Neuritis of facial nerve

Neuritis of the facial nerve is a disease that is associated with the pathology of the facial nerve. This nerve is the seventh cranial nerve. He answers for facial expressions, as well as for the movements of the lips and eyelids.

Facial neuritis, as a rule, occurs quite unexpectedly. The entire half of the person innervated by the nerve is affected. The cause of this disease has not yet been established. It is believed that some viral diseases lead to it.

Development of the disease occurs within forty-eight hours. In some cases, patients feel pain behind the ear.

Neuritis of the facial nerve leads to the fact that a person can not close the eye, which is on the affected side. In some cases, the eyelid turns out. On the affected side all hangs, the patient loses the ability to move the muscles of the face. The patient can not close his eyes, they are constantly open, which means that the drying begins. This leads to conjunctivitis and even to keratitis.

Neuritis of the facial nerve leads to loss of taste, dry mouth.

What are the reasons

There are several reasons:

- Toxic effect. This includes alcohol abuse, carbon monoxide poisoning and so on;

- trauma;

- infection of the face or ear;

- various diseases of the nervous system ;

Metabolic diseases.

How to identify the disease

A variety of different methods are used for diagnosis. It is necessary to determine the exact causes of the disease. In the future, this will help to choose the appropriate method of treatment.

For diagnostics apply:

- balance test;

- tear test (the ability to produce tears may indicate a lot);

- study of the ear (an auditory nerve is evaluated);

- taste test;

- electric targets (stimulation of the nerve with an electric current);

- Radiodiagnosis.

Treatment of facial nerve neuropathy

In general, the success of treatment depends on the reason for the ailment that has arisen.

Today, most often neuropathy of the facial nerve is treated with corticosteroids. In the event that the cause of the disease was a virus, the doctor prescribes antiviral drugs. For example, "Acyclovir." Relief in this case will come about in about five days. After this, the patient will be treated with corticosteroids.

Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are popular. They are used quite often, although the benefits from them are not so great.

Neuritis of the facial nerve can be treated and surgically. When it is decompressed, that is, the release of the facial nerve. This method is controversial. As a rule, it is used in the first stage of the disease.

Eye protection

As already mentioned above, the eyes suffer from this disease for one reason or another . The cornea may dry out, and this is a big trouble. For eye protection, it is recommended to wear special glasses that are able to protect from dust. It is also recommended to constantly close your eyes, use drops and ointments.

Restoration of facial nerve functions

The methods here can be used as follows:

- Permutation of the nerve;

- muscle transplantation;

- microsurgical nerve repair;

- rearrangement of muscles.

In most cases, the patient can fully recover after only six months from the time the treatment was started. Do not forget that it is important to reliably eliminate the underlying disease - the very thing that caused the neuritis of the optic nerve.

It is important to look after the eyes properly. If you care improperly, you will have problems. This means that it is necessary to comply with all the doctor's recommendations.

In some cases, serious complications can occur not only with the eyes. The disease can last for a long time, and the treatment will continue for a long time.