Facial paralysis occurs due to nerve damage. The facial muscles will become weak as a result of this.

Facial paralysis can be sudden (like with Bell's palsy), or it can happen gradually. It can affect one or both sides of your face. 

The signs will be visible. Your face will droop, and you will have difficulty speaking, blinking, swallowing, and communicating through facial expressions. You may not be able to retain the saliva in your mouth, which will then start pouring out through your mouth. You will also not be able to close the eye on the affected side.

In most cases, you will recover from facial paralysis even without treatment. However, treatment can speed up your recovery. 

There are many causes behind facial paralysis. These are:

Bell's palsy - It causes inflammation of the facial nerve. It will make the muscles nearby to droop. We still do not know the exact reason behind this disease. It may be due to a viral infection of the facial nerve. 

Stroke - This is one of the more severe reasons for facial paralysis. During a stroke, the nerves that control your facial muscles and facial nerves get damaged in the brain. 

A skull fracture or any other injury to the face 

Head or neck tumor 

Lyme disease - This is a bacterial disease that is transmitted to humans by a tick bite.

Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome - This is a viral disease that affects the facial nerve

Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis

While we do not know the reason, we know that some factors increase your risk. These include

Family history of the disease 

History of chemotherapy 

Pregnancy - There could be birth trauma that could be a risk factor to facial paralysis. 

Autoimmune diseases

Smoking

Hypertension

Weakened immune system 

The symptoms of Bell's palsy are clear and easy to detect. It includes

Drooling 

Slurred speech 

Altered sense of taste 

Drooping of the mouth particularly to one side

Difficulty eating or drinking 

Not able to blink or close the eye

Your doctor will ask you to move your facial muscles by lifting your eyebrow, frowning, or smiling. It will help the doctor diagnose your condition. 

If the cause is due to infections, tumors, etc., the signs may not be clear. In such cases, you will have to do some tests such as electromyography(EMG), imaging scans, and blood tests. 

EMG records the electrical activity of muscle tissues.

Ayurveda is a holistic medical system that has been in practice for more than 3000 years. 

All of us have three doshas or energy forces (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). These forces have different functions. 

Vata dosha, having elements of air and space, controls all the circulation in your body.

Pitta dosha, of fire and water, controls the digestion and metabolism.

Kapha dosha, of water and earth, manages lubrication and provides structure to our body.

 

These doshas have to be in balance for you to be healthy. If they are not in balance, you will have diseases.

As per Ayurveda, the following are the reasons for facial paralysis.

Speaking loudly for a long time

Chewing hard food items

Excessive laughing

Excessive yawning

Lifting heavy weights

Improper posture (sitting, lying down)

Injury to your face

Sleeping during day time

Injury to vital areas 

Too much of alcohol

Suppression of natural urges

All of these factors above disturbs the Vata dosha. The disturbed Vata affects the nerves and veins in your face. It weakens the function of these nerves causing your face to turn suddenly in one direction. 

Ardita is the name of a disease in old texts, which is like facial paralysis. 

The main aim of the treatment is to

Regain the strength of your facial muscles

Improve the blood circulation

Rejuvenate/nourish your nerves

Prevent repeat episodes

 

The line of treatment will be as per your body type and severity of the condition. Your doctor will decide that after a personal consultation.

The treatment methods will include 

Abhyanga - massage using warm medicated oil.

Application of medicated oil on the head.

Shirovasthi - pouring of medicated oil on your head to make an oil pool and to retain the oil over your head for some time, which helps in soothing the nerves.

Nasya - administration of medicines through your nose. It clears any blocks in the nasal cavity

Other relevant panchakarma therapies. These are to detoxify and to remove the causative factors.

 

The treatment protocol will control the food and activities of the patient.

You will have to be in the hospital for about 21 days for the treatment.

The patient might require to continue the medication even after the panchakarma therapy. Various Kashayams are found effective in such conditions.

Common medications used to treat Bell's palsy are:

Corticosteroids - Anti-inflammatory agents can help reduce the swelling of facial nerves. 

Antiviral drugs, along with steroids, are helpful to some people who have Bell's palsy. 

 

Some of these medicines can lead to major side effects. Your doctor is the best guide for your medicines. You should follow the doctor's advice here.

If not treated in time, in some cases, there can be complications. These include 

Abnormal regrowth of nerve fibers- Your facial nerves may cause unwanted actions, such as closing the eye while you smile

Partial or complete blindness - In many cases, you will not be able to close your eyes. It can lead to severe issues that affect your vision.

Irreversible damage to your facial nerve - Your face structure may have some permanent changes.