Bell's palsy is a disease that involves the muscles on one side of the face to suddenly weaken. The weakness often subsides over a few weeks and is only transitory. Half of the face seems to droop from the weakness. One-sided smiles cause the affected eye to resist closing. Any age can experience it. Unknown is the precise cause. According to experts, the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face is swollen and inflamed. It could be brought on by a response that follows a viral infection.1
Bell’s Palsy Causes
The majority of medical professionals think it's caused by swelling brought on by facial nerve injury. This nerve travels through a constrictive, bony region of the skull. The nerve pushes up against the hard surface of the skull as it swells even slightly. This has an impact on the nerve’s functionality.3
Long thought to be a contributing factor to the onset of Bell's palsy, viral infections may also be involved. They have discovered data that implies a significant portion of cases may be brought on by the herpes simplex 1 virus, which is a common source of cold sores. Bell's palsy may also be caused by additional viruses, such as: 3
> Adenovirus (respiratory conditions)
> Coxsackievirus (hand-foot-mouth disease)
> Cytomegalovirus
> Epstein-Barr (infectious mononucleosis)
> Herpes zoster (chickenpox and shingles)
> Influenza B (flu)
> Mumps
> Rubella (German measles)
Clinical Symptoms
Bell's palsy symptoms can range in severity from minor weakness to complete paralysis. The severity of the paralysis tends to increase with the amount of inflammation and compression the facial nerve is exposed to, and it takes longer for the nerve to recover and function.2
Bell’s palsy also exhibits additional symptoms, such as: 2
> Facial weakness
> a droopy mouth
> An inability to make facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning
> Difficulty pronouncing certain words
> Dry eye and mouth
> Altered taste
> Drooling
> Sensitivity to sound
> Difficulty eating and drinking
> Muscle twitches in the face
> Irritation of the eye on the involved side
Medication
Your doctor might suggest drugs such as: 2
> Medications called corticosteroids that lessen inflammation
> If a virus or bacteria is the cause of your Bell's palsy, an antiviral or antibacterial drug may be administered.
> Ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which are available over-the-counter painkillers that can help with mild pain
> Eye drops to keep the affected eye moisturized and healthy.
Sources:
> Mayo Clinic. Bell’s Palsy? Updated on May 04, 2022. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bells-palsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370028
> Kahn April. What Is Bell’s Palsy? Updated on November 18, 2021. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/bells-palsy
> Sachdev Poonam. Bells’s Palsy Updated on September 29, 2021. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-bells-palsy-basics
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