Facial Palsy: A face that speak volumes

I haven't forgotten the promise I made in my previous post to talk about possible treatment and diagnosis for BPPV, that I would do, before this week runs out, just stay tuned. While staying tuned, let's check this out something interesting 👇👇

An assumption, if it never happened to you 👇👇

Oohkay, you wake up from bed one morning, ready to face the day, only to discover that one side of your face has decided to go on vacation without you. It's like a comedy skit gone wrong right— only that this time its a condition known as facial palsy. And you are wondering, what in the horror happened? To answer your question, sit-down and let me give you a briefing/analysis on what went wrong

Now that side of your face going on vacation without telling you is called facial paralysis commonly known as facial palsy

Keep reading

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The Unexpected Face-Off

So, what exactly is this "facial palsy" that has chosen you as its unwilling protagonist? Well, uhm, technically, it's a kind of condition (not necessarily a disease, though it might be a secondary presentation to something worse actually) , it causes temporary or permanent weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of your face. It's like playing a game of hide-and-seek with your own expressions—except this time, one side of your face decides to take a nap.

The loss of facial Expressions

When facial palsy strikes, it's like being cast in your very own silent movie. You find yourself unable to fully control your facial movements, resulting in a range of weird expressions. It's like attempting to mimic emotions with only half of your face. Cue, the unexpected winks, lopsided smiles, and raised eyebrows.

Now once facial palsy strikes, Here are some of the quirks and weirdness you might encounter:

• The Slanted Smile: Now this can be terrible! Your smiles become a unique work of art, with one side of your mouth pulling off a dazzling smile while the other side remains stoically unresponsive. It's like attending a party where only half of your face got the memo about having a good time and the other has no idea that a party is even going on

• The Eye-Wink Drama: Blinking becomes a dramatic performance. You might find yourself unintentionally winking at strangers or giving an exaggerated unintentional wink. It's like starring in a secret spy movie, where even the simplest eye movements carry an air of mystery and worry.

• The Expressive Eyebrow: Your eyebrow game reaches new heights. With one eyebrow ready to conquer the world and the other seemingly unaware of the excitement, you become a living embodiment of confusion, surprise, and amusement. It's like having your own personal emoji right on your face.

• The Asymmetrical Speech: Talking becomes a whimsical rhythm of mispronunciations and distorted sounds. Your words may come out with a touch of whimsy. Imagine hosting your own private language party, where every word becomes an adventure in pronunciation.

Now lets quickly look at how this can affect you socially which most of the time no one talks about 👇👇

Dealing with facial palsy can sometimes means wearing a figurative mask that you never asked for. Here's what you might encounter:

• The Unsolicited Pity: A flood of sympathy and well-intentioned but misplaced pity. People might assume you're perpetually sad or that something tragic has befallen you. Everyone assumes there must be hidden tears behind your quirky expressions.

• The Awkward Social Interactions: Social situations can become a wave of misunderstandings. People may misinterpret your facial expressions or struggle to read your emotions. In the end, you master the art of exaggerated gestures to compensate for your muted facial expressions.

Embracing the Comedy of Facial Palsy

Now, you might be wondering, "How can I make the situation far less terrible socially, instead of becoming a social misfit?" Well, my friend, sometimes laughter is the best remedy. So, let's embrace the comedic side of facial palsy and find joy in the midst of the unexpected :

• The Expressive: Embrace your inner artist. Use exaggerated gestures, body language, and vocal inflections to compensate for your facial expressions.

• The Impromptu Charades: Turn everyday conversations into a game of charades. Challenge your friends and family to guess your emotions solely based on your voice and body movements. On the bright side, It's like having your very own charades championship, where you're the reigning champion.

• The One-Sided Party Trick: Showcase your unique facial abilities at parties and social gatherings. Surprise your friends with your asymmetrical smile or the mesmerizing dance of your expressive eyebrow. You'll become the life of the party, and your facial palsy might even inspire others to embrace their quirks. Just saying anyways.

Add more if you have more... yeah!

So, there you have it, I believe, Facial palsy may twist your expressions and challenge your social interactions, but it can also become a source of laughter, resilience, and self-acceptance. Embrace the quirks, and let your lopsided smile become a symbol of your unique identity (now that is temporary at least until you recover full expression of the affected side, and if you do not, just embrace it) Remember, life is too short, so why not find delight in temporary or permanent imperfections?