Facial nerve weakness manifests with a variety of noticeable symptoms, primarily affecting one side of the face.
Key Symptoms of Facial Nerve Weakness
The symptoms can range from mild to severe and often develop rapidly. Here's a breakdown of the common signs:
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Facial Paralysis: Mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of the face, occurring within hours to days. This is a hallmark symptom.
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Facial Droop and Expression Difficulties:
- Drooping of the face is a prominent sign.
- Trouble making facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning.
- Difficulty closing an eye on the affected side.
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Oral Issues:
- Drooling due to loss of muscle control.
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Pain:
- Pain around the jaw.
- Pain in or behind the ear on the affected side.
In summary, facial nerve weakness presents through physical impairments affecting facial expression, oral control and sometimes pain around the ear or jaw.
