Bell's Palsy

What is Bell's palsy?

Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that begins suddenly and worsens over three to five days. This condition results from damage to the 7th (facial) cranial nerve, and pain and discomfort usually occurs on one side of the face or head.

It can strike anyone at any age, but it occurs most often in pregnant women, and people who have diabetes, a cold or another upper respiratory ailment. This nerve disorder afflicts approximately 40,000 Americans each year. Bell's palsy strikes men and women equally.

Bell's palsy is not considered permanent, but in rare cases it does not disappear. Currently, there is no known cure for Bell's palsy, however recovery usually begins three weeks to six months from the onset of the symptoms. The majority of people with Bell's palsy recover full facial strength and expression.

What causes Bell's palsy?

A specific cause of Bell's palsy is unknown, however, it has been suggested that the disorder may be inherited. It also may be associated with the following:

• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• trauma
• toxins
• Lyme disease
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• sarcoidosis
• myasthenia gravis
• infection

What are the symptoms of Bell's palsy?

The following are the most common symptoms of Bell's palsy. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• disordered movement of the muscles that control facial expressions such as smiling, squinting, blinking, or closing the eyelid
  
  
• loss of feeling in the face
  
  
• headache
  
  
• tearing
  
  
• drooling
  
  
• loss of the sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue
  
  
• hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear
  
  
• inability to close the eye on the affected side of the face

The symptoms of Bell's palsy may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for Bell's palsy:

Specific treatment for Bell's palsy will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

One uniformly recommended treatment for Bell's palsy is to protect the eyes from drying at nighttime or while working at a computer. Eye care, which may include eye drops during the day, ointment at bedtime, or a moisture chamber at night, helps to protect the cornea from scratching, which is crucial to the management of Bell's palsey.

Your physician will establish an appropriate treatment protocol for your condition based on the severity of your symptoms and your medical profile. Other treatment options include:

• steroid medications (to reduce inflammation)
• analgesics (to relieve pain)
• antiviral medications (such as acyclovir)

The majority of people with Bell's palsy recover full facial strength and expression, usually over weeks to months.

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