Bell’s palsy and everything you need to know about it
What is Bell’s palsy? What causes a person to suffer from Bell’s palsy? Bell’s palsy is a disease in which the nerve of one part of the face is damaged and the muscles on that side of the face are paralyzed. In this case, the facial muscles are either too tight or too loose. You are reading this report from Dr. Salam.
Bell’s palsy is caused by damage to the seventh cranial nerve. This nerve is also known as “facial nerve”. Anyone can develop Bell’s palsy. But it seems to occur more often in people with diabetes or those recovering from viral infections.
Most of the time, Bell’s palsy symptoms are temporary.
If this happens to you, you might panic that you’ve had a stroke, but that’s probably not the case. A stroke that affects the facial muscles causes muscle weakness in other parts of the body and is not limited to the face.
What is the cause of Bell’s palsy?
Most doctors believe that Bell’s palsy is caused by damage to the facial nerve, which causes it to swell. This nerve passes through a narrow bony area in the skull. When the nerve swells – even slightly – it puts pressure on the hard surface of the skull. These conditions affect the function of the nerve.
Also, researchers believe that viral infections may play a role in Bell’s palsy. They have discovered evidence that herpes simplex virus 1 (a common cause of cold sores) may be responsible for many cases of Bell’s palsy.
What are the symptoms of Bell’s palsy?
Symptoms of Bell’s palsy usually appear suddenly. You may go to sleep at night feeling good, but the next morning, when you look in the mirror, you may find that part of your face is drooping and sagging.
Some people feel pain behind their ears a day or two before the onset of Bell’s palsy. Others point out that a few days before the symptoms of this disease appear louder than normal.
You may also experience the following before developing Bell’s palsy (note that these symptoms will likely only occur on one side of the face):
- Inability to close the eyelids or blink
- More or less than the normal amount of water in the eye
- Watery mouth
- Difficulty chewing
- Loss of sense of taste
- Jumping facial muscles
- Pain or numbness behind the ear
Facial weakness and drooping usually peak within a day or two. Most people feel better within a few weeks. They usually experience full recovery within three months. Some people with Bell’s palsy have a longer recovery time. In rare cases, people with this disease may have some permanent symptoms.
Diagnosis and treatment of Bell’s palsy
There is no test to say for sure that you have Bell’s palsy. In fact, doctors usually diagnose this disease after ruling out other diseases.
The doctor will start his work by conducting a complete and detailed examination. If he suspects Bell’s palsy, he tries to close the eyelid in the affected area of the patient’s face. If the eyelid does not close, it is a sign of what doctors call “Bell’s phenomenon”. In this condition, when the doctor tries to close the patient’s eye, the eye moves up and out.
Then the doctor follows to rule out other diseases. He will probably test the patient’s hearing and sense of balance. Also, he may prescribe several tests such as X-ray imaging of the skull, CT scan, or MRI. An electrical test may help with the diagnosis.
Treatment methods for Bell’s palsy
Nothing can stop Bell’s palsy. If it is determined that Bell’s palsy is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV1) or shingles (herpes zoster), the doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, such as acyclovir. However, no research has been conducted to show that these drugs are effective in reducing the symptoms of Bell’s palsy.
Also, your doctor may prescribe a short course of corticosteroids, such as prednisone. The purpose of this work is to reduce the swelling of the facial nerve. This can shorten the duration of Bell’s palsy symptoms.
In the meantime, the doctor will recommend additional eye care in the affected area. The use of blindfold may be suggested because the patient is unable to blink and close his eyelids. If the tears of the eyes are less than usual, the patient may have to use eye drops to prevent dry eyes.
Finally, the doctor may suggest facial muscle massage. In very rare cases – when symptoms do not improve after a period of time – surgery may be recommended to relieve pressure on the facial nerve.
Asr-e Iran