FAQ
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Facial palsy happens when the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) can't communicate properly with facial muscles, leading to weakness or loss of movement. This often affects one side of the face, making it hard to close an eye, smile, or drink. It can be both mentally and physically challenging. If left untreated, can lead to long term consequences.
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Bell's Palsy: The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is still uncertain, though it’s often linked to the herpes simplex virus or an inflammatory process. It's commonly used as a general term for facial palsy.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS): Caused by the herpes zoster virus, RHS is like "shingles of the facial nerve." Symptoms include ear or mouth sores, sensitivity to sound and light, balance issues, lingering pain, taste changes, and headaches.
Zoster Sine Herpete (ZSH): Also caused by the zoster virus, ZSH presents similar symptoms to RHS but without the visible rash.
Additional causes of facial palsy:
Nerve damage from surgeries, like removing an acoustic neuroma or parotid tumor.
Cancerous tumors in the face, head, or neck.
Bacterial infections, including Lyme Disease or middle ear infections.
Neurological condition like Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Traumatic injury to the facial nerve.
Birth trauma.
Congenital conditions.
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Facial palsy often presents with facial weakness or paralysis on one side, dizziness, dry mouth or eye, and trouble tasting. Symptoms can appear quickly, within 24-48 hours. Many people feel severe pain behind the ear or in the back of the head before facial weakness starts (prodromal symptoms). Since these signs can also indicate other serious conditions, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention.
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Pamela specializes in treating all stages of facial palsy, from early onset to long-term cases. Early intervention is vital and involves eye-care education, understanding the condition, beginning home exercises, and, if needed, referring specialists. Personalized treatment plans include a thorough approach to coordinating care and ensuring communication with primary care provider and specialists, medication management, neurotoxin modulators, and neuromuscular re-education.
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The recovery time for facial palsy can vary from weeks to years, depending on the cause. An accurate diagnosis at the onset is crucial, as it guides the treatment plan. Diagnostic tools may include an MRI, CT scan, blood tests, hearing and vision tests, vestibular assessments, and a thorough physical exam.
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Nurse Practitioners can order tests and medical imaging, prescribe medications and make referrals to specialists.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice nurses who have completed master's level or higher education. NPs provide holistic person-centred care, which means focusing equally on health and illness, disease prevention, wellness, and patient education.
NPs are regulated health professionals who work with their own license. NPs do not work under the license or direction of a physician or any other health professionals.
For more information, you can go to British Columbia College for Nurse Practitioners (BCCNM). https://www.bccnm.ca
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For clinic visits, many extended health care plans and health spending accounts offer reimbursement for Nurse Practitioner services and the Canada Revenue Agency recognizes NPs as medical practitioners eligible for the medical expense tax credit.
Check with your insurance provider whether the visit is covered. The Facial Recovery clinic will provide detailed receipts for your reimbursement claims.
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