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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 3 to 5 days.
This condition results from damage to
the 7th (facial) cranial nerve, and may be
accompanied by pain or discomfort on one
side of the face and head.
Bell's palsy strikes men and woman equally,
usually between the ages of 15 and 60.
This nerve disorder afflicts approximately
40,000 Americans each year, and is most
often seen in pregnant women, or persons with
diabetes, influenza, a cold, or other
respiratory ailment.
It is named for Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish
surgeon and physiologist, for his work on
facial palsy. In 1821, he demonstrated that
the facial nerve was a separate nerve.
What are the Symptoms of Bell's Palsy?
The following are the most common symptoms of
Bell's palsy, however, individuals
may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms
may include:
-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
-affects the muscles that control facial
expressions such as smiling, squinting,
blinking, or closing the eyelid
The symptoms of Bell's palsy may resemble
other conditions or medical problems.
Consult a physician for diagnosis.
What Causes Bell's Palsy?
A specific cause of Bell's palsy is unknown,
however, it has been suggested that it is
caused by a viral infection. It also may be
associated with:
-diabetes
-high blood pressure
-trauma
-toxins
-Lyme disease
-Guillain-Barre syndrome
-sarcoidosis
-myasthenia gravis
-infection
Treatment for Bell's Palsy:
One uniformly recommended treatment for Bell's
Palsy is protecting the eye from
drying at nighttime. Eye care, which may
include eyedrops during the day, ointment at
bedtime, and a moisture chamber at night,
helps to protect the cornea from
scratching, which is crucial to the management
of Bell's palsy. 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:
-medication - to reduce inflammation-
steroids
-antiviral meds-
Prognosis of Bell's Palsy:
Currently, there is no known cure for Bell's
palsy. Recovery usually begins 3 weeks to
6 months from the onset of the symptoms.
Recurrence of symptoms at a future time is
rare, although some patients do experience
residual problems. The majority of people
with Bell's palsy recover full facial strength
and expression, usually over weeks to
months. Typically, it improves in 4-6 months
in 85% of cases.
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