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In the course of life, thousands of possibilities, diseases and health problems can affect us without any explanation. However, knowledge makes it possible for us to seek treatment alternatives or even forms of precautions. So today we are going to talk about a little known syndrome, called bell’s palsy.
What is Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to the facial nerves. It is a condition that causes temporary weakness or lack of movement of some muscles in the face.
It can occur when the nerve that controls facial muscles becomes inflamed, swollen, or pinched. The condition affects only one of the facial nerves and one side of the face , however, in rare cases, it can affect both sides. This makes the affected side look drooping or stiff.
People with Bell’s Palsy may have difficulty smiling or closing their eyes on the affected half of the face. In most cases, it disappears after a few weeks , and, although it can occur at any age, this condition is more common among people between 16 and 60 years old.
Reason for the Name Bell Syndrome
Bell’s palsy got its name after Charles Bell, a 19th century Scottish surgeon and anatomist, described the functioning of the facial nerve and its connection with pathology.
Causes of Bell’s Palsy
Each side of the human face has a nerve. The facial nerve (or seventh nerve as it is known) leaves the brain and goes through a small tunnel in the skull just below the ear.
It is these facial nerves that control the muscles on both sides of the face, causing the movements of opening and closing the eyes , blinking, facial expressions, such as smiling and frowning to be performed.
In addition, the facial nerve carries nerve impulses to the lacrimal glands, the salivary glands and also acts on the taste sensations of the tongue.
When Bell’s palsy occurs, facial nerve function is disrupted , causing an interruption in the messages that the brain sends to facial muscles. This interruption results in facial weakness or paralysis.
The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is not known , but many medical researchers believe that its occurrence is probably triggered by viral infections. This is because these infections cause swelling and compression causing the facial nerve to compromise its function.
Major Viruses Linked to Bell’s Palsy
The following viruses are commonly associated with Bell’s palsy:
- Herpes labial e herpes genital
- HIV, which damages the immune system to
- Varicela e herpes-zoster
- Mononucleose (Epstein-Barr)
- Cytomegalovirus infections
- Respiratory diseases by adenovirus
- Rubella
- Gripe (influenza B)
- Hand-foot-mouth syndrome.
- Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection caused by infected ticks
Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy
Symptoms of Bell’s palsy can develop one to two weeks after an ear infection or even an eye infection. It is sudden, most of the time, they peak within 48 hours and lead to significant facial distortion. The effects of weakness vary, depending on whether the nerve is partially or totally affected.
Signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:
- Drop of the eyelid and corner of the mouth
- Difficulty keeping saliva in the mouth
- Difficulty eating and drinking
- Inability to make facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning
- Facial weakness, only one side moves
- Muscle spasms on the face
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth and eye
- Headache
- Sound sensitivity
- Difficulty with speech
- Loss of the ability to taste food
- Discomfort around the jaw and behind the ear
Risk Factors for Bell’s Palsy
The risk of developing Bell’s palsy increases if these conditions exist:
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Pulmonary infection
- Kidney infection
- Family history of paralysis
How to Diagnose Bell’s Palsy
The diagnosis of Bell’s palsy is made based on the clinical presentation, questions about the symptoms, how long they started to appear, observation of the distorted facial appearance and the inability to move muscles on the affected side of the face, ruling out other possible causes of facial paralysis .
There is no specific laboratory test to confirm the diagnosis of the disease. Generally, the doctor will perform a test called electromyography (EMG) that can confirm the presence of nerve damage, determine the severity and extent of weakness in the facial muscles.
In most cases, this weakness is limited to one side of the face or occasionally isolated on the forehead, eyelid or mouth. Blood tests can sometimes be useful in diagnosing other competing problems, such as diabetes or the presence of a bacterial or viral infection.
An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan can eliminate other causes of pressure on the facial nerve.
Diseases That Can Be Confused With Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s palsy is a common indication of facial palsy. Other less common causes caused by other conditions that damage or affect the facial nerve may be: head trauma, sarcoidosis, Lyme disease , tumors in the ear, tumors in the parotid gland and tumors in the brain.
