Bell's Palsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Bell’s palsy, also known as idiopathic facial paralysis, usually starts suddenly and gets worse quickly. The facial muscles on one side of the face become weak or paralyzed, and it’s difficult to close your eye, smile or frown with that side of your face. With time, people with Bell’s palsy usually have full strength and movement return to their face, but often not all of the feeling returns to their skin on the affected side of their face.

What is it?

Bell 's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of your face. There are two types of Bell 's palsy: acute (temporary) and chronic (long-term). The cause isn't always known but it may be related to a viral infection or an injury to the facial nerve. The symptoms are usually temporary but some people experience long-term problems with their face muscles. Some people recover fully from Bell 's palsy while others have lasting effects such as drooping eyelids, difficulty closing their eye all the way, or speaking with a lisp.

The different types of Bell’s palsy

Bell 's palsy is a condition where a person develops weakness or paralysis on the affected side of their face. They may also experience drooping eyelids, dry mouth and difficulty controlling eye movements. Bell 's palsy can last anywhere from weeks to years. 

There are two types of Bell 's palsy: acute (which involves sudden onset) and chronic (which occurs over time). There is no cure for Bell 's palsy but there are treatments that you can try to reduce the symptoms.

1) Acute Bell ’ s palsy 

2) Chronic Bell ’ s palsy 

Why does it happen?

Bell 's palsy is caused by the sudden, brief paralysis of the facial nerve in just one side of the face. The condition can also be called idiopathic facial paralysis. It can happen at any age but most often occurs in age  between 20-40 years old. 

There are many different causes for Bell 's palsy. One possible cause is damage to the seventh cranial nerve as it leaves the brain stem. A problem with a blood vessel near your brain could also lead to Bell 's palsy. 

Other possible causes include Lyme disease or shingles, which both affect nerves near your brain. More rare causes include birth trauma or head injury during surgery on your neck region.

Sign and Symptoms of  Bell’s Palsy

Bell's palsy is a condition that influence  your face  muscles. It is caused by damage to one of the nerves that controls movement in the face. The cause is not always clear. Sometimes it may be due to a viral infection that attacks the nerve. Others times it may occur spontaneously without any known cause.

Symptoms include temporary weakness of one side of the face and drooping on one side of the mouth, eye or eyebrow. There can also be blurred vision if there is involvement with the nerve controlling eye muscles on the same side as symptoms are present.

 Bell's palsy usually resolves on its own within two months but treatment can speed up recovery time or prevent permanent effects such as drooping eyelids or permanent loss of facial expression.

Treatments for Bell’s Palsy

Many people have experienced Bell 's palsy at some point in their life. When the 7th cranial nerve that controls your facial muscles is damaged, you can experience paralysis on one side of your face. The paralysis could last anywhere from a few days to a few months. Bell 's palsy is usually caused by an injury to the nerve due to a viral infection (the most common cause) or as a complication of another condition like Lyme disease or diabetes.

 Although there’s no cure for Bell ‘s palsy, it can be treated with medications to control the spasms and reduce discomfort.

 Other treatments include injections of botulinum toxin into affected muscles to help them relax so they don’t spasm so much or physical therapy for facial exercises.

Alternative therapies for treating Bell's palsy

Homeopathic remedies can be used to help with the symptoms of Bell 's palsy.

 If a person has been diagnosed with Bell 's palsy, homeopathic treatment can be started as soon as possible for relief. For example, the following remedies can be taken in various potencies depending on how much relief is desired:

Aconite 200c to 1M for sudden onset of symptoms - 6 doses over one day and then reduce to once every other day for two weeks or until symptoms are relieved. 

Ignatia 200c to 1M if there are feelings of sadness or sorrow or if they person cannot stop crying - 3 doses per day for one week.