Bell’s Palsy Symptoms, Risk Factors & Treatment | Diseases List A-Z

What is Bell’s Palsy? Bell’s palsy is a temporary weakness that occurs on one side of the facial muscles.

The side of the face affected by Bell’s palsy will usually appear to droop.

Generally, this condition occurs in pregnant women, people with diabetes, and HIV.

This nerve condition is often misunderstood as cerebral palsy, or the meaning is often confused.

In fact, Bell’s palsy and cerebral palsy are two different conditions.

Bell’s palsy is a condition where damaged nerves in the face affect the sense of taste and the way the body produces tears and saliva.

Bell’s palsy usually comes on suddenly and gets better within a few weeks.

Meanwhile, cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination.

The condition occurs due to damage to the immature and developing brain, and most often occurs before birth.

In many cases, cerebral palsy also affects vision, hearing, and sensation.

Bell’s palsy will cause one-half of the face to appear to droop.

Smiles can only be done on one side, and the eye on the affected side refuses to close.

This condition is also known as acute peripheral facial paralysis, the cause of which is unknown, and can occur at any age.

The exact cause is unknown, but many experts believe the condition is the result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face.

Or it may be a reaction that occurs after a viral infection.

Bells Palsy Symptoms Bell palsy causes different symptoms in each sufferer.

Symptoms of paralysis that occur on one side of the face can be divided into two types, namely: Partial paralysis (mild muscle weakness).

Total paralysis (no movement at all, but this is very rare).

Bell’s palsy also affects the sufferer’s mouth and eyelids, making it difficult for these two parts to open and close.

The following are the symptoms of Bell’s palsy that you need to know: Ear pain on the paralyzed side of the face.

The affected ear will be more sensitive to sound.

Ringing in one or both ears.

Decreased or changed sense of taste.

The affected part of the mouth will drool easily.

Mouth feels dry.

Pain around the jaw.

Headache and dizziness.

Difficulty eating, drinking, and speaking.

Bell’s palsy is a disorder that occurs in the muscles and nerves of the face, so this condition does not impact the performance of the brain and other parts of the body.

If paralysis on one side of the face is also accompanied by paralysis in other parts of the body, the sufferer really needs serious treatment from a doctor.

Risk Factors A link was found between migraines and weakness in the face and limbs.

A 2015 study revealed that people who suffer from migraines may be at higher risk of developing Bell’s Palsy.

In addition, Bell’s Palsy is more common in: People aged 15-60 years.

Those who have diabetes or upper respiratory disease.

Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester.

Have an upper respiratory infection, such as the flu or a cold Recurrent attacks of Bell’s palsy are rare.

However, in some cases, there is a family history of recurrent attacks, suggesting the possibility of a genetic predisposition to Bell’s palsy.

Causes of Bells Palsy Until now, experts do not know for sure the cause of Bell’s Palsy.

However, they suspect that this condition occurs because the nerves that control the facial muscles are compressed or disturbed.

In addition, the cause of paralysis occurs due to inflammation of a viral infection, one of which is the herpes virus.

You need to know that Bell’s palsy has nothing to do with stroke.

Here are some causes of Bell’s palsy on the face: Injuries due to accidents occur due to lacerations to the chin or cracks in the skull.

Hereditary facial paralysis, this condition occurs in children who are born with weakness or paralysis of the face.

Surgical injury, this condition usually occurs during parotid gland surgery.

Meanwhile, several viral infectious diseases that are suspected of being related to Bell’s palsy are: Herpes simplex.

Chickenpox and shingles.

Infectious mononucleosis (epstein-barr).

Cytomegalovirus infection.

Respiratory disease (adenovirus).

German measles (rubella).

Mumps (mumps virus).

Flu (flu B).

Coxsackievirus.

According to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, many experts believe that something can trigger a dormant viral infection, essentially awakening and triggering Bell’s palsy.

If you are stressed or have recently been sick, those can be potential triggers.

So can recent physical trauma or even lack of sleep.

Autoimmune conditions can also be other triggers.

The facial nerve reacts to the infection by swelling, which can cause pressure on the bony (fallopian) canal through which the facial nerve passes to the side of the face.

Inflammation of the facial nerve can reduce blood flow and oxygen to the nerve cells.

Damage to these cranial nerves and nerve cells can lead to paralysis of the facial muscles.

In most cases of Bell’s palsy, paralysis on one side of the face can usually recover completely.

Therefore, it is best to contact a doctor to understand the condition experienced.

Diagnosis The American Medical Association (AMA) states that treatment is more effective when given early.

Therefore, sufferers are advised to visit a doctor immediately after experiencing symptoms.

Diagnosing Bell’s Palsy is a process of elimination.

Doctors will look for other conditions that cause facial paralysis, such as a tumor, Lyme disease, or stroke.

The medical staff will also examine the sufferer’s head, neck, and ears.

The doctor will also assess the facial muscles to determine if any nerves other than the facial nerve are affected.

If the diagnosis is still uncertain, the doctor will refer the sufferer to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or otolaryngologist.

Here are the tests you can do to diagnose Bell’s palsy: Electromyography (EMG): This procedure can be done by placing electrodes on the sufferer’s face.

The machine will then measure the electrical activity of nerves and the electrical activity of muscles in response to stimulation.

This test is useful for determining the level of nerve damage, as well as its location.

MRI, CT Scan, or X-ray.

These tests are good for determining whether there is another underlying condition, such as a bacterial infection, skull fracture, or tumor.

Blood tests to check for bacterial or viral infections.

Bells Palsy Treatment To reduce swelling in the facial nerve, sufferers can use prednisolone or prednisone (a group of corticosteroid drugs).

Meanwhile, to prevent problems arising in the eyes that cannot close, sufferers usually need eye drops.

About 70 percent of people with Bell’s palsy recover.

Most will start to improve within two to three weeks.

However, it can take up to 10 months to fully recover depending on the extent of nerve damage.

If a specific cause of Bell’s palsy can be identified by your doctor, such as an infection, that cause will be treated.

If not, symptoms will be treated as needed.

One of the treatments that doctors recommend for Bell’s palsy is to protect the eyes from drying out at night or when working in front of a computer screen.

Eye care includes eye drops during the day, ointments at bedtime, or keeping the room humid at night.

These treatments help protect the cornea from being scratched, which is essential for the management of Bell’s palsy.

The doctor may also prescribe other treatments for the sufferer’s condition based on the severity of symptoms and medical history.

Other treatment options include: Steroids to reduce inflammation.

Antiviral drugs.

Analgesics to relieve pain.

Physical therapy to stimulate the facial nerve.

In addition to the above treatments, learn about therapies to treat Bell’s Palsy.

Bells Palsy Prevention Start a healthy lifestyle by eating high-fiber foods and exercising regularly.

In addition, do regular health checks.

Bells Palsy Complications Bell’s Palsy usually resolves within a short period of time and does not cause long-term complications.

However, during the illness, most people with Bell’s Palsy are unable to close their eye on the affected side of their face.

That is why it is very important to prevent dry eyes at night or when working on a computer.

The eye care you need is eye drops during the day, ointment at bedtime, or making the room humid at night.

These methods can help protect the cornea from being scratched.

Other complications of Bell’s palsy can include: Permanent damage to the facial nerve.

A person may have synkinesis, a condition in which moving one part of the face causes another part to move without the person realizing it.

For example, your eyes close when you smile.

Partial or complete blindness in the eye that will not close due to excessive dryness, and scratches on the protective membrane of the eye (cornea).

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