Bell’s Palsy Treatment in Sinnamon Park

What is Bell’s Pasly?

Bell’s Palsy is a partial or complete paralysis to the muscles on one side of your face caused by the dysfunction of the 7th cranial nerve. The nerve is damaged by inflammation causing it to become enlarged. Where the nerve exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen, the swelling restricts the blood supply to the nerve causing ischemia – reduced blood supply and thus oxygen to the nerve. In most cases this is temporary, improving in a few weeks and resolving in 6 months.

What are the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy?

• Rapid onset of weakness or paralysis unilaterally on your face
• Facial droop and trouble making facial expressions such as smiling or closing your eyes
• Affected eye more open (appears larger) than unaffected
• Lack on line on forehead on affected side
• Lack on blinking with affected eye
• Drooling
• Affect side of the mouth lower than unaffected
• Pain around your jaw or in/behind your ear on the affected side
• Decrease in tear and saliva production – dry eyes and/or mouth
• Headache
• Loss of taste