Risk of facial paralysis in hot and humid weather.

After soaking in a hot tub for about 2-3 hours, the male student returned to his bedroom and turned on the air conditioner. The next morning, upon waking up, he noticed his mouth couldn't close completely, he had difficulty drinking water, water leaked out when brushing his teeth, he couldn't smile, his eyes couldn't close completely, and one eyebrow wouldn't move.

This is the situation described by the male student when he went for a check-up at Bach Mai Hospital ( Hanoi ). There, the patient was diagnosed with peripheral facial nerve paralysis (also known as facial paralysis).

According to Dr. Hoang Duy Luan, Department of Traditional Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital, the patient was prescribed modern medicine treatment using anti-inflammatory drugs combined with traditional medicine including acupuncture, massage, acupressure, and cupping. After a short period of treatment, the condition improved significantly, facial muscle movement recovered better, and eating and daily activities became easier.

Do not set the air conditioner too cold.

According to Dr. Hoang Duy Luan, facial nerve paralysis (cranial nerve VII) is a fairly common condition that can occur at any age. Many people still misunderstand it, believing that the condition only occurs in winter, and that it's impossible to get "cold" in the hot summer weather. In reality, constantly moving between hot and cold environments, going from hot outdoors into an air-conditioned room, or having cold air blowing directly on the face, head, or neck can cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to ischemia and nerve inflammation, resulting in facial paralysis.

Combining traditional medicine methods in the treatment of patients with facial nerve paralysis (cranial nerve VII).

PHOTO: NGUYEN HA

To minimize the risk of facial paralysis in hot weather, people should avoid setting air conditioners too cold. Avoid having cold drafts blowing directly on your face, head, and neck. Do not shower late at night. Dry your hair thoroughly after washing. Limit sudden temperature changes and take precautions when moving between hot and cold areas to avoid thermal shock. Exercise regularly. Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep. Maintain a relaxed state of mind and avoid prolonged stress.

Early treatment leads to effective recovery.

According to Dr. Luan, although the disease is not life-threatening, delayed treatment can leave long-lasting sequelae such as facial muscle stiffness, persistent crooked mouth, reduced sense of taste, and affect appearance and psychology…

Peripheral facial paralysis, if detected early during the "golden period" and treated correctly, has a high chance of recovery. Depending on the case, patients may receive medical treatment combined with traditional medicine such as acupuncture, cupping, and massage to optimize effectiveness.

Dr. Luan advises: The case of the male student mentioned above shows that facial paralysis can occur in the summer, especially when the temperature changes suddenly, due to the habit of sleeping in overly cold air-conditioned rooms, and even healthy people can experience unexpected events. Maintain good adaptation to ambient temperatures, avoiding large temperature differences between the room and the outside during hot weather. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any unusual signs: facial asymmetry; mouth drooping to one side; loss of forehead wrinkles; inability to close the paralyzed eye completely; water easily spilling out of the corner of the mouth when drinking; slurred speech; inability to whistle or puff out cheeks; possibly accompanied by ear pain or tinnitus; decreased taste sensation in the front of the tongue…

Do not attempt self-treatment such as scraping the skin, applying herbal remedies, or delaying treatment at home to avoid unfortunate consequences. In particular, patients need to be correctly diagnosed for the cause of facial paralysis, as even with similar symptoms, different causes require timely and appropriate treatment.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguy-co-liet-mat-khi-thoi-tiet-oi-nong-185260504174056514.htm