Some people may think that the disorder known as Bell’s palsy is somehow related to bells or maybe a condition within the ears, when in fact it was named for Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who identified the condition in 1821. Bell’s palsy is a kind of paralysis that affects only one side of the face.

Our faces are made up of many small muscles, and each one is responsible for different functions like closing our eyelids, smiling, or frowning. All of these muscles are controlled by facial nerves, which transfer messages from the brain to the face. Any damage to a facial nerve results in the weakness or loss of function of that particular muscle.

Bell’s palsy is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Usually, it affects just one side of the face, but in rare conditions both sides of the face may be affected. People who have Bell’s palsy might notice stiffness and weakness on the affected side of the face. When facial nerves are damaged, they fail to transmit messages to the muscles that instruct them to smile, frown, close the eyelids, spit, produce tears, or taste food. Fortunately, Bell’s palsy is a temporary condition.

Causes of Bell’s Palsy

The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown, but it is often associated with viral infection. The herpes virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and influenza virus are thought to cause the disorder where the facial nerve is compressed at the base of the skull and swells in response to a viral infection. Others believe that in rare cases, the bacterial infection that causes Lyme disease may sometimes result in Bell’s palsy.

Bell’s palsy affects people of all ages, but diabetics, pregnant women, AIDS patients, and people who suffer from sarcoidosis are at high risk of developing the disorder. Some may also be genetically predisposed to contracting Bell’s palsy.

It is important to note that most of those who are diagnosed with any of these conditions usually do not develop Bell’s palsy. The disorder only affects one in every 5000 individuals.

The onset of Bell’s palsy is sudden and the symptoms peak in just 48 hours. The severity of the symptoms ranges from mild weakness in one part of the face to muscle twitching to total paralysis of the facial muscles. Before the symptoms arrive, some people feel pain at the back or front of their ears. The symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:

• Drooping of the eyelids or corners of the mouth

• Dry mouth and eyes

• Difficulty closing the eyelids

• Excessive tearing in the eyes

• Loss of sense of taste

• Loss of facial expressions

• Difficulty eating & drinking

• Trouble speaking

• Drooling or a change in the amount of saliva produced

• Hearing at a higher volume than usual

• Major facial distortion

There is no specific test for Bell’s palsy. Diagnosing Bell’s palsy is usually done after ruling out facial paralysis due to other causes such as trauma, stroke, Lyme disease, ear infections, ear or brain tumors, or other genetic disorders. Sometimes, doctors will perform tests for the presence of bacterial and viral infections.

The moment any of the abovementioned symptoms are noticed, it is important to contact a doctor immediately. The physician will take a detailed medical history, ask about the symptoms and how long they took to develop, and determine if these symptoms followed some other illness or trauma. Tell the doctor about any additional symptoms such as weakness or paralysis in any other parts of the body, and whether there have been any recent injuries to the face or head (because facial paralysis caused by injury is more serious than that caused by Bell’s palsy).

If some other cause for your facial paralysis is suspected, then a doctor may perform an X-ray, computer tomography testing, or magnetic resonance imaging to look inside the body for trauma or disease. He or she may also order an electromyography to check how effectively the facial muscles respond to nerve signals.

The most effective way of treating Bell’s palsy is to reduce inflammation and swelling in the affected areas. Steroids such as prednisone and methylprednisolone are used to treat the inflammation. Certain anti-viral medications like acyclovir, which are used to combat the herpes virus, help in reducing the amount of time that the disease is present. Analgesic medicines such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can be prescribed to reduce pain, though a doctor should be consulted before taking these medications. Someone who is unable to close their eyelids may be prescribed eye drops, an eye patch, or glasses to protect their eyes. Always keep the eyes moist, especially at night, and protect them from injury and dust. Physical therapy to help improve a patient’s facial muscle movement may produce substantial benefits.

Most people who experience Bell’s palsy recover completely within one to three months, but a few people are left with some permanent facial weakness. In very rare cases, surgery may be recommended to decompress the affected facial nerves. In others, plastic surgery might be required to facilitate facial expressions and to make the facial muscles work better.

The hardest part of dealing with Bell’s palsy is handling the emotions that accompany the disease. Because Bell’s palsy can change your facial expression for a period of time, you may experience self-consciousness or embarrassment while in public. That is why it is very important that your family and friends understand the condition and the impact it has on you. To help facilitate your recovery, follow the medication regimen that your physician has prescribed, eat well, and get plenty of rest.

Though Bell’s palsy may appear serious at first, it generally goes away after a period of time and usually does not leave any lasting side effects. The most effective way to handle the condition is to treat the symptoms as best you can, reduce any pain with over-the-counter medications, follow your doctor’s instructions regarding medication and therapy, and wait for the condition to abate.