Bell's Palsy

The most common cause of facial paralysis, Bell's palsy is a temporary paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to a facial nerve. Symptoms of Bell's palsy usually begin suddenly and may include twitching, weakness, or paralysis on one or both sides of the face. Most research scientists believe that a viral infection such as viral meningitis or the common cold sore virus -- herpes simplex -- causes Bell's palsy when the facial nerve swells and becomes inflamed in reaction to the infection. Treatment for Bell's palsy may include medications, physical therapy, or eye protection. Most people with Bell's palsy recover completely within three to six months.

 

Bell's Palsy: An Introduction

Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to a facial nerve. Generally, Bell's palsy affects only one of the two facial nerves and one side of the face; however, in rare cases, it can affect both sides.
 
Bell's palsy is named for Sir Charles Bell, a nineteenth-century Scottish surgeon who was the first to describe the condition. Bell's palsy, which is not related to stroke, is the most common cause of facial paralysis.
 

Understanding the Facial Nerves and Bell's Palsy

The facial nerve (also called the seventh cranial nerve) is a paired structure that travels through a narrow, bony canal (called the fallopian canal) in the skull, beneath the ear, to the muscles on each side of the face. For most of its journey, the nerve is encased in this bony shell.
 
Each facial nerve directs the muscles on one side of the face (including those that control eye blinking and closing) and facial expressions such as smiling and frowning. The facial nerve also carries nerve impulses to the:
 
  • Lacrimal, or tear glands
  • Saliva glands
  • Muscles of a small bone in the middle of the ear (called the stapes).
     
The facial nerve also transmits taste sensations from the tongue.
 
When Bell's palsy occurs, the function of the facial nerve is disrupted, causing an interruption in the messages the brain sends to the facial muscles. This interruption results in facial weakness or paralysis.
 
(Bell's Palsy Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD