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Bell's Palsy - Bell's Palsy symptom, treatment, causes

What is Bell's Palsy ?

Bell's Palsy can be defined as the sudden paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. The cause is unknown, but the paralysis is presumed to be due to swelling of the facial nerve asit passes thrcugh the skull. Bell's palsy is usually pain' less, though pain behind the ear on the affected side may precede paralysis, and patients often com ain of a heavy feeling in the paralysed area. However, the condition often causes severe em-barrassment, loss of confidence and withdrawal because of uncontrollable dribbling from the mouth and weeping from the eye on the affected side, ifficulties in speaking and eating, and loss of control of facial expression.

Bell palsy (facial palsy ) is one of the most common neurologic disorders affecting the cranial nerves. It is certainly the most common cause of facial paralysis worldwide. It is characterised by facial drooping on the affected half, due to malfunction of the facial nerve, which controls the muscles of the face. Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to one of the two facial nerves. The condition may result in a droopy appearance of your face. This can be a blow to your self-esteem, but most often Bell's palsy isn't serious. It is an abrupt, unilateral, peripheral facial paresis or paralysis without a detectable cause. It can affect all age groups, including children, but seems to be most common between the ages of 15 and 45. Men and women are equally affected, although pregnancy increases the risk threefold. The onset of Bell's palsy is usually sudden. Many people wake up in the morning and find that one side of their face is paralyzed. Patients often fear that they have suffered a stroke, but Bell's palsy is not related to stroke. The problem can occur at any age. Bell's palsy occurs more often in pregnant women, in people with diabetes or upper respiratory ailments, such as the flu or a cold, and in people with conditions that compromise their immune systems.

Bell's palsy clears up on its own within weeks or months for most people. Bell's palsy was named after a Scottish doctor, Sir Charles Bell, who studied the two facial nerves that direct how the face moves. Older people are more likely to be afflicted, but children are not immune to it. Children tend to recover well. Diabetics are more than 4 times more likely to develop Bells palsy than the general population. When Bell's palsy occurs, the function of the facial nerve is disrupted, causing an interruption in the messages the brain sends to the facial muscles. Because the facial nerve has so many functions and is so complex, damage to the nerve or a disruption in its function can lead to many problems. The facial nerve controls the muscles that move the eyebrows, close the eyes, and move the mouth and lips. Bell's palsy can affect either side of the face, and neither gender seems to be at a greater risk. It is more commonly seen in young adults, and persons of Japanese descent have a slightly higher incidence of the condition. Other viral illnesses such as herpes zoster (the virus responsible for chickenpox and shingles) may also trigger Bell's palsy. Having diabetes seems to increase the risk. For the symptoms of Bell's palsy to improve, the nerve needs to renew itself, and that can only happen with time. However, some doctors may prescribe medicine to reduce inflammation.

Causes of Bell's palsy

The common causes and risk factor's of Bell's palsy include the following:

• The exect cause of Bell's palsy is unknown.
• A viral infection such as viral meningitis or the common cold sore virus - herpes simplex.
• Bacterial infections such as Lyme disease or typhoid fever.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• A tumor, skull fracture, or neurological condition caused by chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, Guillain-Barre syndrome ) can also lead to Bell's palsy.
• Traumatic injury to the head or face.

Symptoms of Bell's palsy

Some sign and symptoms related to Bell's palsy are as follows:

• Paralysis or weakness on one side of the face
• The eye can't fully close.
• Fullness or pain behind the ear (common).
• Distorted smile and frown.
• The face feels heavy.
  Inability to close the eye completely.
• Headache and drooling.
• Loss of the sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue.
• hanges in the amount of saliva in the mouth.
• Hearing sounds louder in one ear.

Treatment of Bell's palsy

Here is list of the methods to treat Bell's palsy:

• A patch to protect the affected eye.
• Using tape to close the affected eyelid at night.
• Physical therapy to stimulate the facial nerve.
• Medications including corticosteroids to help reduce the swelling of the facial nerve.
• Surgery can be done to relieve pressure on the facial nerve, although this is rarely recommended.
• Plastic surgery may improve permanent facial drooping.

There is no specific treatment for Bell's Palsy, but the use of TICOSTEROID DRUGS will help to prevent fur ther swelling of the nerve and further paralysis. If the eye cannot be closed, artificial tears (as drops or ointment) and padding may be needed to protect the cornea (transparent area in front of the coloured part) and conjunctiva (the membrane that covers the white of the eye and lines the eyelidsl from injury due to dryness or by foreign bodies, physiotherapy will help to keep the paralysed muscles in good condition. Recovery is usually spontaneous, but can take from a few weeks in mild attacks to many months if paralysis is extensive.