Facing Up To Bell's Palsy...

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Bells palsy is a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. It's caused by trauma to the cranial nerve, and is sometimes associated with pregnancy or a virus infection. However, it is not permanent but can strike anyone at any age. The condition is named after Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who first described it 200 years ago.

Bells palsy is more prevelant than generally believed. Worldwide statistics set the incidence at approximately .02% of the population (with geographical variations). In human terms this is 1 in every 5000 people, and 40,000 Americans every year. Older people are more likely to be afflicted, but children are not immune though they tend to recover well from it. Until recently, its cause was unknown in most cases, but it has now been related to both Lyme disease and Herpes simplex.

People often ask if Bells Palsy can affect other parts of the body. However this is not a reason for concern as it is confined to the facial areas. If there is numbness in other body areas it is not as a result of Bells Palsy and further testing should be done.

Another question is can bellspalsy affect both sides of the face. It is possible but very rare affecting only 1% of sufferers. With facial palsy on both sides of the face it's important to rule out all other possibilities with thorough diagnostic tests.

There are certain conditions that do increase the chances of having bell's palsy. Diabetics are more than 4 times more likely to develop Bells Palsy than the overall population. The last few months of pregnancy is also considered to be a time of increased risk for bellspalsy. also conditions that compromise the immune system such as HIV or sarcoidosis increase the odds of facial paralysis occurring and recurring.

First time sufferers often do not recognise the onset of bells palsy. the majority of people either wake up to find they have it, or have symptoms such as a dry eye or tingling around their lips that progress to classic Bell's Palsy within hours. In general the severity of paralysis peaks within several days of it's onset - or at the most between 2  to 3 weeks.  A warning sign may be neck pain, or pain in or behind the ear prior to the onset.

Recovery from Bells Palsy is complete in about 50% of people. Another 35% make a good recovery within 12 months.

The possibility of recurrance of bellspalsy is estimated to be between 4% - 14% within a 10 year timeframe. As more is being learned about the condition these figures are dropping.

Finally, please make sure that you are under a doctor's care. If your symptoms progress, make sure that you are checked out for Multiple Sclerosis.
Bell's Palsy