but may take 2 - 3 days to show up.

They do
BELL’S not become more severe after
that.Symptomsare almost always on one side
Definition: Bell's palsy is a form of
only. They may range from mild to
temporary facial paralysis resulting from
severe.The face will feel stiff or pulled to
damage or trauma to one of the facial
one side, and may look different.
nerves.Damage to this nerve causes
weakness or paralysis of these muscles.
Paralysis means that you cannot use the Ri
muscles at all.Known as Facial palsy, ght side Bell’s palsy
Idiopathic peripheral facial palsy, Cranial
mononeuropathy. The incidence of Bell's
palsy increases between the ages of 10 and
30 years. Bell's palsy is least common in
Cause: Bell's palsy involves damage to the
persons younger than 10 years and most
seventh cranial (facial) nerve.Bell's palsy is Other symptoms that may occur:
common in those older than 70 years.
thought to be due to swelling (inflammation) * Dry eye or mouth
of this nerve in the area where it travels
through the bones of the skull.The cause is * Headache

often not clear.You are most likely to get * Loss of sense of taste
Bell's palsy if you are pregnant, diabetic or
* Sound that is louder in one ear
sick with a cold or flu.

* Twitching in face

Symptom: Sometimes you may have a cold

shortly before the symptoms of Bell's palsy
begin.Symptoms most often start suddenly,

Treatment: Recent studies have shown that
steroids such as prednisone -- used to reduce
inflammation and swelling -- are an
effective treatment for Bell's palsy. Other
drugs such as acyclovir -- used to fight viral
herpes infections -- may also have some
benefit in shortening the course of the
disease. Analgesics such as aspirin,
acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may relieve
pain. Because of possible drug interactions,
individuals should always talk to their
doctors before taking any over-the-counter
medicines. Keeping the eye moist and
protecting it from debris and injury,
especially at night, is important. Physical
therapy to stimulate the facial nerve and
help maintain muscle tone may benefit some
individuals.
Exams and test: Often, Bell's palsy can be
diagnosed just by taking a health history and
doing a complete physicalexam. Sometimes,
you will need tests below to check the
nerves that supply the muscles of your face:
* Electromyography (EMG).
* Nerve conduction test.
Outlook (Prognosis): Most cases go away
completely within a few weeks to months.If
you did not lose all of your nerve function
and symptoms began to improve within 3
weeks, you're more likely to regain all or
most of the strength in your facial
muscles.Sometimes, the following
symptoms still may be present:
* Long-term changes in taste
* Spasms of muscles or eyelids
* Weakness that remains in facial
muscles
Prevention:There is no known way to
prevent Bell's palsy.
When to Contact a Medical Professional?
Call your health care provider right away if
your face droops or you have other
symptoms of Bell's palsy. Your health care
provider can rule out other, more serious
conditions, such as stroke.