2. DEFINITION
Bell's palsy is a form of facial
paralysis resulting from a
dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII
(the facial nerve) that results in the
inability to control facial muscles
on the affected side
3. INCIDENCE
Bell's palsy affects about 30,000 -
40,000 people a year in the United
States.
4. ETIOLOGY
The cause is often not clear. A type of
herpes infection called herpes zoster
(herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering
skin rash due to the varicella-zoster
virus, the virus that causes
chickenpox might be involved. Other
conditions that may cause Bell's
palsy include:
HIV infection
Lyme disease
Middle ear infection
Sarcoidosis
5. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
A cold is the starting before the
symptoms of Bell's palsy begin.
Symptoms are almost always on
one side of the face only. They may
range from mild to severe.
The face will feel stiff or pulled to
one side, and may look different
6. Contd..
Difficulty in closing one eye
Difficulty in eating and drinking; food
falls out of one side of the mouth
Drooling due to lack of control over
the muscles of the face
Drooping of the face, such as the
eyelid or corner of the mouth
Problems in smiling, or making facial
expressions
Twitching or weakness of the muscles
in the face
7. Other symptoms
Dry eye, which may lead to eye
sores or infections
Dry mouth
Headache
Loss of sense of taste
Sound that is louder in one ear
(hyperacusis)
Twitching in face
8. DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES
Bell's palsy can be diagnosed just by
taking a health history and doing a
complete physical examination.
If it is doubtful that a brain tumor is
causing your symptoms, you may
need:
CT scan of the head
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of
the head
Sometimes, a test to check the nerves
that supply the muscles of your face:
9. CONTD..
Electromyography (EMG) is a test
that checks the health of the
muscles and the nerves that control
the muscles
Nerve conduction test
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is
a test to see how fast electrical
signals move through a nerve
10. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
Lubricating eye drops or eye
ointments to keep the surface of
the eye moist.
Advice to wear an eye patch while
you sleep.
Corticosteroids may reduce
swelling around the facial nerve.
Antivirals,(such as acyclovir)
Mild analgestics to releive pain
11. Contd..
Physiotherapy can be beneficial to
some individuals with Bell’s palsy
as it helps to maintain muscle tone
of the affected facial muscles and
stimulate the facial nerve.
12. Complications
Excess drying of the eye surface,
leading to eye sores or infections.
13. Prevention
There is no known way to prevent
Bell's palsy
