What is the long-term outlook for people with Bell’s palsy? Facial droop and difficulty making facial expressions, such as closing your eye or smiling 3. Facial swelling There is some evidence that the cold sore (herpes simplex) virus or the chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus causes most cases of Bell's palsy. Find out more about this type of…, A new study using epidural electrical stimulation was found to help paraplegic men to voluntarily move their legs, providing hope to six million…. (The main side-effects from steroids occur if you have to take them long-term - which is not the case for this condition.). Corneal ulceration: When eyelids cannot completely shut, the protective and lubricating tear film of the eye may become ineffective. If you cannot close your eyelids fully, the front of your eye is at risk of becoming damaged. For example: In particular, Bell's palsy is uncommon in children under 10 years old. If all other causes can be excluded, the doctor will diagnose Bell’s palsy. Difficulty speaking They will check the patient’s head, neck, and ears. The problem might be the other way round – when the person closes one eye, the side of the mouth lifts involuntarily. Pain in areas starting to “wake up” may occur, or may not. Being a very strong, proactive person, she searched for a treatment that might cure Bells Palsy. Tips to Help You Think Clearly. The facial nerve also controls the orbicularis oris muscle. The Bells Palsy Information site is dedicated to the site’s original creator, 
Jan Opoliner. Bell’s palsy involves a weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. They do no harm there and cause no symptoms. Those who develop the condition also complain of inability to close their eyes, dryness of the eye, loss of taste sensation, an inability to smile and drooling and facial distortion on the same side as the affected nerve. A course of steroid tablets started within 72 hours of it starting improves the chance of full recovery even further. Most of the signs and symptoms of Bell's palsy begin suddenly and peak within two days, but they may linger as a facial distortion. This may be more likely if you have close relatives who have also had Bell's palsy. See if you are eligible for a free NHS flu jab today. Other conditions that may be confused with Bell's palsy. Chewing food on the affected side may be a problem. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. When the facial nerve is affected by inflammation, the muscles that it controls could suddenly become weak and may even become paralyzed. The Bells Palsy Information Site has become her legacy, helping those who suffer with facial paralysis. You may not be able to wrinkle your forehead, whistle or blow out your cheek. However, if damage to the facial nerve is severe, some complications are possible, including: Misdirected re-growth of nerve fibers: Nerve fibers re-grow in an irregular way. In 2000 she began researching Bells Palsy, calling upon her medical knowledge and people she knew in the medical world, both Doctors and Facial Specialists. The affected side of the face tends to droop. Ive had BP for 2 months. When this muscle becomes weak due to Bell's palsy, it may be difficult to close the eye. Roughly, from the studies, it seems that if you do not take steroids you have about a 15 in 20 chance of full recovery of the nerve function. While the muscles are paralyzed, it’s natural to try to eat, drink and speak, etc., as well as you can. You may have damage to the seventh cranial nerve. It involves the muscles in the forehead, eye, cheek, and mouth. Recovery can be gradual, rapid, or hit occasional plateaus. In longer recoveries, other cranial nerves may try to take over for the 7th nerve, growing into passageways formerly occupied by the 7th nerve. It is possible that taking a course of steroids plus a course of antiviral medicine may work a little better than taking a course of steroids alone. Or you may become accustomed to compensating without using the lazy muscles (learned disuse). The nerve then partly, or fully, stops working until the inflammation goes. Nose runs This may cause a watery or dry eye. With more extensive damage, other factors begin to effect recovery. Others say that sounds seem much louder than normal in the days before they see any other symptoms. People experiencing paralysis of the face should see a doctor and exclude more serious causes such as a stroke. The result is “crossed wiring” and synkinesis, which is further described in the next section. Can you prevent breakthrough bleeding on the pill? 2016 Jul 187:CD001942. The specialist will examine the patient and may also order the following tests: Most patients make a full recovery within 9 months. Last medically reviewed on December 4, 2017, Waking up with a swollen lip can happen for a number of reasons. About 1 in 60 people have a Bell's palsy at some stage in their life. Some particles of virus remain dormant (inactive) in the nerve roots. Patients with recurrences, particularly if within close time frames, should also be re-evaluated as a precautionary measure. The symptoms of Bell’s palsy tend to come on all of a sudden. Choosing soft foods, such as yogurt can also help. Other viruses that have been linked to Bell’s palsy include: Links have been found between migraine and facial and limb weakness. 