Bell’s Palsy causes weakness in the facial muscles making them droop on one side of the face. It is often mistaken for a stroke. It is a temporary paralysis of the facial muscles. Depending on the severity of symptoms, the condition resolves itself within a few weeks to a few months. Bell’s Palsy is not permanent though.
What is the difference between Bell’s Palsy and a Stroke?
Is It Bell’s Palsy or A Stroke: Though the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy mimic the symptoms of stroke, it affects only the facial nerve? When a clot blocks or stops blood flow to the brain or when a blood vessel inside the brain ruptures a stroke occurs. In general, a stroke is caused by either the rupture of a blood vessel or by the formation of a blood clot. On the contrary, Bell’s Palsy is linked to facial nerve damage.
Bell’s Palsy affects people of all ages, but it is not as common in children and young adults when compared to older adults. The risk however increases if a person has upper respiratory tract infections or diabetes.
What causes Bell’s Palsy?
The exact cause of this condition is still unknown (idiopathic). Experts believe that a viral infection (meningitis or sore virus) can trigger Bell’s Palsy. The infection can lead to inflammation of the facial nerve. Bell’s palsy is also associated with the following conditions: skull fracture, Sarcoidosis, Lyme disease, headaches, facial injury, diabetes, chronic middle ear infections, and tumors.
Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy
Is It Bell’s Palsy or A stroke: In a majority of the cases of Bell’s palsy, weakness being temporary improves significantly within a few weeks? Owing to weak facial muscles half of the face appears to droop. The smile becomes one-sided and eye on the affected side resists closing. The other symptoms of Bell’s palsy include headache, increased sensitivity to sound, pain behind the ear or around the jaw, drooling, difficulty smiling, making facial expressions, closing eyes, and facial drooping. Mild facial weakness onsets rapidly leading to partial or complete paralysis of one side of the face.
Bottom line
Never delay in seeking medical attention or help assuming that symptoms are mild and may be due to some other health issue. The reason – symptoms of Bell’s palsy can mimic stroke symptoms.
Therefore, it is better to have the condition get evaluated by an expert neurologist as early as possible. Irrespective of the cause or your understanding of the condition or symptoms, if you notice weakness in your facial muscles with face drooping, then visit your nearest hospital. This is important to find out the underlying cause and severity of your disorder. If you are diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, talk to your neurologist about your treatment options.
