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Bell's Palsy / Facial Paralysis
Effective Treatment of Bell's Palsy with Botulinum Toxin Type A in Leeds.
The Kirei Clinic in Leeds is one of the few medical aesthetic clinics who have experience in treating Bell’s Palsy and facial paralysis.
There are numerous treatment options available today to help patients regain facial muscle function, and one such option involves the use of Botulinum Toxin Type A injections. Botulinum toxin is a protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which functions by blocking the electrical impulses responsible for triggering facial muscle contractions. These injections can be administered to the affected side, the unaffected side, or both, depending on the patient's specific needs.
What is Bell’s palsy?
Bell's palsy is a sudden, unexplained weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of the face. It is believed to be primarily caused by viral infections, such as the herpes simplex virus, which can lead to inflammation and compression of the facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve). The condition usually comes on suddenly, causing one side of the face to droop, and it can affect a person's ability to control facial expressions, close the eye, or smile.
What is facial paralysis?
Facial paralysis, on the other hand, is a more general term that encompasses a range of conditions resulting in the loss of muscle function in the face. Bell's palsy is a specific type of facial paralysis, typically affecting one side of the face, and it often resolves on its own with or without treatment, while other forms of facial paralysis can be caused by a variety of factors, including neurological conditions, trauma, tumors, or Bell's palsy, and they may have different underlying causes and treatment approaches.
In summary, Bell's palsy is a type of sudden, temporary facial paralysis, and it is often used interchangeably with facial paralysis. However, facial paralysis can refer to any condition resulting in the loss of facial muscle function and can be caused by various factors beyond Bell's palsy.
How Does This Treatment with Botulinum Toxin Type A Work?
Managing Facial Synkinesis: Synkinesis, often occurring after Bell's palsy, leads to involuntary facial movements, resulting in symptoms like facial twitching, muscle tightness, and spasms. Botulinum toxin addresses synkinesis by reducing the activity of facial muscles on the unaffected side of the face, allowing the overactive muscles to undergo a process of retraining in Bell's palsy cases.
Restoring Facial Symmetry: When one side of the face is weakened due to Bell's palsy, the muscles on the unaffected side work harder and become stronger, leading to facial imbalance and asymmetry. Botulinum Toxin injections in specific areas of the unaffected side help restore balance, enhancing overall facial appearance.
Benefits of Botulinum Toxin Injections for Facial Palsy
Botulinum toxin injections offer a minimally invasive approach to restore facial symmetry in cases of chronic or potentially acute Bell's palsy. The advantages of this treatment include:
- Relief from pain and symptoms
- Restoration of facial symmetry and comfort
- Quick, downtime-free procedure
- Noticeable reduction in muscle action within 12 to 18 hours post-injection, with maximum results achieved within the first week
If this is something you would like further information on, why not book a consultation with us?