Named after the physician who first discovered it, the disorder describes the condition where there is a gradual or sudden onset of paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. In many patients, there are events that may have contributed to developing this disorder. They include; stress, fatigue, common cold, stiff neck or shoulder on the affected side. The 7th cranial nerve is involved which supplies the facial muscles.
Causes of Bell's Palsy
The cause of this disease is unknown. The paralysis may be caused by swelling of the facial nerve caused by a virus, an autoimmune disease, or a decrease in blood flow and pressure on the facial nerve as it passes through the temporal bone of the skull.
Signs and Symptoms of Bell's Palsy
Bell's palsy produces sudden paralysis on one side of the face. The muscles to the eyelid are involved, and it is difficult or impossible to close the eye and cover the cornea. Pain may develop behind the ear on the affected side. The involved side of the face appears flat and expressionless. Distorted smiles and frowns occur and drooling develops from the weakened mouth. The facial nerve has some of the taste sensation for the tongue traveling with it. This results in loss of taste on half of the tongue. Tear formation is affected as well as increased sensitivity to sound due to weakness of the stapedeus muscle.
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