Bells Palsy - Facial Paralysis

Facial Paralysis

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Causes | Symptoms | Recovery | Treatment

What Is Bells Palsy / Facial Paralysis?
Bell's Palsy is an idiopathic " viral " attack on the facial nerve occurring in approximately 4 persons out of 10,000.

The virus most responsible for this attack is probably the Herpes Simplex-1 Virus ( known as HS1). Recent studies presented at the VIII International Symposium of the Facial Nerve in Matsuyama Japan in April 1997 showed strong clinical evidence that HS1 is the primary cause of previously known idiopathic Bell's Palsy, with nearly 85% of all Bell's patients studies were found to have this virus present.

Other Causes of Facial Paralysis:

Herpes Zoster or Shingles Virus
Post surgical paralysis following removal of Brain Tumor ( Acoustic Neuroma) or other tumors, i.e. parotid, glomus jugulare, facial, etc.
Post Trauma following automobile or other injurious trauma
Lymes Disease

What Are The Symptoms of Bells Palsy?
The paralysis is usually unilateral ( one-side of the face) but is it not uncommon for bilateral patients to appear (both sides of the face)

Most paralyses are a once in a lifetime event, but every clinician has seen many patients with a long history of multiple attacks.

The residual problems associated with Bell's Palsy/ Facial Paralysis are many, including, but not limited to:

Asymmetrical Smile
Synkinesis ( involuntary movement associated with a voluntary movement )
Tearing
Inability to whistle or pucker lips
Frozen nasalis muscle in area of nostrils
Buccinator paralysis (food caught in cheek of paralyzed side)
Drooling of liquids from corner of paralyzed mouth
Inability to close eye
Abnormal Blink
Hyperacussis ( perceiving sounds as unduly loud )
Excessive perspiration
Weakened facial musculature
Dry eye
Lack of wrinkling on forehead of paralyzed side
Affected taste
Affected speech
Tightness / swelling of facial muscle
Facial / acoustic pain

The symptoms ( or residuals ) usually appear severe immediately following attack. Many patients fear stroke due to unilateral paralysis and rush to the emergency room. They usually receive a dose of steroids to reduce swelling and pain, but from that point' forward there has been very little offered to the sufferer to assist in the recovery of his/her face.

Recovery & Residual Cases
Statistics have shown that about 50% of all sufferers have COMPLETE SPONTANEOUS RECOVERY within the first 30 days WITHOUT ANY TREATMENTS OR INTERVENTIONS. Another 20% recover between months 1 and 3, another 5-10% between months 4 and 6.

While there has been some reported recovery after six months, is has rarely been complete and patients residual after 6 months usually remain residual with any serious further spontaneous corrections.

Patients with moderate or severe problems after month 6 are usually considered " residual "and generally will require some form of facial muscle rehabilitation in order to affect some recovery.

Treatment
For Very Recent Cases of Bells Palsy

The recent research on Herpes Simplex-1 has led to the production of anti-viral medications which have been shown to be somewhat effective against Bell's Palsy PROVIDED the medication is administered within a window of 5 to 6 days following attack. After that time the anti-viral medications are not sufficiently effective.

Thus it is imperative that all new Bell's Palsy patients make the proper decision regarding the direction they take within the first few days. To insure what that direction should be, you are invited to call 1-888-30BELLS and someone will speak with you about your problem and will try to refer you to a qualified otolaryngologist-facial nerve specialist in your area.

Treatment
For Residual (Post 6 Months) Cases of Bells Palsy

Treatment protocols for residual ( post 6 month ) paralysis vary. Usually video photography, motor nerve conduction velocity studies, and blink reflex tests are employed to monitor scientifically the patient's progress.

The National Centers For Facial Paralysis, Inc. are offices dedicated to the rehabilitation of paralyzed residual facial muscle. You can reach any office through our main telephone #

http://www.BellsPalsy.com
1-888-30BELLS