Bell's Palsy is named after a Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who lived in the 19th century and who first recognized the disease. The main symptom of Bell's Palsy is damage to one of the facial nerves, resulting in a temporary paralysis of the face. This symptom of Bell's Palsy usually effects only one side of the face, and rarely both sides. The paralysis will occur suddenly, and damage will be apparent within two days.
What are other symptoms of Bell's Palsy, besides paralysis? Some examples are twitching of the face, a drooping eyelid, and weakness, paralysis, or watery and teary eyes. Other existing symptoms could be dry eye, a lack of taste in the mouth, drooping of the side of the mouth, or drooling. After these symptoms of Bell's Palsy appear, they can quickly progress to a point of facial paralysis, resulting in facial distortion.
What causes the symptoms of Bell's Palsy(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Bells-Palsy.html)? Most physicians pinpoint viral infections, which could come in different forms; for example, cold sore viruses (herpes simplex), or meningitis. The facial nerve becomes inflamed, swells up, and thus the symptoms of Bell's Palsy appear. Much research has been conducted about this condition by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). This organization supports research throughout the United States through grants given to medical institutions. Much of this research has been focused on the symptoms of Bell's Palsy, particularly on how nerve damage can be repaired. Understanding the symptoms of Bell's Palsy could mean that effective treatments are soon to come.
Can Bell's Palsy be alleviated naturally? One step to take with this condition is lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Currently, no medicines exist in Western medicine that can alleviate the symptoms of Bell's Palsy. There has been success in Bell's Palsy treatment(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Bells-Palsy.html), however, with Chinese traditional methods. Such Chinese traditional methods as acupuncture and cupping have been shown to have positive effects against the symptoms of Bell's Palsy. Some herbal Chinese medicines have also been shown to be effective. Horse chestnut seed, traditionally used for all kinds of pain, including rheumatism and headaches, is a natural remedy that has shown promise in the natural treatment of Bell's Palsy(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Bells-Palsy.html).
Upon first observing the symptoms of Bell's Palsy, it is very important to act quickly as symptoms can progress very rapidly. Symptoms of Bell's Palsy may be able to be minimized with medical intervention.
Bell's Palsy is facial paralysis, normally affecting one side of the face, and can last from a number of weeks to a number of years. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Bell's palsy is a diagnosis of exclusion; in many cases, no specific cause can be ascertained. The condition may result in a droopy appearance of your face. Bells palsy is not as uncommon as is generally believed. Worldwide statistics set the frequency at approximately .02% of the population (with geographical variations). This can be a blow to your self-esteem, but most often Bell's palsy isn't serious. In human terms this is 1 of every 5000 people, and 40,000 Americans every year. The facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) has 2 components. The larger portion comprises efferent fibers that stimulate the muscles of facial expression. The smaller portion contains taste fibers to the anterior two thirds of the tongue, secretomotor fibers to the lacrimal and salivary glands, and some pain fibers. Viral infections such as herpes, mumps, or HIV, and bacterial infections such as Lyme disease or tuberculosis can cause inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve that causes Bell's palsy.
Bells palsy is more prevelant than generally believed. Bells palsy should not cause any other part of the body to become paralyzed, weak or numb. Most people either wake up to find they have Bells palsy, or have symptoms such as a dry eye or tingling around their lips that progress to classic Bell's palsy during that same day. Occasionally symptoms may take a few days to be recognizable as Bells palsy. The degree of paralysis should peak within several days of onset - never in longer than 2 weeks (3 weeks maximum for Ramsey Hunt syndrome). Other symptoms may include pain or discomfort around the jaw and behind the ear, ringing in one or both ears, headache, loss of taste, hypersensitivity to sound on the affected side, impaired speech, dizziness, and difficulty eating or drinking. Bell's palsy occurs when the nerve that controls the facial muscles is swollen, inflamed, or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. Although most patients (60'80%) recover completely from Bell's palsy within several weeks, some require several months, and others may be left with deficits of varying degrees.
The most important factor in treatment is to eliminate the source of the nerve damage. Surgical procedures to decompress the facial nerve have been attempted, but have not been proven beneficial. Facial massage and exercises may help prevent permanent contractures (shrinkage or shortening of muscles) of the paralyzed muscles before recovery takes place. Moist heat applied to the affected side of the face may help reduce pain. Other therapies that may be useful for some individuals include relaxation techniques, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, biofeedback training, and vitamin therapy (including vitamin B12, B6, and zinc), which may help nerve growth. In some cases, a small dose of botulinum toxin can be injected into the Treatment may involve steroid and anti-viral therapy. Painkillers may also be required. It's important to protect the eye from drying, which may result in infection and ulceration. For others, treatment may include medications such as acyclovir -- used to fight viral infections -- combined with an anti-inflammatory drug such as the steroid prednisone -- used to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Treatment for Bell's Palsy Tips
1. Surgical procedures to decompress the facial nerve have been attempted, but have not been proven beneficial.
2. Facial massage and exercises may help prevent permanent contractures (shrinkage or shortening of muscles) of the paralyzed muscles before recovery takes place.
3. Moist heat applied to the affected side of the face may help reduce pain.
4. Other therapies that may be useful for some individuals include relaxation techniques, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, biofeedback training, and vitamin therapy (including vitamin B12, B6, and zinc).
5. A small dose of botulinum toxin can be injected into the Treatment may involve steroid and anti-viral therapy.
6. Painkillers may also be required. It's important to protect the eye from drying, which may result in infection and ulceration.
7. Treatment may include medications such as acyclovir used to fight viral infections combined with an anti-inflammatory drug such as the steroid prednisone.
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