Can Botox Fix A Person’s Facial Droop? (Facial Paralysis Treatments)

Millions of people today may suffer from the chances of getting heart attacks that can lead to ischemic stroke. One of the significant side – effects of having this disease is facial droop or paralysis. However, there are various approaches to medical technology to stop recurring facial droop. Treatments like Botox may be one of the best modern health treatments for facial droop. Notably, patients that had a stroke may require similar facial paralysis treatments to reignite their facial muscles.

Are you curious about the safety of botulinum toxin for your skin and overall health? You may want to ask your trusted doctor to restore your jaw, muscles, nerves, tendons, and facial features.

What Causes Facial Droop?

Facial nerve weakness is common for aging adults or people who have rare disorders in their faces. Facial droop, also called Bell’s Palsy, is a facial paralysis disorder due to nerve damage. Accidents, heart attack, stroke, skull fracture, or head and neck tumor may also lead to facial droop. Moreover, infection of facial nerves, and inflammation on the cheeks, forehead, corners of the mouth also cause facial nerve paralysis. 

Weakness in the nerves may also be caused by Lyme disease, Multiple sclerosis, or ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The side effect of any of these cardiovascular, central nervous system, or immune system diseases can range from numbness in the face, brain damage, loss of control on the upper eyelid, or inability to lift your jaw.

Symptoms When To Go To A Hospital

Although facial droop isn’t an emergency, the paralysis may need urgent care. Especially if the person can’t move their face to eat, speak, or even sleep. You may have to go to different doctors or surgeons to get the best treatment for you or your loved ones. Moreover, health insurance coverage includes or excludes paying for costs of other treatments. Don’t hesitate to visit a hospital if you see any of these early signs. 

• Crooked smile or mouth deformation
• Inability to raise parts of the face (eyebrows, mouth, blinking)
• Sagging eyelids, baggy eyes
• Other asymmetrical features            

Facial Paralysis Treatments

A gradual loss of control in your drooping face may lead to other serious complications. If you don’t treat a drooping face, you may have breathing problems, speaking, eating, and even sleeping. Do you know which facial droop treatment is the best for you? Consider researching more about these suggestions from a hospital that treats a face with nerve and muscle problems.

Botox

Botulinum toxin remains as one of the best reconstructive procedures for persons with facial droop or facial paralysis. Botox works as a numbing and freezing noninvasive procedure to hold drooping muscles and skin. The numbing drug works by using a purified form of toxin from bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. 

These bacteria are responsible for botulism, which binds receptors in the nerves and muscles of the face. Since botox may usually last three to six months, expect to get sessions of Botox® injections in a clinic that may last up to a few years.

Temporalis Tendon Transfer

A temporalis tendon transfer is when the tendons and bones in the face are cut to improve symmetry. It also helps attaching the muscles in the corner of the mouth to improve speech and eating problems. 

According to surgeons, temporalis tendon transfer in the jaw has mild to moderate pain. But, through physical therapy and continuous treatment, the patient can expect the procedure to last for years. You may contact an otolaryngology specialist or surgeon to consult more about your temporalis tendon transfer. 

Oral Steroids

One side of the face affected by Bell’s palsy can mean that there are nerve issues that cause your face to droop. The disease commonly starts at age 40, where most doctors prescribe corticosteroids or Prednisone to decrease the asymmetry. Researchers with years of case studies are also developing antivirals and other medicines numbing the face. 

Prescription medicine from a physician may also stop muscles from leading to a facial droop. A doctor only prescribes oral steroids. Hence, you may not get over-the-counter alternatives for medicine. 

Nerve Graft

A surgeon can perform a nerve graft to attach weak or loose nerve endings to your other nerves. In the procedure, a portion of the sensory nerve is sutured to bond a gap caused by an injury or accident. 

Peripheral nerve disorders will usually feel numbness on the side where the issue persists. A diagnosis such as Bell‘s Palsy or cases of cranial and muscle disorders may get a nerve graft. Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, may increase the healing process of an outpatient.

How To Prevent Facial Droop Or Paralysis

Is it possible to prevent nerve diseases? According to doctors, Bell’s palsy, facial paralysis, and other related health risks of facial droop are unpredictable. But, some studies claim that there are fewer chances of nerve damage occurring at a younger age for people who receive natural sources of Vitamin B. Supplements under the umbrella of Vitamin B such as B-6, B-12, and Vitamin B complex are great for nerve support. 

Regardless of which option you will choose to decrease the effect of droop on one side of your face, don’t forget to ask if you qualify for any of the mentioned procedures. Some illnesses like heart diseases, diabetes, HIV, or chronic diseases may not benefit from the previously mentioned procedures.