Who Is Affected by Bell's Palsy?
Bell's palsy afflicts approximately 40,000 Americans each year. It affects men and women equally and can occur at any age, but it is less common before age 15 or after age 60.
Symptoms of Bell's palsy usually begin suddenly and reach their peak within 48 hours. Bell's palsy symptoms range in severity from mild weakness to total paralysis and may include:
- Twitching, weakness, or paralysis on one or both sides of the face
- Drooping eyelid or corner of the mouth
- Drooling
- Dry eye or mouth
- Impairment of taste
- Excessive tearing in the eye.
Bell's palsy often causes significant facial distortion.
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.
There are also several medical conditions in which Bell's palsy tends to occur more often. Medical conditions associated with Bell's palsy include:
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