This disorder was named after Scottish
Anatomist Charles Bell who first described it.
Bell’s palsy is a kind of facial
paralysis that results from a malfunction or damage of the facial nerve
(cranial nerve VII). This causes an inability to control the facial muscles on
the affected side and most times the affected part of the face droops. This
condition happens suddenly, often overnight, and usually gets corrected on its
own within a few weeks or months.
This facial weakness associated with
Bell’s palsy could be partial (mild muscle weakness) or complete (paralysis,
although this type is very rare). It is the most common acute mono-neuropathy,
i.e. a disorder involving just one nerve.
Bell’s palsy is believed to be caused
as a result of the inflammation of the facial nerve. The exact cause of this
inflammation is not specifically known. But it is possible due to infections
from viruses of the Herpes simplex virus family (Varicellar-Zoster virus, and
Epstein-Barr virus)
Bell’s palsy is rare. It affects about
1 in 5,000 people in a year. It affects both men and women equally and is
commonly found in those aged between 15 and 45. But people outside this age
group can also suffer from this condition. For reasons not fully understood,
pregnant women and people with HIV and diabetes are more predisposed to this
condition.
The major symptoms are
· - Weakness or paralysis
on one side of the face making it difficult to close the eyelid and causing the
mouth to droop.
· - Eye irritation
such as increased tear production or dryness. Often the eye in the affected
side cannot be closed.
· - Pain around the
ear on the affected side
· - Increased sound
sensitivity
· - Reduced sense of
taste
· - Impaired speech
· - Headache
· - Dryness of the
mouth and pain around the jaw
Most people with Bell’s palsy recover
complete without treatment within 1-2 months. But there are treatment options
to accelerate the recovery process and also reduce the chances of
complications. They are:
- Currently, the steroid, Prednisolone,
is the most effective drug for Bell’s palsy. It helps reduce inflammation
(swelling) of the face and works best if administered within 3days after the
onset of symptoms. But prednisolone has side effects such as nausea, headache,
increased sweating, hunger, dizziness, and even oral thrush. But the
side-effects go away as your body gets used to the medication.
- If a virus is diagnosed to have caused
it, antiviral drugs can also be administered. This medication may be offered
only if your facial paralysis is severe
- Often, the eye in the affected side
cannot be closed, as such it has to lubricated or well protected from drying up
if not the cornea may be permanently damaged resulting in impaired vision.
Lubricating eye drops should applied frequently during the day while an eye
ointment should be used at night
- Facial exercises can also help a great
deal. Doing simple exercises like massaging, tightening and relaxing your
facial muscles will make them stronger again and help you recover quickly. It
will also prevent permanent contractures caused by the shrinking and shortening
of the paralyzed muscles
- In rare and severe cases, plastic
surgery may be recommended. Though it may not be able to restore nerve
function, but it may be able to improve the appearance and symmetry of the face
0 comments :
Post a Comment
Your comments are highly welcomed