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CONDITION/DISORDER SYNONYMS
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PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERN
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PATIENT PRESENTATION
Patient is a 35-year-old female who woke up with facial nerve paralysis. Patient presents with facial droop (see image 1). On examination it was found that she had absent brow furrowing, weak eye closure and drooping of her mouth angle. She was provided eye lubricants and guidance on keeping her eye moist. Patient is unable to smile or control muscles on the left side of the face. Patient received direct current electric stimulation during exercises.1
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Paralysis or weakness of muscles on one side of face
Sudden onset, often overnight
Damage to the seventh cranial (facial) nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face, causing that side of face to droop2
Nerve damage may affect sense of taste, production of tears and saliva
Lower motor neuron (LMN) disease
Diagnosis usually made by history and clinical examination
Afflicts approximately 40,000 Americans each year
Equally likely in men and women
Can present at any age, but less common before age 15 years or after age 60
More prevalent in people with diabetes or upper respiratory ailments, such as flu or cold
More likely in pregnant women
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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of face that causes it to droop (main symptom)
Difficulty closing eye on affected side
Drooling
Dry mouth
Eye problems, such as excessive tearing or dry eye
Loss of ability to taste
Pain in or behind ear
Facial numbness on affected side
Increased sensitivity to sound
Headache
Facial twitch
Inability to smile or make facial expressions
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Functional Implications
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Dry eyes
Eating
Hearing
Psychological impact
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