Bell's palsy image

Bell’s palsy image

Overview

Acondition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face. It causes paralysis on one side of the face, drooping face, headache, loss of taste, increased sensitivity to sound, dry eye and dry mouth.

Symptoms

If you’re experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.

Major symptoms include

  • Sudden paralysis on one side of the face, including the muscles of the forehead
  • Difficulty in closing eyelids and smiling
  • Drooling
  • A decrease in the ability to taste
  • Difficulty in chewing
  • Pain or numbness behind the ears
  • Headache

→ Common treatment options

→ How is this diagnosed?

Causes

– The direct cause is not known. Most of the cases are associated with viral infections. Those are:

  • Herpes simplex (Cold sores and genital Herpes)
  • Herpes zoster (Chickenpox and shingles)
  • EpsteinBarr (Mononucleosis)
  • Cytomegalovirus infections
  • Adenovirus (Respiratory illnesses)
  • Rubella (German measles)
  • Mumps virus (Mumps)
  • Influenza B (Flu)
  • Coxsackievirus (Handfootandmouth disease)
  • The other reasons could be
  • Trauma
  • Fever
  • Tooth extractions

– The risk factors include:

  • Pregnant women who are in thrid trimester or in the first week after the delivery
  • Diabetes
  • Upper respiratory infection