Bell's palsy
From Cross the Hurdles
What is Bell's palsy
Bell's palsy is a disorder of the nerve that controls movement of the muscles in the face. This nerve is called the facial or 7th cranial nerve. Damage to this nerve causes weakness or paralysis of these muscles when cannot use the muscles at all. It effects sense of taste and making of tears. Tears play an important role in protecting the eyes and keeping them free of dirt and bacteria, which could cause eye infections.
If you have Bell’s palsy, you might find it difficult to close your eye, which can cause your tears to evaporate and leave your eye vulnerable to infection
Symptoms
- Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of your face that causes it to droop. This is the main symptom. It may make it hard for you to close your eye on that side of your face.
- Drooling.
- Eye problems, such as excessive tearing or a dry eye.
- Loss of ability to taste.
- Pain in or behind the ear.
- Numbness in the affected side of the face.
- Increased sensitivity to sound.
Treatment and Management
Physical therapies can help a lot in improving the condition. Massage and thermotherapy are used to hasten recovery. Proper lubrication of eyes should be done.
