Bell’s Palsy
Spot the Famous Actor with Bell’s Palsy.
The facial nerve, cranial nerve (CN) VII, is a nerve which controls the muscles of facial #expressions such as smiling, frowning, etc. It also controls eyelid closure and is also partly involved with taste sensation.
Infection or inflammation to this seventh cranial nerve results in Bell’s palsy.
Bell’s palsy leads to a sudden weakness of facial muscles on one side of the face.
The affected side of the face does not move properly and the smile may appear lopsided. Affected individuals also have difficulty raising their eyebrow and the eye may not close properly.
The cause of Bell’s palsy is not fully understood, but it may be caused by pressure or swelling of the nerve as it leaves the skull. Pressure may be caused by trauma (e.g. a bang to the head), ear infections, infection of the skull bone close to the ear (mastoiditis) or infection of the parotid (salivary) gland. However, there is often no cause to be found.
Symptoms
Bell’s palsy usually only affects one side of the face.
It can happen in children or adults.
Affected individuals may have trouble smiling, chewing their food or raising their eyebrow.
The affected eye may not be able to close properly. This can make the eye feel irritated and dry.
Usually people with Bell’s palsy are otherwise well. They sometimes get mild facial pain or pain behind the ear.
Sometimes things may taste different to usual and the person may be more sensitive to sound.
However, they should not have any severe pain, problems with seeing or weakness elsewhere in the face or body
Almost all children (more than 95 children in every 100) with Bell’s palsy recover fully without treatment. Children tend to recover better than adults.
Famous actor #GeorgeClooney suffered from this condition as seen in the picture