busy clinics in and around Haripad, Alleppey, Kerala, the southern state famous worldwide for authentic ayurvedic treatment and physicians. While offering consultation on all aspects of ayurvedic treatments Dr. Nair has a special interest in Panchkarma, Yoga, and Massage.
Through Ayurvedaforall, Dr. Nair offers online consultation to patients worldwide and has served hundreds of patients over the last 20 years. In addition to his Ayurvedic practice, he is the chief editor of ayurveda-amai.org, the online portal of Ayurveda Medical Association of India, and the Secretary of the Kerala State Committee of Ayurveda Medical Association of India.
Dr. Nair is a regular speaker at Ayurveda-related conferences and has visited Germany to propagate Ayurveda. You can write directly to him-rajesh@ayurvedaforall.com
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