Bell's Palsy
Definition : Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a dysfunction of the cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) causing an inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. Cause : Bell’s palsy occurs when the seventh cranial nerve becomes swollen or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. The exact cause of this damage is unknown, but many medical researchers believe it’s most likely triggered by a viral infection. The viruses/bacteria that have been linked to the development of Bell’s palsy include: Herpes simplex, which causes cold sores and genital herpes HIV, which damages the immune system Sarcoidosis, which causes organ inflammation Herpes zoster virus, which causes Chickenpox and Shingles Epstein-Barr virus, which causes 'Mononucleosis' Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection caused by infected ticks Symptoms : Symptoms appear suddenly and are at their worst about 48 hours after they start. They can ...