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- This is a type of facial paralysis, occurring suddenly on one side of the face. It is thought to be caused by an inflammation of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). 60% of afflicted patients get better without treatment, while 90% of those receiving treatment show improvement.
- Since a stroke may have a similar appearance, it is important to make sure that Bell's palsy is truly the cause. Rare tumors can also cause similar symptoms, and these need to be excluded as well.
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- Ear pain may precede the attack
- Face feels stiff
- Difficulty closing the eyelids
- Difficulty eating and smiling
- Loss of taste on one side of the tongue
- Hypersensitivity to noises
- Bell's palsy often follows an upper respiratory infection.
- Excessive eye tearing or lack of tearing on one side.
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- Unknown
- Exposure to a virus or cold may be the cause in some cases.
- Facial nerve Injury due to head Trauma, tumors, Herpes Zoster, or herpes simplex vesicles in the outer ear canal (Ramsay-Hunt syndrome) can also lead to paralysis of facial nerve.
- Bilateral facial paralysis occurs very rarely, and is often due to neurological disease such as Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- It may be associated with viral infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus, herpes virus, Mumps virus
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- Paralysis of one side of the face
- One of the sides of the face appears drooped
- Imaging: CT scan or MRI may be done to rule out stroke.
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- No treatment is an option, especially if the paralysis is mild.
- Eye patch is helpful if the eye cannot close completely.
- Corticosteroids, e.g., Prednisone
- Corticosteroids work best if they are started sooner than later.
- Lubricating eye drops, if the eyelid remains open.
- Recent studies show that Acyclovir (an anti-viral medication) may be helpful.
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- More than 85% of patients get better without treatment.
- 10 % of patients can have mild facial weakness.
- 5% of patients can have permanent severe facial weakness.
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- Birth trauma
- Mobius syndrome
- Congenital unilateral lower lip paralysis
- Mastoiditis
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