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Bell's palsy

DTMT Network
Bell’s palsy (BP) is a non-progressive neurological disorder of one of the facial nerves. This disorder affects males and females in equal numbers. It is estimated that between 25 and 35 in 100,000 people in the US are affected with Bell’s palsy.

Bell’s palsy mostly happens to elders than children but it may affect individuals of any age. The disorder is characterized by the sudden starting of facial paralysis that may be preceded by a low fever, pain behind the ear on the affected side, a stiff neck, and weakness and/or stiffness on one side of the face.

Paralysis occurs due to decreased blood supply (ischemia) and/or compression of the seventh cranial nerve. The exact cause of Bell's Palsy is not known but viral (e.g., herpes zoster virus) and immune disorders are frequently implicated as a cause for this disorder.

However, pregnant women or individuals with diabetes or upper respiratory ailments are affected more often than the general population. Identification of Bell’s Palsy may be made by the physician while checking at the patient's face and noting the difficulty the patient has in moving the facial muscles.

Electromyography, a test that measure the electrical conductivity of the nerve, may be conducted to confirm the diagnosis and to measure the extent of the nerve damage.

Most people affected with Bell's Palsy recover completely without treatment. Performing massage and mild electrical stimulation of the paralysed muscles can help maintain facial muscle tone and prevent the loss of muscle function. Treatment with oral corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone, has been more successful than surgical attempts to widen the facial canal.

Methylcellulose eye drops, eyeglasses or goggles, and/or temporary patching may help to protect the exposed eye of people with Bell's Palsy if they cannot close the eye. In extremely severe cases, partial or total surgical closure of the eyelid on the affected side (tarsorrhaphy) may protect the eye from permanent damage.

 


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