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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness In Right Cheek Along With Headache And Metallic Taste In Mouth?

My husband is experiencing numbness to his right cheek. When he smiles, his right side doesn't go up as high as his left (but it does go up). Also when he closes his eyes tightly, the right does not go as tight as the left. He has no other symptoms. I am a RN. His pupils are round, equal and reactive to light. He has no numbness or tingling to his extremities. I checked grip strength and had him push and pull against me with both arms and legs. Everything is equal. He does not feel bad nor is his speech slurred. It started with a metallic taste in his mouth earlier today. That went away. He did have a headache earlier but was not wearing his glasses. The headache had dissipated long before his numbness to his cheek. He does have a history of high cholesterol and has been taking crestor 5mg qod. He also takes a 325mg aspirin daily (already had today). He did complain of lower back pain this morning. I don't know if I should take him to an ER tonight and ask for a CT scan. His MD has an urgent care open on the weekends. I wasn't sure if we should wait it opens at 7:30am tomorrow and take him there as long as he doesn't develop any other symptoms.
Mon, 3 Aug 2015
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Dentist,  's  Response

Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns...

As per your complain your husband is developing symptoms of FACIAL NERVE PALSY or BELL'S PALSY over the affected side which is caused either due to some physical trauma causing injury to the nerve or due to infection caused by virus [commonly belonging to herpes family like Varicella Zoster or Epstein Barr Virus] which causes infection and inflammation of the facial nerve which is the 7th Cranial Nerve and supplies muscles of face and injury to this nerve causes paralysis of muscles on affected side..
It leads to numbness, drooping of face on affected side, drooling saliva due to difficulty in keeping lips competent, difficulty in closing the eye,earache and shifting of chin on the unaffected side etc..
You should immediately consult a Physician and get evaluated as he is in the initial stage as the symptoms has just began to occur..
An MRI, CT SCAN and blood tests can help in correct diagnosis of the condition..
For Bell's Palsy for complete recovery of facial muscle activity Steroid therapy like oral intake of Prednisone can relieve and it has a greater action if started within the initial 3 to 4 days when the symptoms begin..
For viral infection antiviral treatment like Acyclovir therapy has to be given..
If there is difficulty in closing the eye you can close it gently by using your fingers and as there is also difficulty in blinking the eye there can be dryness of eye for which you can use artificial tear drops..
Keep you eye covered during sleeping..
Massaging the muscles of face on affected side can help in improving the activity as well as strengthening the muscles..

Hope this information helps..

If you find the answer helpful please give me a Five Star Review and click on found the answer helpful as a token of appreciation..

Thanks and regards..
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..
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What Causes Numbness In Right Cheek Along With Headache And Metallic Taste In Mouth?

Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns... As per your complain your husband is developing symptoms of FACIAL NERVE PALSY or BELL S PALSY over the affected side which is caused either due to some physical trauma causing injury to the nerve or due to infection caused by virus [commonly belonging to herpes family like Varicella Zoster or Epstein Barr Virus] which causes infection and inflammation of the facial nerve which is the 7th Cranial Nerve and supplies muscles of face and injury to this nerve causes paralysis of muscles on affected side.. It leads to numbness, drooping of face on affected side, drooling saliva due to difficulty in keeping lips competent, difficulty in closing the eye,earache and shifting of chin on the unaffected side etc.. You should immediately consult a Physician and get evaluated as he is in the initial stage as the symptoms has just began to occur.. An MRI, CT SCAN and blood tests can help in correct diagnosis of the condition.. For Bell s Palsy for complete recovery of facial muscle activity Steroid therapy like oral intake of Prednisone can relieve and it has a greater action if started within the initial 3 to 4 days when the symptoms begin.. For viral infection antiviral treatment like Acyclovir therapy has to be given.. If there is difficulty in closing the eye you can close it gently by using your fingers and as there is also difficulty in blinking the eye there can be dryness of eye for which you can use artificial tear drops.. Keep you eye covered during sleeping.. Massaging the muscles of face on affected side can help in improving the activity as well as strengthening the muscles.. Hope this information helps.. If you find the answer helpful please give me a Five Star Review and click on found the answer helpful as a token of appreciation.. Thanks and regards.. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora..