Facial hemispasm: causes, symptoms, treatment

Gemifacial spasm is a disease in which uncontrolled contractions of muscles on one side of the face are observed. It looks like a state of withdrawal in the direction of the corner of the mouth or the tip of the nose, closing and squinting of the eye. Cramps of facial muscles can occur due to stress, cold exposure or bright light. The duration of the ripple is from a few seconds to an hour.

With the development of the disease on the affected half of the face appear skin folds and wrinkles. Facial hemispasm does not pass a long time, of course, there are short-term improvements in the form of the absence of involuntary seizures.

The main causes of the development of Brissot's disease

As already known, hemispasm is a violation, accompanied by periodic contractions of the musculature of the face. Such cramps do not cause pain. A similar ailment can occur as a result of compression of the radicular section of the facial nerve located in the brainstem. However, the exact causes provoking neural disorders are not yet known to medicine.

The most popular theory of the onset of involuntary muscle pulsations is the compression of the nerves of the face due to the expansion of the blood vessels that are located at the base of the brain. It is for this reason that people with hypertension and other circulatory disorders are susceptible to haemafacial spasm.

Facial hemispasm develops usually against the background of the following problems:

• Long reception of hormonal preparations and antibiotics;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Use of heavy narcotic drugs;
• Injuries with further damage to the subcortical areas of the brain;
• Tumors in the trunk of the brain.

By the way, facial hemispasm of the cause can have hereditary. The defeat of the nerves of the face in many cases occurs in those whose relatives have suffered from a similar ailment. Such a pathology often has a permanent character, so any facial irritations can lead to muscle cramps. For example, eating, sudden changes in temperature, coughing and too loud sounds.

It should be remembered that facial hemispasm is a disease caused by nervous disorders. When the regularity of seizures increases, it means that the pathology continues to develop, which quite often affects the general well-being of the patient.

Facial hemispasm: symptoms

The onset of classical hemifacial spasm is accompanied by periodic convulsions of the circular muscles of the eye. Attacks of pinching the nerve with the development of the disease begin to increase, and the area of the lesion expands. When Brissot's disease covers completely one side of the face, the eye stops seeing. Atypical hemispasm of the facial nerve, on the contrary, begins with contraction of the musculature of the cheek, gradually shifting to the eye.

Among the main symptoms of hemi-official spasm, there are such characteristic signs as:

• Involuntary convulsions, which do not pass even during sleep.
• The onset of an attack due to stress, panic fear, overwork and overexcitation.
• On the affected side of the face are expressively traced nasolabial folds.
• The musculature of the face is greatly weakened, the eyelids can not fully close, and when the eye is closed, the eyebrow rises.

In addition, with hemispasm, the face becomes asymmetric: in the half where the disease provokes muscle contraction, the nose wing and the corner of the mouth are elevated.

Diagnostic measures

The doctor makes such a diagnosis based on the clinical picture of the patient's illness and complaints. Facial hemispasm, the photo of which is presented below, begins, as a rule, from the lower eyelid. Over time, the pathology passes to the muscles of the neck, cheeks and chin. At first, the disease has clonic convulsions, which, as the disease develops, acquire a tonic-clonic character.

Instrumental methods of examination help to confirm or exclude the presence of a neoplasm in the cranial cavity where the nerve root of the nerve is located. Magnetic resonance tomography is performed to detect the proximity of the facial nerve and vessel. True, neurovascular conflict in people with this pathology is not always revealed.

Facial hemispasm: treatment

Such ailment is treated in many ways. The choice of the method depends on the factors that trigger the seizures, as well as the nature of the manifestation of a nerve disorder. The most effective treatment can be selected only by a doctor after performing diagnostic tests and detecting potential contraindications to various medications.

The hemispasm of the facial nerve, which is treated in several ways, will be eliminated only if all the recommendations of the doctor are fulfilled. For the symptomatic therapy of hemi-official spasm, botulinum toxin is often used today. It is recommended to enter it 2-3 times a year. The result of such injections persists up to 4 months, so patients have to repeat them regularly.

Psychological therapy also helps to save a person from involuntary muscle spasms, especially when their appearance provokes various emotional and stressful factors. Specialists at their sessions teach patients methods of self-control so that they can avoid negative symptoms and reduce stress.

Another hemispasm is treated with electrostimulation. Such treatment is aimed at improving blood circulation in the musculature of the face, which helps to reduce the level of pathological excitability. Moreover, this procedure contributes to the production of hormones, which favorably affect the facial muscles.

Medication Therapy

In most cases, facial hemispasm is eliminated with special medicines. These drugs have a soothing effect on the roots of the facial nerves. Treatment with medications involves taking medications to prevent inflammation and improve blood circulation.

Elimination of hemispasm by surgical means

Often, with an involuntary contraction of the facial muscles, doctors resort to a neurosurgical operation. During the surgical intervention, a Teflon protector is implanted in the area between the facial nerves and the blood vessels. Thus, it turns out to prevent compression of nerve endings, as a result of which the disease can not develop. This operation is performed by patients under 40 years old.

Treating hemispasm of a person with folk remedies

But before proceeding to such treatment, it is necessary to understand that traditional medicine will not completely cure the disease, it will only help to alleviate the condition. In addition, you should consult a specialist.

An effective tool in the fight against involuntary convulsions of the face is a compress with lemon juice and garlic. To prepare it, you must first clean and grind several denticles of this plant, then pour the resulting mush with water.

This tool is cooked for 5 minutes, then it should be cooled and add the juice of lemon, mix everything well and put it on gauze. The compress is applied to the affected area on the face before warming, then a new mass is prepared. A similar procedure is repeated until the unpleasant symptoms of the disease disappear.

To treat a haemafacial spasm you can try the root of an althaea. Several spoons of this component should be poured with boiled water and leave to infuse for 8 hours. In the resulting product, the cloth is wetted and applied to the face, paper and a woolen scarf are placed on top of it. It is better to apply a compress in the evening before going to bed. The procedure should be carried out about 7 days.

Not bad helps to fight with this pathology of a compress from a white bulb. First of all, it must be passed through a meat grinder, and spread the resulting mixture between layers of napkins and attach to the problem area.

Getting rid of gemispazma another way

If painful sensations disturb the involuntary contractions of the facial muscles, then the leaves of the geranium should be used. They must be laid on a small piece of linen cloth and pressed to the affected area. The procedure should be at least 3 times a day, constantly replacing the leaves with fresh ones. Signs of hemispasm in a few hours should decrease.

Nutrition for muscle cramps

Therapy prescribed by a doctor is more effective if the patient adheres to the diet. It is advisable in this disease to eat more foods rich in magnesium, B vitamins and potassium. Such components reduce the risk of hemispasm development. It is also recommended to limit or completely exclude coffee and fatty foods from the diet.