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Symptoms and signs
The mouth sags and is drawn towards the normal side while smiling producing a grimace
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Food gets trapped between gums and cheek
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Drinks and saliva escapes from side of the mouth
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Difficulty in speaking (dysarthia)
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Intolerance to loud or high-pitched sounds (hyperacusis)
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Watery or dry eyes due to failure of eye closure
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Ectropion (Sagging & turning out of lower lid)
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Inability to wrinkle forehead
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Inability to whistle or blow the cheek
Approximately 80% of patients recover within 2-6 weeks. Evidence of denervation after 10 days indicates that there has been axonal degeneration, meaning there may be a delay (upto 3 months) before regeneration occurs, and that may remain incomplete due to development of facial synkinesis (e.g. Eye blinking is accompanied by synchronous upturning of mouth). The presence of incomplete paralysis in the first week is the most favorable. | |