Bell’s Palsy Symptoms | Diagnosis and Treatment | Dr. Vikram Sharma

Charles Bell – a Scottish anatomist described Bell’s Palsy (facial Palsy) for the first time. The condition is named after his name. It can occur at any age but is commonly seen in people between 17 to 60 years of age.

Bell’s Palsy Symptoms

Bell’s Palsy causes temporary weakness (severe weakness) or paralysis in the facial muscles. It can be due to the compression, swelling, or inflammation of the facial nerve (the nerve that controls facial muscles). The condition can develop within a space of a few hours.

What happens when you have this condition?

Bell’s Palsy Symptoms: If you develop this condition, one side of your face droops or becomes stiff. In addition, on the affected side of your face, you may find it difficult to close your eye or smile. In a majority of cases, the condition is temporary. Symptoms disappear within a few days or weeks.

When paralysis occurs on one side of the face, the affected individual may feel changes in taste, saliva production, tear production, and increased sensitivity to sound.

As the symptoms tend to continue for several hours affecting the face. (Weakness or paralysis of the face – Face drops). Many people think that they have had a stroke. When you develop these symptoms, you must immediately see a neurologist. The doctor will rule out stroke and diagnose the condition as Bell’s Palsy after a thorough medical examination, evaluation of symptoms, and by considering other aspects of the condition.

What causes Bell’s Palsy?

In a majority of the cases, the exact cause of Bell’s Palsy is unknown as many experts don’t know why it occurs. There is an involvement of the seventh cranial nerve that controls the muscles of the face.

What are the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy?

Those who have Bell’s Palsy may experience many of the following Bell’s Palsy symptoms:

  • Facial pain
  • Drooping face – one side of the face
  • Unusual sensations in the face
  • Sudden weakness or paralysis of the face
  • A drooping brow
  • Difficulty closing the lip, mouth, eye, or both on the affected side
  • Changes in the sense of taste
  • Changes in the facial expressions
  • Drooling from one side of the mouth
  • Exposure to the cornea
  • Irritation in the eye
  • The eye doesn’t blink and becomes too dry
  • Less tear production in the eye
  • sensitivity to sound

The symptoms mimic the symptoms of brain stroke

Who are at Risk of Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s palsy risk factors: The following conditions can increase the risk of Bell’s Palsy:

  • Obesity
  • Pregnancy
  • High blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Preeclampsia during pregnancy – it can lead to high blood pressure
  • Age above 40 years

What is the treatment for Bell’s Palsy?

There is no specific treatment for this condition. However, doctors suspect any viral infection to be the cause. They may prescribe antiviral drugs and steroids to ease inflammation and pain and restore nerve and muscle function. A short course of corticosteroids (like prednisone) is given. Occupational and physiotherapy may also be recommended with some exercises and facial massage. Surgery is not usually recommended as the first line of treatment. However, if other treatments don’t offer any relief, you might need surgery to ease complications.

Bell’s Palsy can be worrying, but most people make a full recovery.