Final answer:
Peripheral facial nerve damage is more common due to the lack of protection in the PNS compared to the CNS, which, while less prone to damage, experiences more severe consequences when injured. Peripheral injuries manifest as loss of feeling or tingling, while central injuries may lead to disability or death.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peripheral facial nerve damage differs from central facial nerve damage in several key ways due to the positions and protections afforded to different parts of the nervous system. The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS), composed of nerves extending from the brain and spinal cord, lacks the protective barriers of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Therefore, the PNS is more vulnerable to injuries from causes like diabetes, infectious diseases such as shingles, toxins, and physical trauma. Peripheral nerve injuries often manifest as loss of feeling, tingling, muscle weakness, or neuropathic pain, and while nerves may regenerate after being cut, this is a slow process that can take months. In contrast, CNS injuries often have more severe consequences, affecting the brain or spinal cord and potentially leading to permanent disability or death, common causes being vehicular accidents and sports injuries.
In summary, while the PNS is more exposed to injury and disease, the barriers that protect the CNS render it less susceptible to damage; however, when the CNS is injured, the resulting impairments are typically more severe. Treatments for neurological pain, whether inflammatory or neuropathic, can vary greatly, from behavioral therapies to medication, based on the severity and underlying cause of the pain.