Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes a temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face. It can occur when the nerve that controls your facial muscles becomes inflamed, swollen, or compressed. 

The condition causes one side of your face to droop or become stiff. You may have difficulty smiling or closing your eye on the affected side. In most cases, Bell’s palsy is temporary, and symptoms usually go away within a few weeks or months .

Although Bell’s palsy can occur at any age, the condition is more common among people between ages 16 and 60. 

 Causes of  Bell’s palsy

Bell’s palsy occurs when the seventh cranial nerve becomes swollen or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. The exact cause of this nerve damage is unknown, but many medical researchers Trusted Source believe it’s most likely triggered by a viral infection.

 The viruses and bacteria that have been linked to the development of Bell’s palsy include: 

  • Herpes simplex, which causes cold sores and genital herpes
  •  HIV, which damages the immune systems 
  • Sarcoidosis which causes organ inflammation
  •  Herpes zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles 
  • Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis 
  • Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection caused by infected.

Signs and Symptoms of Bell's palsy

The symptoms of Bell’s palsy can vary in severity, from mild weakness to total paralysis. The more inflammation and compression the facial nerve is exposed to, the more severe the paralysis tends to be, and the longer it takes for the nerve to heal and regain function.

 The symptoms of Bell’s palsy can develop 1 to 2 weeks after you have a:

  • Cold 
  • Ear infection 
  • Eye  infection 

 Other signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include :

  • Facial weakness
  •  A droopy mouth 
  • An inability to make facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning 
  • Difficulty pronouncing certain words
  • Dry eye and mouth 
  • Altered taste 
  • Drooling sensitivity to sound
  • Difficulty eating and drinking 
  • Muscle twitches in the face 
  • Irritation of the eye on the involved side

 Risk factors for Bell’s palsy

Your risk of developing Bell’s palsy increases if you:

  • Are pregnant
  • Have diabetes
  • Have a lung infection
  • Have a family history of the condition

How is Bell’s palsy treated?

In most cases, Bell’s palsy symptoms improve without treatment. However, it can take several weeks or months for the muscles in your face to regain their normal strength.

The following treatments may help in your recovery.

Medication:

 Your doctor may recommend medications such as:

  • Corticosteroid drugs, which reduce inflammation
  • Antiviral or antibacterial medication, which may be prescribed if a virus or bacteria causes your Bell’s palsy
  • Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which can help relieve mild pain
  • Eye drops to keep your affected eye well lubricated
  • An eye patch (for your dry eye)a warm, 
  • Moist towel over your face to relieve pain facial massage 

Physiotherapy treatment:

Exercise to stimulate your facial muscles

Facial Exercises

  • Jaw and mouth movements
  • Movement of the eyebrow
  • Pucking lips
  • Raise or lower the lips
  • Lip closure
  • Eye movements
  • Smiling while engaging the cheeks
  • Sucking the inner cheek between the teeth
  • Frowning
  • Facial expressions
  • Forehead wrinkling

Facial Massage

  • Lower Facial Muscles: Mouth exercises often require a patient to grasp the center of the lips with the thumb and index finger, then push the lips toward the face and move the lips into a smile position. This helps a patient strengthen the lower facial muscles and regain the ability to naturally smile, frown, and make other facial expressions.
  • Forehead: Massaging the upper portion of the face sometimes helps a Bell’s palsy patient reduce muscle weakness in the forehead.
  • Cheeks: Using the fingertips to perform a circular motion around the cheeks may help a Bell’s palsy patient increase muscle movement in the cheeks.

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