Great Falls MT Neurologist Doctors - Facial Nerve Problems and Bell's Palsy Causes by MedicineNet.com

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Facial Nerve Problems Center - Great Falls, MT

Great Falls Neurologist Doctors for Facial Nerve Problems

Type of Physician: Neurologist

What is a Neurologist?

A certification by the Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; practitioners focus on the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease or impaired function of the brain, spinal cord, muscles and nervous system, as well as the blood vessels that relate to these structures. The neurologist is often the primary physician but also serves as a consultant to other physicians and may render all levels of care, including the continuing care of outpatients and/or inpatients. The neurologist will often perform and interpret tests that relate to the nervous system or muscles.

Specialty: Neurology

Common Name:

Neurologist Doctors in Great Falls *

Northern Plains Pathologists
Thomas E Carey
500 15th Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 455-2021

Advanced Neurology & Counseling Specialists
Dennis W Dietrich
400 15th Ave S
STE 206
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 727-3720

Advanced Neurology & Counseling Specialists
William Henning
400 15th Ave S
STE 206
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 727-3720

Great Falls Clinic Central
Hal G Astle
1400 29th St S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 454-2171

Great Falls Clinic Central
William H Labunetz
1400 29th St S
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406) 454-2171

Medical Specialists of Helena
Mark A Dietz
2525 E Broadway St
Maria Dean Bldg STE 200
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 457-4343

Medical Specialists of Helena
Thomas D Mulgrew
2525 E Broadway St
Maria Dean Bldg STE 200
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 457-4343

Great Falls, Montana

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Facial Nerve Problems and Bell's Palsy

What is the facial nerve?

The facial nerve is a nerve which controls the muscles on the side of the face. It allows us to show expression, smile, cry, and wink. Injury to the facial nerve causes a socially and psychologically devastating physical defect; treatment may require extensive rehabilitation or multiple procedures.

The facial nerve is the seventh of the twelve cranial nerves. Everyone has two facial nerves, one for each side of the face. The facial nerve travels with the hearing nerve (the eighth cranial nerve) as it travels in and around the structures of the middle ear. It exits the front of the ear at the stylomastoid foramen (a hole in the skull base), where it then travels through the parotid gland. In the parotid gland it divides into many branches which provide motor function for the various muscles and glands of the head and neck.

What are symptoms of a facial nerve problem?

Facial nerve problems may result in facial muscle paralysis, weakness, or twitching of the face; dryness of the eye or the mouth; or alteration of taste on the affected side. However, the finding of one of these symptoms does not necessarily imply a specific facial nerve problem; your physician needs to make a careful investigation in order to make a precise diagnosis.

What conditions affect the facial nerve?

There are numerous causes of facial nerve disorder:

  • Trauma: such as birth trauma, skull base fractures, facial injuries, middle ear injuries, or surgical trauma.
  • Nervous system disease: including Opercular syndrome, Millard-Gubler syndrome.
  • Infection: of the ear or face, or herpes zoster of the facial nerve (Ramsey-Hunt syndrome).
  • Metabolic: diabetes mellitus or pregnancy.
  • Tumors: acoustic neuroma, schwannoma,...

Recommended Reading Related to Facial Nerve Problems and Bell's Palsy

CT Scan (Computerized Tomography) »

CT scan facts

  • CT scanning adds X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views of anatomy.
  • CT scanning can identify normal and abnormal structures and be used to guide procedures.
  • CT scanning is painless.
  • Iodine-containing contrast material is sometimes used in CT scanning. Patients with a history of allergy to iodine or contrast materials should notify their physicians and radiology staff.

What is a CT scan?

Computerized (or computed) tomography, and often formerly referred to as computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan, is an X-ray procedure that combines many X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs and structures of the body. Computerized tomography is more commonly known by its abbreviated names, CT ...

Emergency Contact for Great Falls

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Great Falls Hospitals *

Benefis Healthcare West Campus
500 15th Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59403
(406)455-5000

Benefis Healthcare East Campus
1101 26th St
Great Falls, MT 59405
(406)455-5000

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