...Bells Palsy Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. It's caused by trauma to the seventh cranial nerve, and is not permanent (There have been cases where the patient has not recovered). Bell's Palsy is not as uncommon as one might think. Worldwide statistics set the frequency at just over .02% of the population. Statistically this is one of every 5000 people over the course of a lifetime and 40,000 Americans every year [1]. Diabetics are more than four times more likely to develop Bell's palsy than the general population and the last trimester of pregnancy is considered to be a time of increased risk for Bell's palsy [2]. In 2004 I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy and it was at this point I decided that I needed to do all necessary research to make sure I would make a full recovery. Soon after diagnosis I learned that a number of factors not limited to but including; Herpes Simplex One, stress, insufficient sleep, upper respiratory infections, Rubella, Mumps, and Lyme disease could potentially cause Bells Palsy. Treatment usually consists of a physician prescribing an antiviral or steroid medication as this is thought to speed up recovery time. Symptoms usually last for less than 3 months but can last longer in extreme cases. In addition to antiviral or steroidal medication, there are alternate treatment options for someone looking to make as full a recovery as possible. One treatment, although controversial is acupuncture...
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...Bell’s palsy is the paralysis of the muscles usually occurring on one side of the face (although it can happen on both sides of the face). It occurs when the 7th cranial nerve that connects to the muscles of the face fails to function properly, causing the facial muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. The main cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown, but it may caused by autoimmune disorders or viral infections. The believed causes of this disease are herpes simplex virus and shingles. Other viral diseases that can lead to the disease are cytomegalo virus, herpes coxsackievirus, rubella, mumps, and mononucleosis. In the event that there is irritation around the facial nerves, it can press the nerves causing them to completely or partially working. At the point when the nerves quit working, the muscles related with them additionally quit working. Thus, the facial muscles become harmed or numb incidentally until...
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...Bell’s Palsy is named for Sir Charles Bell, a 19th century Scottish surgeon and physiologist who described the facial nerve and its connection to the condition. The disorder, which is not related to a stroke, is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Generally, Bell’s Palsy affects only one of the paired facial nerves and one side of the face, however, in rare cases it can affect both sides. (NIND,2003) It’s sudden onset, the cause is unknown but is presumed to involve swelling of the seventh (facial) nerve due to immune or viral disease resulting at the point where it leaves the bony tissue. (Davis, 1985) Due to the inflammation that is directed by the body’s immune system against the nerve controlling movement of the face. This causes...
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...Bell’s Palsy * Sir Charles Bell first described the anatomy and function of the facial nerve in the 1800s. * Bells Palsy describes the sudden paralysis of the facial (VIIth) cranial nerve which renders the patient unable to control the facial muscles on the affected side. * Also called the facial paralysis, is a disorder of the 7th cranial (facial) nerve, characterized by unilateral paralysis of the muscles * The aetiology is unclear although for some cases the presumed pathophysiology of Bells Palsy is due to inflammation from a viral infection. * It may recur on the same or opposite side of the face, and can be transient and permanent. * This disorder can occur at any ages but most often in adults between 20 and 60. * The incidence is equal in men and women. * 80% of clients recover completely within a few weeks to a few months (3/4 recover without treatment). * 15% recover some function but have permanent facial paralysis. POSSIBLE CAUSES * Blockage of the seventh cranial nerve (Facial) * Infection from herpes simplex virus * Meningitis * Compression of the nerve by a tumor * Haemorrhage * Trauma to the facial nerve RISK FACTORS * Pregnancy increases the risk threefold – mainly seen in third trimester to first week post partum * Diabetes * Viruses: Herpes Simplex Virus and Herpes Zoster Virus Sensory Loss of taste SYMPTOMS * Sudden onset (over hours) unilateral lower motor neurone...
