Bell's palsy

Overview

Bell's palsy (BP) is a kind of facial paralysis that causes an inability to control the facial muscles on the afflicted side of the face for a short period of time. The severity of the symptoms might range from minor to severe. Muscle twitching, weakness, or entire loss of capacity to move one or, in rare situations, both sides of the face are examples of symptoms. 

Other symptoms include eyelid drooping, a change in taste, and soreness around the ear. Symptoms usually appear within 48 hours. Bell's palsy can cause hyperacusis, which is a heightened sensitivity to sound.

It is uncertain what causes Bell's palsy. Diabetes, a recent upper respiratory tract infection, and pregnancy are all risk factors. It is caused by cranial nerve VII impairment (the facial nerve). Many people assume that this is the outcome of a viral infection that causes edema. The look of a person is used to make a diagnosis, and other alternative explanations are ruled out. Brain tumors, strokes, Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2, myasthenia gravis, and Lyme disease are among illnesses that can induce facial paralysis.