$Unique_ID{BRK01526}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{An Explanation of Bell's Palsy}
$Subject{palsy palsies Bell's treatment Nervous System Ill Defined Symptoms
symptom Bell nerves nerve weakness ENT 7 7th cranial facial autoimmune
reaction eyes eye care treatments}
$Volume{F-2, N-2}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


An Explanation of Bell's Palsy


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QUESTION:  Recently I developed a nerve weakness in the left side of my face.
My ENT doctor told me I had an inflammation of the 7th cranial nerve caused
from a viral infection and prescribed a week's supply of steroids.  My
internist said it was Bell's Palsy and that it would take time for it to get
back to normal.  No medication was prescribed.  Would you please explain
Bell's Palsy to me?

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ANSWER:  To a great extent, both doctors are correct even if it seems at first
glance that they have some difference of opinion.  Inflammation of the 7th
cranial nerve (the facial nerve) is also known as Bell's Palsy, after Sir
Charles Bell who is credited with describing the condition in 1892.  There may
be many causes of irritation to the nerve, some of them a bit controversial,
including upper respiratory infections, exposure to a cold draft, emotional
upset, and even pregnancy and menstrual periods.  Though the exact cause my
not be known, the results are pretty well understood.  The cause, perhaps a
viral infection, creates an autoimmune reaction in the nerve.  As a result,
the nerve swells inside the tiny bony canal that it runs through, becomes
compressed and suffers from lack of oxygen and nutrition.  As the nerve begins
to fail, the muscles it serves begin to droop, and display a typical Bell's
palsy appearance.
     Some physicians believe that the early use of steroids can prevent the
condition from becoming permanent.  Since the eyelids do not function
normally, special eye care is in order.  Dark glasses are recommended for day
time hours or brightly lit areas, and artificial tears should be used
regularly to prevent the sensitive tissues that cover the eyeball from drying
out.  Though the treatment must be based upon your individual case, the
statistics for complete recovery are quite good, and in many cases no special
treatment, other than for the eye, is used.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.