Bell's Palsy is a temporary facial paralysis caused by damage to the facial nerve, resulting in an inability to control facial muscles on one side of the face. It is named after Charles Bell, the 19th century surgeon who first identified it. Symptoms include facial drooping, eye closing issues, and changes to tearing and saliva production. While most people start improving within a few weeks, full recovery can take 3-6 months. It affects around 40,000 people in the US each year. Potential long-term complications include disfigurement, taste abnormalities, and eye or facial muscle spasms. The cause is believed to be inflammation that puts pressure on the facial nerve.

1. Bell’s Palsy By Lauren Viola, Andie Horan, David Na,