According to the Mayo Clinic, 40,000 Americans develop Bell's palsy each year, a condition characterized by the paralysis of the facial muscles, causing the face to look droopy. It is sometimes mistaken for a stroke because it primarily affects one side of the face. Although it is a temporary condition that typically lasts for three to six months, its symptoms cause numerous facial problems.
Causes
Viral meningitis or the herpes simplex virus cause Bell's palsy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), scientists believe viral infections cause Bell's palsy because they make the facial nerves swell and become inflamed. This can damage the facial nerves.
Symptoms
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, symptoms of Bell's palsy include weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, eyelids or corners of the mouth that droop, difficulty speaking, dribbling when consuming liquids, loss or desensitized taste, and twitching. The symptoms reach its peak within 48 hours.
Risk Factors
People over the age of 40 are at a higher risk for developing facial paralysis, including Bell's palsy. People who have diabetes, upper respiratory problems and a weak immune system are also at risk. Pregnancy also increases the risk of developing Bell's palsy.
Complications
If the damage to the facial nerves is too severe, it results in total paralysis of the surrounding facial muscles. It is not reversible. For people who do recover, nerve fibers can regrow differently, causing the facial muscles to contract in an incorrect manner. According to the Mayo Clinic, this causes other facial muscles to move at inappropriate times, such as an eye closing while smiling.
Treatments
For Bell's palsy that does not completely stop, doctors often prescribe treatments to deal with the symptoms. Medications, such as corticosteroids, help reduce facial nerve swelling. Antiviral drugs are also used to stop the virus that caused Bell's palsy from becoming worse. Common antiviral drugs prescribed include acyclovir and valacyclovir.
Treating Bell's palsy at home by massaging and exercising the facial muscles also helps. This prevents the paralyzed muscles from becoming permanently stuck. A doctor will explain the proper massage and exercise techniques to use for the face.
For Bell's palsy that does not respond to home treatment or medications, surgery is used to reduce pressure on the facial nerves. Called decompression surgery, it relieves the pressure by opening the bone surrounding the facial nerve. This helps correct the facial muscles.
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