BELL’S PALSY
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WHAT IS BELL’S PALSY ?
Bell’s Palsy is facial paralysis, resulting from a dysfunction of the 7th cranial nerve. The condition normally affects one side of the face and can last from a number of weeks to a number of years in extreme cases. Be optimistic though, in most cases (approx 80%) the condition recedes after 3 months though for a proportion of sufferers the symptoms can continue indefinitely. Most patients suspect they have suffered a stroke when first faced by it’s effect and a visit to the doctor helps alleviate their fears. Symptoms normally include; a drooping or sagging mouth, facial pain, drooling, loss of taste, inability to close the eye resulting in tearing …… more
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80% OF SUFFERERS RECOVER WITHIN 3 MONTHS
You are probably visiting this website because you, a family member, or friend has been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy – often called Facial Palsy or Facial Paralysis.
We aim to provide help and information to sufferers of this distressing condition.
What causes Bells Palsy?
Bells Palsy is an idiopathic condition. It has no certain cause, but the HSV1 (cold sore virus) is thought to be the culprit in most cases. You do not have to have had a cold sore to have the virus in your body. There are many possible causes for Facial Palsy, so Bells Palsy should not be diagnosed until all other possible reasons for the paralysis have been investigated.
When will I get better?
The average recovery period is 8-12 weeks, however it is possible to recover within a month. Around 50% of patients will recover fully within the first weeks and a further 35% will have recovery over the next few months. This is a temporary condition, but 100% recovery is not guaranteed. Regeneration of the facial nerve can continue up to and beyond 18 months. Continued recovery in small increments has been reported years later.
What should I be doing to make my BP heal faster?
There is no cure for BP, it heals itself and takes its own time to do so. Everyone heals at a different rate. The best things you can do for yourself are get as much rest as possible, take good care of your eye with lots of preservative free artificial tears during the day and a thicker eye gel at night, eat well and try to reduce the stress in your life as much as you can.
Does age, race or gender make a difference?
Bells Palsy is an equal opportunity condition and will affect one in 60 UK citizens at some point during their lifetime. It can affect anyone at all, but for those with diabetes, weak immune systems and pregnant women there is a greater chance of contracting BP.
Do I need to take any time off work and if so how soon should I go back?
BP can be very tiring and if it is possible to take time off then it is recommended that you give yourself a little time in the beginning to start to heal. While some people find it impossible to go back to work right away, others do manage to get back into their jobs quite quickly. The decision is dependant on each individual and how well they think they can cope at work.
Why do some people have left sided BP and others right sided BP?
The side on which you get BP is random, there is a facial nerve on each side and its like tossing a coin every time. However if a person gets it repeatedly and consistantly on one side there could be an underlying cause which should be investigated.
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