In addition, some people who suffer a stroke may develop facial weakness. However, these conditions are usually associated with other symptoms. This helps to differentiate diagnoses. Some of these symptoms are:
- In cases of stroke, muscles other than the facial ones are likely to be affected, such as the arm or leg
- In cases of tumor, symptoms usually develop slowly (over weeks or months), while Bell’s palsy is sudden, usually “overnight”
- Conditions such as sarcoidosis and Lyme disease tend to cause symptoms other than nerve palsies
- In particular, Bell’s palsy is uncommon in children under 10 years of age. Other conditions must be carefully ruled out in children who develop facial weakness.
How is Bell’s Palsy Treated?
Bell’s palsy affects each individual differently. Some cases are mild and do not require treatment, as the symptoms usually subside on their own within 2 weeks. For others, treatment may include medications and other therapeutic options.
If an infection is found to cause Bell’s Palsy, targeted treatment can solve the problem. Recent studies have shown that steroids are effective in treating paralysis . The following treatments can help with recovery.
Medication
Corticosteroid medications, which reduce inflammation and swelling . Antiviral or antibacterial medication, used to fight viral herpes infections, may also have some benefit in reducing the course of the disease.
Analgesic medications can help relieve mild pain . Eye drop lubricants, such as eye drops, ointments or gels, are also effective. Due to possible drug interactions, people who take prescription drugs should always talk to their doctor before taking any medication without a prescription.
Home Treatment
Another important factor in the treatment is eye protection. Bell’s palsy can disrupt the natural ability to blink or close your eyes , leaving you exposed to irritation and dryness. Therefore, keeping the eye moist and protecting it from debris and injury, especially at night, is extremely important.
- Placing a hot, damp towel over your face can ease the pain
- Facial massage
- Therapies like acupuncture can provide a potential improvement in facial nerve function and pain.
Physiotherapy
Muscles paralyzed by the condition can shrink and shrink, causing permanent contractures. Physiotherapists can help by teaching exercises and massage to the facial muscles to recover or to avoid this complication.
Possible Complications of Bell’s Palsy
Most people who have an episode of Bell’s palsy will recover completely without complications. However, complications can occur in more severe cases of Bell’s palsy. These include the following:
- Irreversible damage to the facial nerve
- Involuntary muscle contraction – which is the condition in which moving one part of the body causes another to move involuntarily. For example, your eye may close when you smile.
- Excessive dryness in the eye, which can lead to eye infections, ulcers or even blindness.
Is There Surgery For Bell’s Palsy?
In general, decompression surgery (relieving pressure on the nerve) for Bell’s palsy is controversial and is rarely recommended. On rare occasions, cosmetic or reconstructive surgery may be necessary to reduce deformities and correct any damage, such as an eyelid that will not close completely or a crooked smile.
Bell’s Palsy Is It Cure?
Yes, paralysis can be cured. The prognosis for individuals with Bell’s palsy is generally very good. The extent of nerve damage determines the extent of recovery.
The improvement is gradual and recovery times vary . With or without treatment, most individuals begin to improve within 2 weeks after the initial onset of symptoms and most recover completely, returning to normal function within 3 to 6 months.
For some, however, the symptoms may last longer. In some cases, the symptoms may never go away completely. In rare cases, the disorder can be repeated, on the same side or on the opposite side of the face.
Prevention
Because the causes of Bell’s palsy are not known, there are no ways to prevent the disease. However, there is research on brain and nervous system disorders, including Bell’s palsy.
These researches focus on increasing understanding of how the nervous system works and what causes it to collapse in a given situation, leading to dysfunction.
Learn more about the circumstances that lead to nerve damage and the conditions that cause nerve damage. The knowledge gained from this research can help scientists find the ultimate cause of Bell’s palsy, leading to the discovery of new effective treatments for the disorder.
They aim to develop methods to repair damaged nerves and restore full use and strength to the injured areas, and to find ways to prevent nerve damage and injury.
When to seek help?
Call your doctor immediately if you are showing signs of Bell’s palsy. Rapid treatment can help speed recovery time and prevent any complications.
See also: Infantile Cerebral Palsy
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
