Inflammation of the facial nerves

Inflammation of a facial nerve is usually a very painful affair that requires quick treatment. Inflammation of a nerve in general is called neuritis, and the resulting nerve pain is called neuralgia. Neuralgia can also be caused by non-inflammatory processes.

Inflammation can affect various facial nerves. Depending on the area that supplies (innervates) the nerves with pain and tactile sensation, the pain occurs in different regions and can provide information about the location of the inflammation. The causes of an inflammation of the facial nerve are manifold.

As a rule, stress is not the only cause. But physical and psychological stress can be triggers for pain attacks and other complaints. Stress can worsen the symptoms.

This can be explained by various mechanisms that take place during stress reactions in our body. Stress causes the release of various hormones and substances. These act in our body as messenger substances.

These messengers lead to various processes in our body. The cells communicate via these messenger substances. Among other things, changes in various vessels occur.

As a result, substance P is probably released in the course of an inflammation of the facial nerve. Substance P activates the pain receptors. The brain receives the sensory perception of pain.

It is also possible that stress-related vascular changes compress branches of the facial nerve. In this way, the pain can be triggered. Furthermore, it is possible that nerve branches are damaged by compression.

The damage to the nerve, in turn, leads to overactivation of the pain center in the brain. Increased sodium channels are built into the brain. This leads to a faster and more sensitive perception of pain.

In addition, the severe pain attacks trigger psychological stress. As a result, more substances and hormones are released, which promote the irritation of the branches of the facial nerve. Colloquially, a vicious circle develops. This is also called circulus vitiosus in technical terminology. You can find more information about the symptoms of stress here.