Bell's Palsy
Daya Neuro Physio & Rehabilitation Center
Bell’s palsy causes sudden temporary weakness in your facial muscles. This makes half of your face appear to droop. Your smile is one-sided and your eye on that side resists closing. Bell’s palsy is also known as facial palsy that can occur at any age.
The exact cause is unknown. It’s believed to be the result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of your face or it might be a reaction that occurs after a viral infection.
For most people, Bell’s palsy is temporary. Symptoms usually start to improve within few weeks with complete recovery in about six months.
A small number of people continue to have some of Bell’s palsy symptoms for lifetime. Rarely, Bell’s palsy can recur.
Signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy come on suddenly and may include:
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Rapid onset of mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of your face occurring within hours to days. Facial droop and difficulty making in facial expressions such as closing your eye or smiling.
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Drooling, pain around the jaw or pain in or behind your ear on the affected side .
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Increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side headache.
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A decrease in your ability to taste, changes in the number of tears and saliva you produce.
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In rare cases, Bell's palsy can affect the nerves on both sides of your face.
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Trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying.