Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is weakness or temporary paralysis of muscles on one side of the face. These muscles are controlled by the facial nerve. Because there is a facial nerve on each side of the face of a person, and Bell's palsy usually affects only one nerve, people with Bell's palsy will likely notice stiffness or weakness on one side of the face.
What is the cause of Bell's palsy?

When the facial nerve is functioning properly, a series of messages from the brain to the face. May these messages say a lid to close, on one side of the mouth to smile or frown, or salivary glands of the spit. Facial nerves also help our bodies than tears and taste of favorite foods. But if the nerve is compressed and swells, as is the case with Bell's palsy, these messages are not transmitted properly. The result is weakness or temporary paralysis of muscles on one side of the face.

Bell's palsy is most often linked to a viral infection such as herpes (the virus that causes cold sores), Epstein-Barr (the virus that causes mononucleosis), or influenza (flu). It is also associated with the infectious agent that causes Lyme disease. Of course, this does not mean that all those who have a viral infection or Lyme disease develop Bell's palsy - most people do not. But for some people, the immune response to viral infection leads to inflammation of the nerve. As the swollen, compressing the nerve that passes through a small hole in the base of the skull, causing the symptoms of Bell's palsy.

Bell's palsy can affect people of all ages, but is more common in adults. People with diabetes and pregnant women are more likely to develop Bell's palsy.
What are the signs and symptoms?

Symptoms of Bell's palsy usually appear 1 to 2 weeks after a viral infection. Symptoms tend to appear quickly - usually Bell's palsy has reached its worst point in 48 hours. A few hours or days before Bell's palsy develops fully, May some people have headaches or pain behind or in front of the ears. May notice a person of a part of his face droops or feels hard. May some people only notice a slight weakness, while others May not be able to go on this side of his face at all.

Other symptoms of Bell's palsy include:

* Difficulty in closing eyes all the way
* Drought in one eye
* Problems of taste in the front of the tongue on the affected side
Changes in the amount of saliva or drooling
* Listen to sounds that seem higher than normal in one ear

Bell's palsy affects only the face, so if a person has symptoms of weakness or other body parts, the problem has another cause.