Hemifacial spasm causes involuntary painless twitching on one side of the face due to malfunctioning of the seventh cranial nerve, also known as the facial nerve. It causes the muscles on one side of..
Hemifacial spasm causes involuntary painless twitching on one side of the face due to malfunctioning of the seventh cranial nerve, also known as the facial nerve. It causes the muscles on one side of the face to contract. In its mildest form, the condition may cause no more harm other than slight inconvenience. However, in severe cases, the contractions may interfere with vision. In hemifacial spasm, muscles on one side of the face twitch involuntarily, beginning with the eyelid and then spreading to the cheek and mouth. Twitching may be irregular at first but may become frequent afterwards. The spasms may be caused by an abnormally positioned loop of an artery that compresses the facial cranial nerve where it exits the brainstem. Medical experts have suggested that the condition is caused by disturbances within the facial nerve. The disease has two forms - typical and atypical hemifacial spasm. In typical hemifacial spasm, twitching starts in the lower eyelid. It spreads to the whole lid, and then to the orbicularis oris muscle around the lips. The reverse occurs in a typical hemifacial spasm in which twitching starts in the orbicularis oris muscle around the lips, and progresses up to the orbicularis oculi muscle present in the eyelid.
The very first sign of the disease is the movement of muscles in the eyelid and around the eye. It progresses gradually and may be visible in other muscles on the same side of the face, specifically the mouth and jaw. Some people may have a mild form of the disease. The symptoms generally occur on one side of the face, but they can also occur on both sides. Symptoms include:
- Minor twitching of an eyelid, which may cause the eye to close.
- Changes in hearing.
- Pain behind the ear.
- Major spasms on one side of the face that affect both the cheek and mouth.
- Spasms that extend across the face, right up to the chin.
The major cause of hemifacial spasm is the pressure on the facial nerve due to abnormality in the brain. In case of no obvious cause, it is known as idiopathic hemifacial spasm. Other secondary causes that cause damage to the brain may include:
- Vascular compression.
- Brainstem lesions.
- Trauma.
The major risk factors are:
- It is more common in middle aged and elderly women.
- Smoking can be a rare factor associated with it.
There is no known prevention for hemifacial spasm.
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Our superspecialist doctors provide the highest quality of care through a team-based, doctor-led model. Trained at some of the world's most renowned i..... Continue Reading
