What is Hemifacial Spasm

Hemifacial Spasm can be defined as a neuromuscular disorder. It is characterized by frequent involuntary contractions of the muscles on one side of the face. Mostly occurs in middle aged or elderly women.

Causes of Hemifacial Spasm

Causes are unknown but current medical opinion suggests that Hemifacial spasm is caused by a blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve.

Signs and Symptoms of Hemifacial Spasm

In most of the cases the spasm starts near the eye and growths down the face. In few cases It begins near the chin and growths upward. Usually, the twitching is not painful, but it can be embarrassing and interfere with normal expression and vision. The internal factor is that, the muscles surrounding the eye may be affected by muscle spasms. The spasms may then spread to other muscles on the same side of the face (particularly the muscles of the jaw and mouth). Some sufferers experience a clicking sound in the ear on the affected side each time there is a muscle spasm. In Hemifacial, left side of the face mostly affected than the right. Hemifacial spasm is usually less variable than many focal dystonias, although some persons do find that their condition worsens when they are under stress and improves when they lie down.

Treatment of Hemifacial Spasm

Treatment of Hemifacial Spasm includes injecting botulinum toxin into the affected muscles. In some cases surgery may also required.