2015 Nov 911:CD001869. Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Bell’s palsy symptoms typically peak within a few days, although it can take as long as 2 weeks. Ear symptoms are due to a branch that emerges from the facial nerve and passes through the ear. information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or This is the main symptom of Bell's palsy. Occasionally, people feel pain in their ear or behind their ear. Problems with eating: If there are difficulties with swallowing, the individual should chew food well and eat slowly. These tests may include blood tests to check for the presence of a bacterial or viral infection. The onset of paralysis is sudden with Bells palsy and Ramsey Hunt syndrome, although symptoms can worsen during the early days. In the years since its inception, thousands of people have come to the BPIS and benefitted from Jan’s work, particularly her creating and maintaining the website single-handedly. The steroid tablet most commonly used is called prednisolone. Bell’s palsy occurs when the seventh cranial nerve becomes swollen or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. The following treatments may help in your recovery. Patient Platform Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. You should not rely on any Nutmeg is a popular spice, but consuming it in larger amounts can give a person a “high” similar to that of some hallucinogenic drugs. Hypertonic muscles Sudden headache, loss…, An eyelid twitch is when your eyelid muscles involuntarily spasm repetitively. Synkinesis (oral/ocular well known, but can affect any muscle group) As mentioned, there is a good chance of full recovery without any treatment. The facial nerve controls the buccinator muscle, located within the cheeks. Inability to close one eye. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001942.pub5. Two facial nerves each control one side of the face. Treatment with a hormone called prednisolone can speed up recovery. The patient is taught a series of exercises which strengthen the facial muscles. If the facial nerve is inflamed, it will press against the cheekbone or may pinch in the narrow gap. The exact cause of this inflammation is not yet known, but many believe it is due to viral infection because many people were affected by an infection in the upper respiratory tract before they developed Bell's palsy. Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox®) may help if spasm develops in the facial muscles. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? She spent countless hours reading, compiling and organizing her research. A headache, neck pain, problems remembering and difficulty maintaining balance or a sense of clumsiness may occur. The symptoms and signs of Bell's palsy can be different from one person to another. It can occur when the nerve that controls your facial muscles becomes inflamed, swollen, or compressed. Registered number: 10004395 Registered office: Fulford Grange, Micklefield Lane, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BA. The symptoms of Bell's palsy may develop suddenly and reach their peak in no time (in usually 48 hours). In most cases, Bell’s palsy is temporary and symptoms usually go away after a few weeks. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. The condition causes one side of your face to droop or become stiff. Registered in England and Wales. Two facial nerves each control one side of the face. What could be causing your pins and needles? Both may increase the risk of damage or infection in the eye. See the separate leaflet called Stroke for more details. Symptoms often appear first thing one morning. She saw eight doctors, had many treatments, some harmful and was amazed that so little was known about Bells Palsy. Therefore, your doctor may advise one or more of the following until the eyelids and tear production recover: For the small number of people where the facial weakness does not recover fully and remains unsightly, some techniques may be considered. Is it... Assess your symptoms online with our free symptom checker. Common Symptoms of Bell's Palsy. The weakness may also affect saliva and tear production, and the sense of taste. As this symptom may not appear straight away, it is advisable to wait a day before driving or operating machinery. Difficulty eating and drinking This website continues in her honor. With treatment, the chance of full recovery is improved (see below). You should never self-diagnose Bell’s palsy. Unlike skeletal muscles, facial muscles lack spindles. Book an appointment today to see what treatment options are available near you. Other conditions should be carefully ruled out in children who develop facial weakness. Electromyography (EMG). Muscles become more flaccid when tired, or during minor illness