Bell’s Palsy
I chose this pathology because my boyfriend’s brother was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy about 10 years ago at the age of 25. I am interested to know more information about this pathology so I can find out more about his specific condition.
**What is Bell’s Palsy?**
It is the paralysis or weakness of the facial muscles, most often caused by irritation to the facial nerve or what we know as the 7th cranial nerve. Some may think it is caused by a stroke or TIA, but there are no known causes to why this occurs. There are many myths on why Bell’s Palsy transpires, but most believe it is linked to a viral infection from a form of herpes, most commonly what we call cold sores. Some other beliefs of occurrence are headaches, ear infections, the flu, or even diabetes. When inflammation of the facial nerve takes places most patients lose the ability to smile or frown. Some patients may also lose control of their tear ducts or taste buds from the damage to the 7th cranial nerve. Majority of the time only one side of the face is affected. My boyfriend’s brother lost function of only one of his facial nerves and is unable to smile on the left side of his face. He still has the ability to smile on the right side of his face, and did not lose control over his tear ducts or taste.
**Symptoms**
The most obvious symptom is weakness in one side of the face. Symptoms that may be noticed prior to total lose or partial lose of the 7th cranial nerve are drooling and a droopy appearance to the face. Most patients’ do not even notice these symptoms and tend to lose the sensation in one side of their face in about 24 to 48 hours. I know that my boyfriend’s brother just woke up one morning and his face felt somewhat abnormal but he thought nothing of it, that night he went to the ER and was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. It is somewhat of a pathology that just sneaks up on you and one you can’t prevent from happening. Bell’s Palsy generally occurs after the age of 15 and before the age of 60. Men and women can both experience the symptoms. Pregnant woman and patients with high blood pressure are at a slightly higher risk of developing this condition.
**Treatment**
There is no specific cure or treatment for this pathology. Each patient is affected differently. Some symptoms can be mild and the patient could be back to normal in 2 weeks and other patients may never go back to normal. In most cases the patient does not receive any treatment at all and still has the ability to recover completely. In extreme cases surgery may take place. Today, majority of patients diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy are prescribed a drug known as prednisone. It is a type of steroid that is believed to reduce the inflammation of the nerve and can possibly shorten the recovery time. My boyfriend’s brother is on this medication but continues to experience the same symptoms he has the past 10 years. The doctors he has seen are unsure if he will ever fully recover from this condition, but all tend to believe he will receive partial control of his smile someday.
I chose this pathology because my boyfriend’s brother was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy about 10 years ago at the age of 25. I am interested to know more information about this pathology so I can find out more about his specific condition.
**What is Bell’s Palsy?**
It is the paralysis or weakness of the facial muscles, most often caused by irritation to the facial nerve or what we know as the 7th cranial nerve. Some may think it is caused by a stroke or TIA, but there are no known causes to why this occurs. There are many myths on why Bell’s Palsy transpires, but most believe it is linked to a viral infection from a form of herpes, most commonly what we call cold sores. Some other beliefs of occurrence are headaches, ear infections, the flu, or even diabetes. When inflammation of the facial nerve takes places most patients lose the ability to smile or frown. Some patients may also lose control of their tear ducts or taste buds from the damage to the 7th cranial nerve. Majority of the time only one side of the face is affected. My boyfriend’s brother lost function of only one of his facial nerves and is unable to smile on the left side of his face. He still has the ability to smile on the right side of his face, and did not lose control over his tear ducts or taste.
**Symptoms**
The most obvious symptom is weakness in one side of the face. Symptoms that may be noticed prior to total lose or partial lose of the 7th cranial nerve are drooling and a droopy appearance to the face. Most patients’ do not even notice these symptoms and tend to lose the sensation in one side of their face in about 24 to 48 hours. I know that my boyfriend’s brother just woke up one morning and his face felt somewhat abnormal but he thought nothing of it, that night he went to the ER and was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. It is somewhat of a pathology that just sneaks up on you and one you can’t prevent from happening. Bell’s Palsy generally occurs after the age of 15 and before the age of 60. Men and women can both experience the symptoms. Pregnant woman and patients with high blood pressure are at a slightly higher risk of developing this condition.
**Treatment**
There is no specific cure or treatment for this pathology. Each patient is affected differently. Some symptoms can be mild and the patient could be back to normal in 2 weeks and other patients may never go back to normal. In most cases the patient does not receive any treatment at all and still has the ability to recover completely. In extreme cases surgery may take place. Today, majority of patients diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy are prescribed a drug known as prednisone. It is a type of steroid that is believed to reduce the inflammation of the nerve and can possibly shorten the recovery time. My boyfriend’s brother is on this medication but continues to experience the same symptoms he has the past 10 years. The doctors he has seen are unsure if he will ever fully recover from this condition, but all tend to believe he will receive partial control of his smile someday.
Picture of a man with Bell's Palsy trying to smile
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