Information on Bell's Palsy and facial nerve damage.

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy is a neurological disorder that causes the facial muscles on one side of the face to suddenly weaken or become paralyzed. The muscles that close the eye control the tear glands, as well as control one of the salivary glands and the taste buds in front of the tongue are all controlled by the facial nerve. When damage or trauma is caused to the facial nerve, it usually only affects one side of the face.

The electrochemical signals sent from the brain to these muscles travel along the facial nerve. If the facial nerve is disrupted, no signals can get through to these muscles and, depending on how many of the nerve fibers within the facial nerve are involved, the affected half of the face experiences muscle weakness or paralysis and this is what is known as Bell's Palsy.

People with Bell's Palsy experience an interference with normal facial actions and functions such as closing the eye, eating, smiling and their speech may also be slurred. Other symptoms which are present include tearing of the eye, loss of taste, slurred speech, sensitivity to sound, facial paralysis and drooling. This condition occurs suddenly, and usually peaks within 48 hours.

People often think that they are experiencing a stroke, and are not familiar with the milder symptoms of Bell's Palsy that often precede the involvement of the facial muscles.

Bell's Palsy affects about 40,000 people in the United States every year. Bell's Palsy is more common in young adults, the elderly, diabetics and pregnant women. Children are not immune to it but they do tend to recover extremely well. Generally there are no other medical risks associated with this condition but developing Bell's Palsy during pregnancy may be associated with the development of pre-eclampsia.

What are the Symptoms of Bell's Palsy?

The symptoms of Bell's Palsy tend to progress very quickly. The symptoms are often not recognizable at first but will develop over a period of a few days. The warning signs are usually neck pain, pain behind the ear or pain in the back of the head.

What Causes Bell's Palsy?

Though the exact causes of Bell's Palsy are not known, the condition is thought to be brought upon due to inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve. This in turn could be due to:

• Facial Nerve Damage
• Flying
• Lyme Disease caused by Insect Bites
• Chemotherapy
• Traumatic injury to the face or head (such as a skull fracture)
• Myasthenia gravis or tuberculosis
• Viral infections such as herpes, mumps, influenza, a cold, infectious mononucleosis or HIV
• Bacterial infections such as Tuberculosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Chronic disease such as diabetes
• Tumor causing nerve compression
• Stress
• Pregnancy

Bell's Palsy in Children

Bell's Palsy occurring in older children is more common and usually occurs within one to two weeks of a viral infection. Viral infections such as Herpes Simplex 1, Epstein- Barr and Lyme disease are known as the two major culprits for Bell's Palsy. The occurrence of Bell's Palsy is said to be the result of an allergic reaction to one of these viruses.

Bell's Palsy During Pregnancy

Bell's Palsy is more common in women who are pregnant than not pregnant. Bell's palsy is associated with preeclampsia, a form of toxemia which causes high blood pressure and swollen ankles in the advanced stages of pregnancy. While Bell's Palsy causes no immediate risk for mother or child, preeclampsia is a serious condition and must be watched carefully by a physician.

Alternatively, some women suffer from Bell's Palsy right after childbirth, this is due to the extreme physical and emotional stress of labor and the condition usually remedies itself within a couple weeks. New mothers should feel no other side effects other than facial pain and paralysis, and will be able to perform motherly duties including breastfeeding. If medication is the treatment option for Bell's Palsy, it is important to make sure the medication isn't passed through breast milk.

Diagnosing Bell's Palsy

The diagnosis of Bell's Palsy is determined by the patient's medical history, a thorough physical examination and laboratory tests. Tests for diabetes, Lyme disease, myasthenia gravis, sarcoidosis, cancer, facial tumors, AIDS and Guillain Barre might also be performed to rule out other conditions that may cause facial paralysis.

Treatments for Bell's Palsy

In mild cases of Bell's Palsy, treatment is not actually required, and the nerve will heal by itself in due course. However, more severe cases of this condition require treatment. Various types of treatments such as conventional medicine and complementary may be effective if integrated into a broader treatment plan.

Massage Therapy for Bell's Palsy

A twenty minute face massage should be a daily routine for those suffering with Bell's Palsy. A face massage can help to keep the paralyzed area of the face stimulated plus soothe any pain associated with the condition.

Using a circular motion, work down from just above the eyebrows the chin, paying special attention to the area right below the cheekbone. Preferably massaging exercises should be done at least twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

Diet for Relief of Bell's Palsy

Vitamin A that is found in foods like liver, eggs, whole milk and other protein rich foods helps to combat viruses thus relieving symptoms of Bell's Palsy. Copper which is essential for nerve health can also help ease symptoms of Bell's Palsy. Copper can be found in beans, nuts, potatoes, dark leafy greens, dried fruits such as prunes, cocoa and black pepper.

Some people suffering from numbness around the mouth find it hard to eat solid foods; in this case, it is important to still get the nutrients needed to combat Bell's Palsy. Smoothies consisting of fruits and veggies, with a small addition of protein powder can help energize the body and mind while dealing with Bell's Palsy.

Tips for How to Deal with Bell's Palsy