Q One side of my face suddenly stopped moving, my eye won't close, and a spasm appeared too. Can I come straight to the Korean medicine clinic?
A No. If sudden facial paralysis or facial spasm is accompanied by a severe headache, dizziness, weakness in one arm or leg, or slurred speech, it may be an emergency warning sign of a stroke or brain hemorrhage. Go to the emergency room immediately.
Detailed Answer
Hemifacial spasm typically progresses slowly over months. If sudden onset is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, an immediate visit to the emergency room is needed: severe headache, paralysis or sensory abnormality in one arm or leg, speech difficulty or trouble swallowing, altered consciousness, or double vision (seeing an object as two). These may indicate secondary facial spasm caused by a stroke, brain hemorrhage, or brain tumor, and missing the golden time can have serious consequences for life and function. If there are no emergency symptoms and the spasm is long-standing, you can combine Korean medicine treatment after a neurology consultation.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At the Korean medicine clinic as well, we always check the course of the spasm onset and any accompanying symptoms at the visit, and if a secondary cause is suspected, we recommend a neurology consultation first. Safe differentiation is the starting point of treatment.
Related FAQs
-
Q
Is a complete cure possible with Korean medicine treatment alone, without surgery?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I came because of facial spasm, but my headaches are severe too. Are they related?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I have facial spasm and also hear a sound in my ear. Is it the same cause?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
As an office worker, it's really embarrassing when my face pulls during video calls. Is there a way to reduce it in daily life?
#Lifestyle Management
-
Q
My face pulls more after I sleep. Do my sleeping posture or pillow have an effect?
#Lifestyle Management