Bell’s palsy, also known as peripheral facial paralysis, occurs when the facial nerve becomes inflamed and the person loses control of the muscles on one side of the face, resulting in a crooked mouth, difficulty making expressions, and even a tingling sensation.
Most of the time, this inflammation is temporary and occurs after a viral infection, such as herpes, rubella or mumps, improving between a few weeks and up to 6 months. But it can also be a permanent situation, especially if there is an injury in the path of the facial nerve.
- Ideally.
- Any type of facial paralysis should be assessed by a doctor.
- Especially since.
- At an early stage.
- It may be a sign of a more serious situation.
- Such as a stroke.
- And must be properly identified and treated.
Some of the most characteristic symptoms of Bell’s paralysis include
These symptoms usually appear quickly and affect one side of the face, although in rare cases there may also be inflammation of the nerve on both sides of the face, causing symptoms on both sides of the face.
Bell’s palsy symptoms are similar with some signs of serious problems, such as a stroke or brain tumor, so it’s important to always have a medical evaluation.
Diagnosis usually begins with an evaluation of your facial muscles and reported symptoms, but your doctor may also order additional tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, and blood tests. These tests, in addition to helping in the diagnosis of Bell’s paralysis, also detect other problems that may have facial paralysis as a symptom.
The exact cause of inflammation of the facial nerve and the onset of Bell’s paralysis is not yet known, however, it is common for this type of change to occur after viral infections such as:
In addition, it is most common in pregnant women, people with diabetes, patients with lung infections or with a family history of paralysis.
Treatment of Bell’s paralysis can be done through the use of medications and physiotherapy and speech therapy, and most people make a full recovery within a month of treatment.
However, there are several treatment options
Pharmacological treatment of Bell’s paralysis should be indicated by a neurologist and consists of the use of corticosteroids, such as prednisone or prednisolone, and antivirals, such as aciclovir or vanciclovir, which may begin to be used up to 3 days after the onset of symptoms. .
Because Bell’s paralysis causes the muscles of the face to shrink, it can cause pain, and pain relievers such as aspirin, dipirony, or acetaminophen may be recommended in these situations to relieve this symptom.
In addition, if paralysis prevents the closure of an eye, it is necessary to apply an ointment directly to the eye before sleep to protect it, avoiding extreme dryness, and during the day it is important to use lubricating eye drops and glasses. sun to protect yourself from the sun and wind.
During physical therapy sessions, the person performs exercises that help strengthen facial muscles and improve blood flow to the nerve, such as:
These exercises can also be done at home to improve symptoms more quickly, but should always be guided by a physical therapist, on a case-by-case basis.
During these exercises, the physical therapist may use an ice cube wrapped in a towel to slide over the paralyzed area as a form of stimulus for muscle contraction. To help the person perform the contraction, the therapist can help with the direction of movement by placing 2 or 3 fingers on the face, which are then removed so that the person can maintain the contraction properly.
Some studies have been developed to evaluate the benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of Bell’s paralysis, and some results indicate that this technique of traditional Chinese medicine can improve function and reduce the stiffness of facial nerves, by stimulating nerve fibers in the skin and face. Muscles. Learn more about how acupuncture is practiced.
In some situations, surgery may be indicated by your doctor, especially in cases where there is a lot of facial nerve involvement, which is only confirmed after an electroneuromyography exam.
After surgery, psychotherapy may be appropriate for psychological support, because when the face is very different from what it used to be, it can be difficult for a person to recognize and accept himself, especially when it is necessary to develop professional activities in which it is contact with other people.
The speech therapy sessions are indicated for the rehabilitation of the person with Bell’s paralysis, as they help to recover movements and facial expressions, as well as help stimulate speech, chewing and swallowing functions. This type of therapy should be performed by a qualified professional and the number of sessions per week and the duration of treatment will be determined by the speech therapist in collaboration with the doctor.
Full recovery should take place in about 3 to 4 months, and as soon as physiotherapy begins, progress may be noticed. Approximately 15% of people with this peripheral facial paralysis do not fully recover and it may be necessary to use botox or have surgery months later.