Description

Bell's Palsy:- What is Bell's Palsy? Bell’s Palsy is commonly known as Idiopathic Facial Palsy. It is a condition that causes paralysis and temporary weakness on one side of the face. The human head has 12 major nerves known as the cranial nerves. Bell’s Palsy happens when the 7th cranial nerve, more commonly known as the facial nerve, is affected. The facial weakness or paralysis usually occurs on one side of the face, though both sides are affected in rare cases. The condition is temporary, and all signs of paralysis should disappear within six months of the first symptom. What are the Symptoms? The onset of Bell’s Palsy symptoms is sudden, and you might notice them when you wake up in morning or when you try to eat or drink. The primary symptom of the condition is drooping, along with difficulty in opening or closing the eye of the side that is affected. Other signs or symptoms of Bell’s Palsy that you must look out for include: Facial weakness Dry mouth or eye Sound sensitivity Headache Difficulty drinking or eating Inability to make or change facial expressions Drooling Eye irritation Twitching of the facial muscles What are the Causes of Bell’s Palsy? Bell’s Palsy is caused when the seventh cranial nerve or the facial nerve is compressed or swollen. This results in facial weakness or paralysis that is synonymous with the condition. Researchers and scientists are not sure of what causes the facial nerve to be affected. However, in most cases, it can be traced back to an infection caused either by a virus or bacteria. Some of these infections include: Lyme disease Epstein-Barr virus Sarcoidosis Herpes simplex virus HIV Herpes zoster virus Mumps Flu German measles Respiratory illnesses What are the risk factors for Bell’s Palsy? Certain factors could put you at a higher risk for Bell’s Palsy. These include: Being pregnant Having a respiratory infection Being diabetic Having a family history of Bell’s Palsy What Are the Complications of Bell’s Palsy? The good news is that most people with the right medical care and attention make a full recovery from Bell’s Palsy. However, people with severe cases might experience some further complications. These include: Permanent damage to the seventh cranial nerve. Eye infections, ulcers, or even blindness caused due to its dryness. Synkinesis, which is where one part of the body responds involuntarily to the movement of another. How is Bell’s Palsy Treated? Most cases of Bell’s Palsy can be left untreated until the condition corrects itself. However, this can take a long time, during which you could feel uncomfortable, depending on the severity of your symptoms. The following treatments could help hasten your recovery or ease the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy. Medication Corticosteroids to help with the inflammation Eye drops to help your eye stay hydrated Pain medications for any mild pain Antibacterial or antiviral medications to address any underlying causes Home Remedies Warm compress to ease pain An eye patch to decrease dryness Massages Physical Therapy The paralyzed facial muscles will need physical therapy to keep them from permanently contracting and easing any pain.

Key Specification Bell's palsy

Facial Nerve Palsy

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