Effective treatment of facial paralysis and mouth distortion using traditional medicine

Ms. Le Thi Nghia (28 years old) in Tan Son commune, Quynh Luu is in the last month of pregnancy. After waking up, she noticed unusual symptoms on her face, but it was not until the second day that she felt clear symptoms when her mouth was crooked to one side, she could not whistle, blow fire, had difficulty chewing, food stuck on one side of her jaw, water flowed out of one corner of her mouth when drinking, her tongue was slurred, she could not close her eyes, and her eyes often watered...

Doctors at Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital prescribed “non-drug” treatment for Ms. Le Thi Nghia. Photo: Duc Anh

Ms. Nghia went to the district hospital for examination, then was transferred to Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital. Here, doctors examined and diagnosed her with peripheral facial nerve paralysis. Because she was pregnant, she was prescribed “non-drug” treatment methods including acupuncture, moxibustion, infrared light therapy, acupressure massage...

This is a treatment regimen for pregnant women, so it should be noted not to prick or press on acupuncture points that affect the fetus (for example, Hegu point); do not use drugs that are metabolized through the placenta.

Thanks to that, after more than 10 days of active treatment, Ms. Nghia's condition has improved. Ms. Nghia shared: "At first, I was very worried that the treatment would affect the fetus, but after nearly two weeks of being treated by doctors without using drugs, I have improved a lot; my mouth is less crooked, chewing and swallowing is easier, my eyes are closed... My health is progressing well, and the fetus is also safe, so I am very reassured."

Doctors pay special attention to treatment regimens for pregnant women, so as not to affect the mother and fetus. Photo: Duc Anh

As for the little girl Ho Ha An (27 months old) in Quynh Thang commune, Quynh Luu, while playing with her grandmother, she showed signs of a crooked mouth, then her eyes could not close, tears flowed continuously, and food spilled out... Realizing the abnormality of the baby, the family immediately took her to the district hospital for examination and was diagnosed with peripheral facial nerve palsy. Immediately after, the baby was transferred to Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital for treatment.

Baby Ha An was treated with traditional medicine combined with physical therapy and rehabilitation, bringing high efficiency. Photo: Thuy Linh

According to the treating doctor, Ha An's case was treated only 2-3 days after the onset of the disease, this is the "golden time" to cure the disease 100%. Therefore, after only 8 days of treatment with traditional medicine methods (electroacupuncture, moxibustion, hydroacupuncture, massage, acupressure) and using traditional medicine, combined with physical therapy - rehabilitation (electric pulse, infrared light), Ha An's case has shown good progress such as: mouth is less crooked, can eat rice, tears no longer flow, eyes close more tightly.

Peripheral facial nerve palsy is a common disease in all ages, the disease is not contagious. However, during the change of seasons, patients with this disease tend to increase.

According to the Acupuncture Department - Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital, every day the department receives about 10% of patients with facial nerve palsy; double the number compared to the summer. Among the patients with facial nerve palsy, over 70% have peripheral facial nerve palsy.

According to Doctor CKI Duong Thi Thuong - Acupuncture Department, Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital,There are many causes of peripheral facial nerve palsy such as: cold, otitis media, shingles and trauma... Of which, 80% of patients have the disease due to cold.

In order to improve the effectiveness of treatment for patients, Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital has been applying and increasingly perfecting the methods of treating peripheral facial nerve palsy, using traditional medicine combined with physical therapy and rehabilitation. Accordingly, after being diagnosed, patients will be treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, hydroacupuncture, infrared light therapy, electric pulses, electromagnetic fields, paraffin candles, massage, acupressure and use traditional medicine produced by the hospital....

In recent times, the hospital has applied traditional medicine treatment methods, which are safe and highly effective for many people suffering from this disease. For patients who are detected early (within the first 2-3 days), the treatment time is 3-4 weeks; the prognosis for complete recovery is over 90%.

Doctor Thuong recommends that the effective way to prevent the disease is for each person to establish a regular lifestyle, eat nutritious food, and keep the body warm in cold weather. When there are signs of the disease, it is necessary to go to a medical facility immediately for timely treatment.

If the disease is left untreated for a long time (after 2-3 months), it will prolong the treatment time, slow recovery and may leave some sequelae such as: crooked mouth, eyes not closing properly, watery eyes...; if left untreated for a long time, it can cause complications of eye diseases due to lack of protection, affecting aesthetics and quality of life.

The hospital has applied traditional medicine treatment methods, which are safe and highly effective for many people suffering from this disease. Photo: Duc Anh

Effective application of traditional medicine combined with physical therapy - rehabilitation to treat facial nerve palsy is one of the key professional development orientations, in the direction of promoting the strengths of traditional medicine combined with modern medicine, contributing to the brand of Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital; in order to meet the needs of better and better patient health care.