Bell’s Palsy Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

In Bell's palsy, paralysis or weakness of facial muscles occurs. It is due to the temporary or permanent damage to the facial nerve. These facial nerves are involved in controlling facial muscles. Bell’s palsy occurs when these facial nerves become inflamed, swollen, or compressed. In bell’s palsy, one side of your face becomes stiff. It can also affect both sides of your face but it is very rare. This condition is temporary and is usually relieved within a few weeks. It can also affect tear production, saliva and sensory nerves. It can affect people of all ages but particularly in people between 16-60 years of age. People with diabetes or upper respiratory diseases are at higher risk for developing bell’s palsy.

Causes

Bell’s palsy is caused by the temporary or permanent damage to the facial nerve. These facial nerves are involved in controlling facial muscles. These nerves pass through a narrow area within the skull from the brain to the face.  Bell’s palsy occurs when these facial nerves become inflamed, swollen, or compressed. As a result of facial nerve inflammation, the protective covering of the nerve is damaged and the signals are not transmitted properly. This causes the paralysis or weakness of facial muscles. The exact cause behind this damage is unclear. Bell’s palsy can also occur when the virus, herpes virus causes the inflammation of nerves. Other viruses responsible for the development of bell’s palsy are chickenpox, shingles virus, cold sores, genital herpes virus, Epstein barr virus and influenza B.

Symptoms

The symptoms of bell’s palsy are very sudden in onset. In bell’s palsy, one side of your face becomes stiff. It can also affect both sides of your face but it is very rare. Other symptoms include,

• Inability to smile
• Sudden loss of muscular movement on one side of the face
• Whistling is impossible
• Inability to rise upper or lower lip
• Slurred speech
• Loss of taste
• Face distortions
• Drooling
• Changes in the amount of tears or saliva production
• Feeling of difficulty in making facial expressions
• Inability to properly close your eyes
•  Inability in raising eyebrows
•  Dry eyes and mouth
•  Feeling difficult in talking, drinking and eating
•  Headache
•  Inability to blink

Treatment

The recovery of Bell’s palsy is possible even without treatment. But treatment helps you to recover or heal faster. Your doctor can prescribe corticosteroids such as prednisone for the ease of swelling. Prednisolone prevents the release of substances such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These substances are involved in causing inflammation. Corticosteroids are most effective if they are taken within 72 hours after the onset of symptoms.

Antiviral medication like acyclovir and valacyclovir can also be given in bell’s palsy. Your doctor can also prescribe eye drops or ointments in order to keep your eyes moist. You can also use over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for the reduction of pain and discomfort. The surgical treatments for bell’s palsy are facial grafting, facial anastomosis and nerve decompression.