What is Bells Palsy?

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What is Bells Palsy? It is a sudden paralysis of one side of the face. The facial nerves become inflamed causing damage that is distinguished by numbness of the face, pain in the ear and it affects taste and tear production.

This Herpes Virus also causes the sufferer to drool
as control of the facial muscles is affected as well.

Also called idiopathic facial paralysis, Bells Palsy is typically diagnosed when there is no known cause for the paralysis. The trait that is more recognizable in this disorder is the origin of the paralysis, which happens overnight and can affect part or all of the face.

Total paralysis only affects about
1% of people who have Bells Palsy.

Bells Palsy affects approximately 40,000 people in the U.S. on a yearly basis. This is about 1 person per 65 over a lifetime. The highest incidence appears to be due to inheritance, with 4% to 14% of those who contract this disease having family members who have been diagnosed with Bells Palsy.

Since it is not reported as some disorders are, it is difficult to estimate exactly how many people have the disease. However, it is known to be more dominant in pregnant women who are three times likelier to get the disease and the rate of occurrence is four times higher for diabetics than it is for the rest of the population.

An inflammation is thought to be the reason for the swelling of the facial nerve. The nerve is in a bone canal underneath the ear. When swelling occurs to the nerve within this bone canal it is what causes the inability to control the muscles on one side of the face.

It is the most common disease that involves only one nerve and
it is also the number one cause of acute facial nerve paralysis.

There are many conditions that can cause facial paralysis such as a stroke, brain tumor or Lyme disease. However, when none of these is present, the diagnosis is typically what is Bells Palsy. One theory that is being researched in the cause of the disease is the lack of Vitamin B12.

Since a deficiency in this vitamin often results in nerve deterioration, it is being considered as an underlying cause.

A chronic infection of herpes virus is also a theory that is being considered as a reason for Bells Palsy. Current research shows this infection causes fever blisters and is also responsible for the development of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. This is the cause of shingles, the adult version of the chicken pox. It can cause symptoms that are quite similar to the symptoms of Bells Palsy.

Although Anti-viral drugs are used as common What is Bells Palsy treatments, they have shown no improvement in the treatment of this disease and if steroids are used early, treatment is essential. While many people recover from Bells Palsy and show improved function of the face within 10 days even without treatments, there are complications that can occur.

The eye on the affected side of the face often cannot be closed and the inability to blink may cause drying. This can result in permanent cornea damage, which will affect vision.

Another question frequently asked is What is Bells Palsy acute cases linked to? The answer is dormant viral infections, such as the herpes virus that is responsible for Epstein Barr syndrome.

The virus lies dormant within the body once it has been contracted, it can reactivate at any time. Triggers for reactivation involve a number of reasons including stress - physical, emotional and environmental - as well as many other conditions.

What is Bells Palsy?

Total paralysis only affects about 1% of people who have Bells Palsy.

Total paralysis only affects about
1% of people who have Bells Palsy.