Bell's Palsy And its Rehabilitation

BELL'S PALSY:                       

                   

                       Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes a temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face. It can occur when the nerve that controls your facial muscles becomes inflamed, swollen, or compressed. The condition causes one side of your face to droop or become stiff. 

                       You may have difficulty smiling or closing your eye on the affected side. In most cases, Bell’s palsy is temporary and symptoms usually go away after a few weeks. Although Bell’s palsy can occur at any age, the condition is more common among people between ages 16 and 60

Symptoms:  

                       The symptoms of Bell’s palsy can develop one to two weeks after you have a cold, ear infection, or eye infection. They usually appear abruptly, and you may notice them when you wake up in the morning or when you try to eat or drink.

                    Bell’s palsy is marked by a droopy appearance on one side of the face and the inability to open or close your eye on the affected side. In rare cases, Bell’s palsy may affect both sides of your face.

                    Other signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include: Drooling of saliva due to unable to close their mouth. Feeling difficulty while eating and drinking. Unable to so Some of facial expressions like smiling and frowning. Facial muscle weakness. Sometimes you can seen muscle switches in the face. Their face , mouth and eye will be try, May be having headache. They are having sensitivity to sound.

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Causes:

             Bell's palsy occurs when the seventh cranial nerve becomes swollen or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. 

The viruses 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
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• Herpes zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles
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• Epstein-Barr virus, which causes Mononeucleosis

Your risk of developing Bell’s palsy increases if you: are pregnant, have diabetes,have a lung function, have a family history 

Medications:

• Corticosteroid drugs, which reduce inflammation
• Antiviral medication, such as Ipubrofen, which can help relieve mild pain
• using eye drops and an eye patch (for your dry eye)
• placing a warm, moist towel over your face to relieve pain
• Physiotherapy Management:
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•            Massage is very useful in Bell's Palsy . "Y'' shaped taping is very useful to prevent further weakness, and maintain the weakness. Electrical muscle stimulation. Some of useful home based activities are balloon  blowing, making bubbles, blowing air out through the tight fist etc.