Did one side of your face suddenly droop? Is this Bell's Palsy? (Bell's Palsy) Let's talk!

Imagine waking up one morning and looking in the mirror and seeing that one side of your face is numb, the corner of your mouth is drooping, and you have difficulty closing your eyes... That's a really scary experience, isn't it? Many people are afraid that this is a stroke. But that's not always the case. Today we're talking about a condition called Bell's Palsy , which causes symptoms like these and is caused by an unknown cause.

What exactly is Bell's Palsy?

Simply put, Bell's Palsy is a condition where the muscles on one side of your face suddenly become weak or paralyzed. This can cause one side of your face to droop or feel stiff. But the best part is that most of the time, these symptoms are temporary .

Although the exact cause is unknown, doctors believe it is caused by damage to the seventh cranial nerve, which controls the muscles in our face. When this nerve becomes inflamed, it becomes compressed as it passes through the very narrow bones in the skull, impairing its function.

Who is more likely to develop this condition?

Although Bell's palsy can affect anyone, it is most common in people between the ages of 15 and 60. It affects both men and women equally. However, there are some conditions that increase the risk.

You are slightly more likely to develop Bell's Palsy if you have the following conditions:

• During pregnancy, especially during the last 3 months or within the first week after delivery.
• If you have diabetes .
• If you have frequent respiratory infections such as colds and flu.
• If you have autoimmune diseases that weaken the immune system.
• If you have cold sores .
• If you have high blood pressure.
• Obesity.
• High blood pressure during pregnancy (Preeclampsia).

Bell's Palsy and Stroke - Don't confuse the two!

This is the thing that scares most people. When one side of the face goes numb, they think it's a stroke. True, the symptoms are somewhat similar. In both cases, one side of the face goes numb, and it can be difficult to close your eyes. But there are clear differences between the two.

The table below will help you understand the difference between the two.

What are the symptoms of Bell's Palsy?

These symptoms appear suddenly, within a few hours. You can go to bed at night without any problems, and when you wake up in the morning, you can see a difference in your face.

The main features are:

• Weakening or sagging of the muscles on one side of the face.
• Difficulty closing the eye on the affected side.
• Mouth pulled to one side when smiling.

In addition, these features can also be seen:

• Saliva escapes from the mouth.
• Pain behind the ear or in the jaw area.
• Headache.
• Loss of taste.
• Dry eyes and mouth.
• Hearing sounds in the ears (Tinnitus).
• Inability to tolerate loud noises.
• Difficulty speaking, eating, and drinking.

Let's learn about diagnosis and treatment.

How do you find this, Doctor?

There is no specific lab test to diagnose Bell's Palsy. Your doctor will examine you and have you make various facial expressions (smile, close your eyes tightly, frown). Often, your symptoms will help you diagnose Bell's Palsy. However, you will also need to rule out other conditions, such as stroke, middle ear infection, or Lyme disease.

For this, tests such as these may be ordered:

• Blood tests: Check for other infections.
• Electromyography (EMG): Checks nerve function and predicts how quickly the injury will heal.
• MRI or CT scan: To make sure there are no other causes, such as a brain tumor.

What are the treatments?

The good news is that most people with Bell's Palsy recover completely without treatment. However, there are some treatments that can help speed up recovery.

1. Corticosteroids (e.g. Prednisone): These medications reduce the swelling of the inflamed nerve and help it heal faster. They are most effective when started as soon as symptoms begin.

2. Antiviral drugs: Drugs like Acyclovir are sometimes given along with corticosteroids, especially in severe cases of the disease.

3. Eye drops: If you can't close your eyes properly, you should use eye drops or ointment to prevent your eyes from drying out. It's also a good idea to wear an eye patch to protect your eyes from dust.

4. Physical therapy: Physical therapy exercises can help strengthen the muscles in your face and regain their coordination. You can also massage your face with your fingertips.

5. Surgery: This is done very rarely, only if symptoms persist or complications develop.

How long will this condition last? What are the signs of recovery?

Symptoms may worsen slightly during the first 48-72 hours after they start. But you should gradually start to feel better over the next few weeks. Most people recover completely in about 3 months .

The first signs of healing are that the drooping of the face gradually decreases. Then, movements such as smiling and closing the eyes gradually begin to return.

For some people (a very small number) the nerve may not heal properly and may have long-term effects. For example, involuntary movements when smiling, and a scar on the face. But remember, most people recover completely over time.