What causes facial stiffness?
Disease description:
I don't know why, but my face has felt stiff and unnatural these past couple of days. I'd like to ask what might be causing this?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Facial stiffness may be caused by various factors, mainly including:
1. Lifestyle habits: Prolonged maintenance of a single facial expression, such as looking down at a mobile phone or working in front of a computer, may lead to facial muscle stiffness. In addition, lack of facial muscle exercise can also cause the muscles to gradually lose elasticity.
2. Mental and stress-related factors: When experiencing mental tension or excessive stress, the body may unconsciously tense up, including the facial muscles, thereby causing a sensation of stiffness.
3. Environmental factors: Stimulation from cold air may also cause irritation to the facial nerves, leading to stiffness.
4. Disease-related factors: Various diseases such as facial nerve inflammation (facial neuritis), Parkinson's disease, stroke, and meningitis may all affect facial nerve and muscle function, resulting in stiffness. Facial neuritis is usually caused by inflammation-induced damage to the facial nerve, while Parkinson's disease is associated with abnormal secretion of neurotransmitters in the brain.
5. Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as scleroderma and dermatomyositis may also lead to facial muscle stiffness. These diseases typically affect the normal function of the skin and muscles.
If symptoms of facial stiffness occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.
