Everything about Bell’s Palsy – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Bell’s palsy is also known as peripheral facial palsy and can occur in individuals belonging to any age group. This context highlights the major aspects like symptoms, causes, diagnosis and management practices available to combat the effects of Bell's palsy.

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What Is Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s palsy is a temporary facial paralysis or sudden weakness in the facial muscles and is mostly caused due to inflammation in any of the facial nerves. As the condition is temporary, in most people, this condition lasts for two weeks and takes three to six months of a time period to recover fully.

Generally, in conditions like Bell’s palsy, one side of the face encounters drooping or becomes stiff. In this situation, this individual will have difficulty smiling, talking or closing his or her eye.

What Are the Symptoms of Bell’s palsy?

Individuals being affected by Bell's palsy may show signs and symptoms based on the severity of the problem. These signs may vary from mild weakness to complete paralysis, indicating that the severe compression and inflammation of the facial nerve can worsen the situation.

The symptoms of Bell's palsy can take one or two weeks to develop after having an eye or ear infection or cold, or it may occur suddenly. Here are some of the common symptoms of Bell’s palsy that can affect the facial structure as a whole:

Experiencing facial weakness and unable to make any expression
Drooling
Experiencing difficulty in uttering certain words
Facial droop
Sound sensitivity
Problems in eating and drinking
Facing drying in the eye and mouth
Headache
Loss of taste
Tinnitus

It is always ideal to consult with a specialist upon experiencing such symptoms, as it may take a long time for the nerve to heal and regain its function if the paralysis tends to be severe.

What Are the Main Causes of Bell’s Palsy?

The compression and swelling of a seventh cranial nerve cause facial weakness or paralysis, indicating Bell's palsy. Though the causes of Bell’s palsy are unknown, different viruses are responsible for triggering Bell's palsy.

Here are the viruses that are responsible for occurrences of Bell's palsy in individuals:

HIV – damages immune system
Herpes zoster virus – causes shingles and chickenpox
Herpes simplex – causes genital herpes and cold sores
Epstein-Barr virus – causes mononucleosis
Sarcoidosis – causes inflammation in different organ
Lyme disease – a bacterial infection

In addition to the infection caused by the following viruses, causes of Bell’s palsy can be sleep deprivation or any autoimmune situation. Moreover, individuals experiencing prolonged stress or sickness can trigger the signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy.

What Are the Risk Factors Associated in Bell’s Palsy?

Generally, Bell’s palsy can affect any man or woman falling within the age group of 15 to 60 years of age. Moreover, the chances of Bell's palsy are high in pregnant women or individuals having any of the following conditions:

Diabetes
Autoimmune disease
Condition with high blood pressure

What Is the Diagnosis Method for Bell’s Palsy?

The initial diagnosis of Bell's palsy involves conducting a set of physical examinations to evaluate the severity of facial muscle weakness. This examination is followed by a plethora of test that includes:

Blood tests to check the glucose level in the blood.
Blood tests to determine if there is any bacterial or viral infection existing.
Imaging tests like MRI or CT scan to find out any trace of stroke or brain tumour.
Electromyography (EMG) – in this test, a physician inserts into the muscle thin wire electrodes to check the presence of any nerve damage that is related to facial muscle.
Lumbar puncture : As there is not any specific lab test to detect Bell’s palsy, it is pivotal to conduct a series of tests to understand the depth of the condition. Based on this, a doctor will offer the best possible treatment and management against this disorder.

How Is Bell’s Palsy Treated?

Bell palsy, in some individuals, can take numerous weeks or months for the nerves to regain their strength. Here, in the underlying sections, the treatment practices available are discussed. They help to combat the effects of Bell's palsy and to accelerate its recovery.

Medication

A specialist physician, upon diagnosis of Bell's palsy, can recommend the following medicines:

Antibacterial Medication – in case a bacteria or virus is causing Bell’s palsy
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Pain Medications - acetaminophen and ibuprofen, in order to reduce mild pain
Corticosteroid Drugs – reduces inflammation
Eye Drops – to clear dryness in the eyes

Some of the alternatives that work as treatments of Bell's palsy and have shown improvement in clinical case studies are acupuncture, biofeedback training and alternative medicines like botulinum toxin.

Apart from these, some home remedies can offer relief from the symptoms of the condition. This includes:

Physical therapy or exercises which is responsible for stimulating facial muscles
Facial massage
A warm and moist towel on the face helps with pain management
An eye patch to combat dry eyes

Management Practices of Bell’s Palsy

Despite taking medications, managing Bell’s palsy becomes essential with proper guidance from healthcare professionals. Here are the top ways to manage the effect of Bell's palsy:

Using eye drops during the day to prevent the chances of dry eyes or exposure to keratitis. This is a quintessential step, as a prolonged situation of dry eyes can lead to damage to the cornea. Hence, to combat this situation, doctors generally recommend preservative-free eye drops.
Seek psychological help whenever necessary.
Take rest as much as possible as it will keep stress at bay.

Though the time taken to show recovery signs of Bell’s palsy varies from person to person and the severity of the nerve damage, proper care and management can deliver fast improvements.

When Should I See a Doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment of Bell’s palsy helps with a speedy recovery. It is mandatory to seek medical attention if any symptoms of facial paralysis are detected. Moreover, specialist assistance is required if the condition of the individual does not improve within three months or is facing any chronic eye irritation, dehydration and hearing loss.

Depending on the severity of the nerve damage, the recovery period of an individual can take up to two to six months. Most individuals affected with Bell’s palsy recover without treatment and manage the effects well in advance. Hence, it is quintessential to be patient and diligently follow the guidelines as prescribed by the physician.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the most severe complication that can be faced by an individual with Bell's palsy?

The most severe complication faced by an individual with Bell’s palsy is long-term facial paralysis or drooping. Moreover, this condition, once recovered, can come back within two years of the initial period of diagnosis. This can affect any side of the face.

What is the effect of Bell’s palsy in pregnancy?

Though the reason is unknown, pregnant women are prone to Bell's palsy condition, mostly in the trimester phase. Moreover, pregnant women with conditions like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes have relatively high chances to get affected by Bell’s palsy.