Definition of Facial paralysis:

Facial paralysis occurs when a person is no longer able to move some or all of the muscles on one side of the face.

Common Causes:

Facial paralysis is almost always caused by:

• Damage or swelling of the facial nerve, which carries signals from the brain to the muscles of the face
• Damage to the area of the brain that sends signals to the muscles of the face

In people who are otherwise healthy, facial paralysis is often due to Bell's palsy, a condition in which the facial nerve becomes inflamed.

Stroke may cause facial paralysis. With a stroke, other muscles on one side of the body may also be involved.

Facial paralysis that is due to a brain tumor usually develops slowly and causes headaches, seizures, or hearing loss.

In newborns, facial paralysis may be caused by trauma during birth.

Other causes include:

• Tumor that presses on the facial nerve
• Infection
• Lyme disease
• Sarcoidosis