Bell's Palsy is a temporary paralysis of the facial muscles caused by swelling of the 7th cranial nerve due to a viral infection. It affects around 1 in 5000 people annually, most commonly ages 15-45. Symptoms include weakness or paralysis of one side of the face, pain, headaches, and loss of taste. While it usually resolves on its own within a few months, treatments like steroids, antivirals, and physical therapy can help reduce symptoms and speed recovery.

1. By Ji Yoon Kim, Mitchell Mountain, Lydia Heter, and Kaitlyn Patterson

2. Bell’s Palsy is a disease that causes the facial muscles to become weak or paralyzed It is not permanent It is caused by trauma to the 7 th cranial nerve

3. Temporarily weakened or paralysis of one side of the face. Causes trouble smiling or closing the eye Pain on the affected side of the face Headaches and loss of taste also occur Bell’s Palsy also affects the amount of tears and saliva that your body produces

4. The nerve that controls your facial muscles runs through a small bone. When this nerve becomes swollen due to a virus it gets pinched in this small bone and cannot connect correctly to the brain causing paralysis.

5. Bell’s Palsy affects about .02% of the world or 1 in every 5000 people It effects 40,000 Americans every year It effects ages 15 to 45 most commonly It also tends to effect those with weakened immune systems

6. Affects one side of the face by paralyzing nerves Affects the body very quickly People generally wake up to the full extent of Bell’s palsy or have symptoms leading up to him Full paralysis may occur anytime from the first day symptoms appear to two weeks after

7. Bell’s Palsy is a temporary paralysis of the facial muscles It can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to up to 8 months Most people who have it make a full recovery

9. Ramsey Hunt’s disease is similar to Bell’s Palsy Except in Ramsey Hunt’s disease, the virus has been identified The virus is called the Varicella Zoster Virus

10. Protection of the eye during bedtime 75% of patients with Bell’s palsy improve without treatment. Face massage can keep facial muscles from contracting. In extremely rare cases of Bell’s palsy may recommended the surgery.

11. Steroid Medications – reduce inflammation Antiviral Medications – acyclovir Analgesics or moist heat – relieve pain Physical therapy to stimulate facial nerve

12. Yes, there is a cure for Bell’s Palsy. It is most often a temporary condition where the 7 th facial nerves are put under pressure. Usually it will cure itself after a few weeks or a month at most. Facial massages help to keep the facial muscles in good tone. Acupuncture treatment will also help, but it depends on what has caused the paralysis.

13. http://www.med.nyu.edu/patientcare/library/article.html?ChunkIID=22491 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bells-palsy/DS00168/DSECTION=2 http://home.hccnet.nl/rde.bruin/Bell1.jpg http://www.aafp.org/afp/20071001/afp20071001p997-f2.gif