Why is the cheek numb and what to do?
The content of the article:
- Left cheek or right cheek grows numb: causes not associated with the disease
-
Cheek numbness as a symptom of the disease
- Transient ischemic attack
- Osteochondrosis
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Migraine
-
What to do
- Mode change
- Drug treatment
- Video
There are many reasons why a cheek is numb. Numbness is not always associated with any medical condition. More often, the phenomenon occurs for a short time, due to an uncomfortable position of the head, prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position, during an attack of fear or panic. Less often, the cheek becomes numb due to damage to the nervous tissue or vascular pathology. If the symptom occurs frequently, you should see your doctor to determine the cause and prescribe treatment.
Most often, cheek numbness does not require treatment, but there may be exceptions
Left cheek or right cheek grows numb: causes not associated with the disease
Facial numbness is not always associated with any pathology. Especially if episodes of sensory impairment are short-lived and rare.
Parts of the face can go numb due to the wrong position of the head, with prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position, general hypothermia, during a period of strong emotional shock. In these cases, you should not worry, numbness does not pose a danger to the human body.
Common causes of numbness that are not related to illness:
- Incorrect work and rest regime. Parts of the face can go numb if the head is in one position for a long time. For example, when working at a computer, reading, if there are no breaks during work.
- An uncomfortable pillow. An uncomfortable position of the head during sleep can lead to compression of nerves and blood vessels. In the morning, this will manifest itself in the form of numbness in different parts of the face.
- Panic attacks. The cheeks can go numb during panic attacks, during a period of severe shock. Numbness goes away along with other symptoms of nervous tension.
Cheek numbness as a symptom of the disease
Cheek numbness can be not only a harmless reaction to an incorrect head position, but also a symptom of a serious illness. Most often, numbness and tingling (paresthesia) occurs due to neurological or vascular pathology.
Transient ischemic attack
Sudden facial numbness may indicate poor circulation to the brain. This is a dangerous condition called transient ischemic attack (TIA). With this pathology, the brain suffers due to the fact that a sufficient amount of blood and oxygen is not delivered through the vessels.
Symptoms of TIA include:
- dizziness, accompanied by nystagmus, nausea, vomiting;
- speech disorder;
- numbness of the face and limbs;
- impaired limb mobility (paresis);
- lack of coordination;
- memory loss.
A transient ischemic attack is also called a microstroke. The difference from a stroke is that the changes in the brain are reversible.
Osteochondrosis
The cause of paresthesias can be osteochondrosis - a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the spine. If the cervical region is affected, then the unpleasant sensations are localized in the face area - cheeks, lips, chin, tongue go numb.
The main symptoms of osteochondrosis include:
- tingling, burning, numbness in the face and neck;
- dizziness, noise in the head;
- pain in the cervical spine, arms.
Symptoms arise from compression of the vessels and nerves that are located near the spine.
Trigeminal neuralgia
Sensory innervation of the cheeks is carried out by the branches of the trigeminal nerve. Therefore, if the left or right cheek becomes numb, a nerve injury may be the cause.
The cheek area is innervated by two branches of the trigeminal nerve:
- The maxillary nerve - provides sensitivity to the upper cheeks as well as the upper lip.
- Mandibular nerve - innervates the lower part of the cheeks, as well as the lower lip, chin.
The trigeminal nerve is paired, so the lesion can be unilateral - only on the left or right side.
How is trigeminal neuralgia manifested:
- pain in the places of innervation - the cheek, lips, eyes hurt;
- numbness, tingling in the affected area;
- burning.
Neuralgia can be caused by trauma, inflammation, and dental diseases.
Migraine
Other neurological diseases, such as migraines, can also cause paresthesia. The main manifestation of migraine is severe headaches. Before an attack, a complex of symptoms (aura) may occur:
- dizziness;
- intolerance to bright light and loud sounds;
- nausea;
- drowsiness;
- change in mood.
A headache with migraine is often localized in one half of the head, intensifies when exposed to any stimuli. The duration of an attack ranges from several minutes to several hours.
What to do
To get rid of unpleasant sensations, you need to identify their cause.
If numbness is a symptom of the disease, treatment is selected depending on the etiology.
Mode change
The following recommendations will help get rid of an unpleasant symptom:
- normalization of the work and rest routine (take short breaks every 45 minutes of work);
- physiotherapy;
- collar massage;
- the right pillow and mattress.
Compliance with these recommendations will save you from sensitivity disorders if there is no organic reason.
Drug treatment
Treatment consists in eliminating the cause, that is, the underlying disease. Symptomatic therapy is not performed.
| Disease | Treatment methods |
| Transient ischemic attack |
The main goal of TIA treatment is to restore normal blood flow. For this, the following drugs can be used: Antiplatelet agents (Aspirin, Clopidogrel); · Indirect anticoagulants; · Infusion therapy. It is also important to treat comorbidities that increase the risk of stroke - hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes mellitus. |
| Trigeminal neuralgia |
For treatment, antiepileptic drugs are used - Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine. Additionally: · Anti-inflammatory drugs; Pain relievers; · Sanitation of the oral cavity. |
| Osteochondrosis |
Treatment of osteochondrosis is complex: · Drug therapy, which includes anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, B vitamins; · physiotherapy; · Fixation of the cervical spine (Shants collar). |
| Migraine |
Drug treatment includes the following drugs: Analgesics (Solpadein, Ibuprofen); Serotonin inhibitors (Naratriptan, Sumatriptan); Beta-blockers (Metoprolol, Propranolol); Antidepressants (amitriptyline). |
Video
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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