Bell's Palsy

What is Bell's palsy?

Bell's palsy (facial palsy) is a temporary paralysis of the facial nerve, which is caused by damage to the 7th facial nerve. The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, runs from a narrow bony canal (fallopian canal) inside the skull, below the ears to the muscles on each side of the face. For most of its course, the nerve is surrounded by this bony shield.

There is a nerve 7 on each side of the face, so each facial nerve connects to the muscles on the same side of the face, including the nerves that control the opening and closing of the eyes, raise and lower the eyebrows, and make the lips in different shapes. A variety of facial expressions, such as laughter and frowning, conveys a message.

Facial shape in Bell's palsy
When a person suffers from Bell's palsy or facial nerve palsy, the function of the facial nerve is disturbed, and as a result, it causes a disturbance in the transmission of messages from the brain to the facial muscles. This disorder causes muscle weakness or paralysis and facial numbness.

Bell's palsy is named after the 19th century Scottish surgeon, Sir Charles Bell, who described the facial nerve and its relationship to the disease. This disorder, which is not related to stroke, is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Generally, Bell's palsy affects only one pair of facial nerves and one side of the face, however, in rare cases, it can affect both sides of the face.

Signs and symptoms
Because the facial nerve has many functions and is very complex, damage to the nerve or its dysfunction can cause many problems. The symptoms of Bell's palsy can vary from person to person and its severity varies from slight weakness to complete paralysis. The symptoms of this disease can include stretching, weakness and paralysis of one side of the face or rarely both sides of the face. Other symptoms of this disease include drooping of the eyelid and tilting of the corner of the mouth, drooling, dry eyes or mouth. , taste disorder and excessive tears in one eye. Most of these symptoms, which usually start suddenly and peak within 48 hours, cause significant tilting of the face. Other symptoms of Bell's palsy or facial nerve can include things such as pain and discomfort around the jaw and back. ear, whistling in one or both ears, headache, loss of sense of taste, hypersensitivity to sound on the affected side, slurred speech, confusion, and difficulty eating or drinking.

Causes and reasons
The main cause of Bell's palsy is not known. Bell's palsy occurs when the nerve that controls the facial muscles becomes swollen, inflamed, or compressed. As a result, it causes weakness or paralysis.

Is there a relationship between stress and facial palsy?
Some researchers believe that stress can reduce the immune system and make a person prone to facial paralysis, but it is not the main cause of Bell's palsy.

What is the possible cause of Bell's palsy?

However, the exact cause of this injury remains unknown. Most scientists believe that viral infections such as viral meningitis or the common cold virus (herpes simplex) can cause this disease. They believe that the facial nerve becomes swollen and inflamed in response to the infection and puts pressure on the fallopian tube, thereby causing ischemia (restriction of oxygen and blood supply to nerve cells). In some minor cases (where recovery is quick), only the myelin sheath of the nerve is damaged. The myelin sheath is a covering made of fat that acts as insulation on the nerve fibers in the brain. This disease is also associated with diseases such as influenza or flu-like illness, headache, chronic middle ear infection, high blood pressure, diabetes, Sarcoidosis, Lyme disease, tumor and injuries such as skull fracture or facial injury have been associated.
Cold air and face contact with cold air will make a person susceptible to facial paralysis.

Suspected people
Bell's palsy affects 40,000 Americans every year. It affects men and women equally and can occur at any age, but is less common in people under 15 and over 60. Bell's palsy disproportionately affects people with diabetes or upper respiratory illnesses such as the flu or the common cold. People who are stressed are also more prone to facial palsy.

The following will speed up recovery:
Reduce stress and worry
Adequate sleep and rest
Taking the right medicine and injecting B12
Protect your eyes from damage with artificial drops.
Drink enough fluids.