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...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. Often the eye in the affected side cannot be closed. The eye must be protected from drying up, or the cornea may be permanently damaged, resulting in impaired vision. In some cases denture wearers experience some discomfort. The common presentation of this condition is a rapid onset of partial or complete paralysis that often occurs overnight. In rare cases, it can occur on both sides resulting in total facial paralysis. Bell’s palsy is defined as a one-sided facial nerve paralysis of unknown cause. Several other conditions can also cause facial paralysis, e.g., brain tumor, stroke, myasthenia gravis, and Lyme disease; however, if no specific cause can be identified, the condition is known as Bell's palsy. It is thought that an inflammatory condition leads to swelling of the facial nerve. The nerve travels through the skull in a narrow bone canal beneath the ear. Nerve swelling and compression in the narrow bone canal are thought to lead to nerve inhibition or damage. Usually it gets better on its own with most people achieving normal or near-normal function. Corticosteroids have been found to improve outcomes, when used early, while anti-viral drugs have not.[3][4] Many show signs of improvement as early as 10 days after the onset, even without treatment. Bell's palsy is the most common acute...
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...Rationale I have selected Bell’s palsy as a minor health subject for critical analysis for three principal reasons. Firstly, it is the most common disorder affecting the facial nerves (Ardour, 1978). Secondly, research has noted that there appears little consensus in the literature regarding the causes and management of Bell’s palsy. Additionally the diagnosis is one of elimination. Tiemstra and Khatkhate (2007) demonstrate there are many other conditions which can mimic symptoms (See appendix one). I therefore wanted to analyse the available literature in order to be able to competently and safely recognise the condition in the urgent unscheduled care environment. Background Petruzelli (1991) states that Bell’s palsy is an acute paralysis of the facial nerve first described by the Scottish surgeon and anatomist, Sir Charles Bell . Niparko (1993) elaborates that it is a generally unilateral paralysis or weakness of facial musculature consistent with facial nerve damage and dysfunction. The anatomy of the facial nerve can be found in appendix two. Pietersen (2002) states that the cause is unknown, however, whilst the exact aetiology of Bell’s palsy is still debated, viral infections, vascular ischaemia, autoimmune inflammatory disorders and heredity have been postulated as causative. (Adour 1982, Burgess 1984, Lorber 1996). Murakami et al (1996) proposed that reactivation of herpes simplex virus in the geniculate ganglia was causative. A herpes simplex cause is corroborated...
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...Research Document Requested By:Not On Request Date Requested: Assigned To: Date Assigned: Status: Published Date Completed: 01/07/97 Title: Bell's Palsy General Summary Author: Nancy J. Austin Topic: Nervous System Subject:Bell's Palsy Synonyms/Keywords: Facial nerve palsy Refrigeration palsy Facial paralysis Idiopathic Facial Palsy Antoni's Palsy Facial palsy Introduction: Bell's Palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from a facial nerve disorder. Paralysis is nonprogressive and results from decreased blood supply, compression or inflammation of the 7th (facial) cranial nerve. The majority of cases of Bell's Palsy are temporary and symptoms usually subside within two weeks; about 80% of patients recover completely with three months. Only in rare cases are symptoms permanent. Symptoms One sided facial paralysis Inability to close one eye Facial pain Tearing Drooling Hypersensitivity to sound Impairment of taste Headache Lower facial weakness Associated diseases Acoustic Neuroma, a benign tumor of the 8th cranial nerve, produces symptoms that are similar to Bell's Palsy. Growth of the tumor may lead to numbness in the mouth, slurred speech and hoarseness. Myasthenia Gravis is a neuromuscular disease characterized by muscle weakness, affecting the mouth, lips, tongue and voice box. The patient may experience difficulties in speaking, chewing, and/or swallowing. Additional symptoms are drooping eyelids and double...
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...Bell palsy are normally treated with oral glucocorticoids such as Deltasone (prednisone) within three days of symptom onset. • Individuals with severe cases often receive the combination of Deltasone (prednisone) plus Valtrex (valacyclovir). • Botox (botulinum toxin) injections can be beneficial for patients that do not completely recover. References: 1. Gronseth GS, Paduga R, American Academy of Neurology. Evidence-based guideline update: steroids and antivirals for Bell palsy: report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 2012; 79:2209. 2. Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Bell's palsy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2013; 149:S1. 3. Schwartz SR, Jones SL, Getchius TS, Gronseth GS. Reconciling the clinical practice guidelines on Bell's palsy from the AAO-HNSF and the AAN. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014; 150:709. ...
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