The difference between hemifacial spasm and facial paralysis

There are actually some muscles in the human face, and these muscles support facial movements. However, the face is prone to problems such as facial spasm and facial paralysis, which are common problems in life. However, since the symptoms of facial spasm and facial paralysis are similar, many people cannot tell the difference between them. The following article will explain the difference between facial spasm and facial paralysis.

1. Different definitions

Facial palsy is facial muscle paralysis, also known as facial nerve paralysis. It is caused by the fact that the peripheral branches of the facial nerve are relatively superficial and susceptible to various damages, leading to facial nerve paralysis, muscle degeneration and atrophy.

Facial expression muscle movement disorder. Depending on the location of the damage, it can be divided into central facial neuritis and peripheral facial neuritis.

Hemifacial spasm, also known as facial muscle twitching, is caused by nerve compression or nerve damage, which causes paroxysmal, irregular, involuntary twitching of the facial muscles on one or both sides. Divided into

Primary (also called idiopathic) and secondary (also called symptomatic) hemifacial spasm.

2. Different groups of people are affected

Young people are more susceptible to facial paralysis, especially women of childbearing age.

The most susceptible population for hemifacial spasm is the elderly, and the incidence rate in women is much higher than that in men.

3. Different symptoms

Facial paralysis is mainly manifested by paralysis of the facial muscles, inability to close the eyelids, the two eyes are not on the same horizontal line, the tear glands and saliva secretions on both sides are different, and the corners of the mouth are crooked.

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In the early stages, hemifacial spasm is mainly manifested by eyelid twitching and slight or brief twitching of the muscles on one side of the face. As the disease worsens, the duration and severity of the convulsions will continue to increase.

The pain will get longer, worse, more frequent, and the area affected will expand, even to the neck.

4. Different treatment methods

Facial paralysis can be treated with massage, acupuncture, and surgery.

The best treatment for hemifacial spasm at present is microvascular decompression. It is worth noting that this disease is not suitable for acupuncture treatment.

After learning so much, I believe everyone has a certain understanding of facial paralysis and hemifacial spasm. The two are related to each other but also different from each other. If you encounter these two diseases in the future, you should use the right medicine for each disease and do not confuse them. Otherwise, not only will you waste your energy, but it will also aggravate the condition. We must also do a good job of prevention, pay attention to diet, avoid cold wind in winter, do not wash your face with ice water, and maintain normal activity of facial muscles.