Facial Paralysis Tests & Treatments at University of Colorado Hospital
Tests for Facial Paralysis
Tests for facial paralysis often begin with a blood screening that will include:
- Complete blood count
- Blood sugar levels
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, a measure of inflammation)
- Lyme test for Lyme disease
Your doctor may order other tests to examine the muscles, tissues and bone structure of the head and neck, including:
Computerized tomography (CT)
A scan of the head.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head to produce detailed x-ray pictures
Electromyography
Electromyography to measure the health of the nerves controlling the muscles
Treatments for Facial Paralysis
Your doctor may be able to treat your facial paralysis with medications, including:
Steroids
Steroids to reduce the inflammation in the facial nerve
Antiviral medications
Antiviral medications to stop the replication viruses that may be causing the paralysis
Botulinum toxin (a protein) injections
Botulinum toxin (a protein) injections to weaken clenched or spasming muscles in the face
Surgical treatments
Nerve decompression
Nerve decompression to relieve pressure on the facial nerve
Nerve repair and grafting
Nerve repair and grafting to reconnect breaks in the facial nerve that are disrupting signals to the muscles in the face
Therapies for Facial Paralysis
Physical therapy can help patients to improve muscular control by retraining the muscles of the face with various exercises.