Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is a disorder of one of the two facial nerves (also called the 7th cranial nerve) that causes temporary paralysis to one side of the face. It affects approximately 40,000 people in the U.S. each year and can strike anyone at any age. However, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), it disproportionately afflicts pregnant women and people with diabetes (Read about "Diabetes") or an upper respiratory ailment such as cold or flu. (Read about "The Common Cold" "Influenza")

The facial nerve controls the muscles on one side of the face and is responsible for eye blinking and expressions. It also affects the tear glands, saliva glands and the middle ear. Because of its many functions, damage or disruption to the nerve, as in Bell's palsy, can result in many different problems. Symptoms of the disorder can range from mild weakness to complete paralysis of one side of the face. In rare cases, both sides can be affected. Besides paralysis, NINDS says other symptoms of the disorder may include:

• twitching of the eye (Read about "The Eye")
• drooping of the eyelid
• inability to close the eye, which is important in distinguishing the symptoms of Bell's palsy from those of a stroke (Read about "Stroke")
• excessive tearing
• drooling
• impaired speech
• impaired taste
• dry eye and/or dry mouth (Read about "Dry Eye" "Oral Health")
• pain in the jaw or behind the ear
• sensitivity to sound in the ear (Read about "The Ear & Hearing")

The exact cause of Bell's palsy is not known, but the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery says viral infections, such as viral meningitis or herpes simplex (Read about "Encephalitis & Meningitis" "Herpes") are suspected. Bell's palsy has also been connected with the infectious agent that causes Lyme disease. (Read about "Lyme Disease")

Because cases of Bell's palsy vary from person to person, there is no standard course of treatment. A large number of patients begin to recover within two weeks with or without any treatment. For others, medication can be effective. Recently doctors have used the antiviral drug, acyclovir, combined with the steroid, prednisone, to improve facial function. Other treatments may include medication for pain, eye drops to keep the affected eye moist when the lid cannot fully close, facial massage (Read about massage in "CAM Therapies") and vitamin therapy. (Read about "Vitamins & Minerals")

Generally, the prognosis for Bell's palsy patients is very good. Most will begin to get better within a couple of weeks and fully recover within a few months. Some may take longer and in a few cases, the symptoms may never completely go away.

Related Information:

    Encephalopathy