Bell's palsy
Sudden facial drooping
Bell's palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, caused by inflammation of the facial nerve.
The condition typically comes on within hours, causing drooping of the eyelid and corner of the mouth, difficulty closing the eye, and altered taste.
Most cases resolve within weeks to months, though some experience lasting effects.
The cause is often unknown but may follow viral infections.
Spreading quickly online
- herpes simplex virusContagious lifelong blister-causing pathogen
- nerve compressionPressure narrowing neural passage
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
- demyelinationNerve sheath degradation
Sagging of facial features
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- numbnessLoss of sensation
- asymmetryAbsence of balanced form
- drooping eyelidLid that sags downward
drooling · ear pain · jaw pain · twitching · stiffness · tearing · dry eye · lopsidedness
Inflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- prednisoneSynthetic corticosteroid medication
- antiviralsMedicines that inhibit viruses
- acyclovirAntiviral herpes medication
- valacyclovirAntiviral prodrug medication
eye patch · artificial tears · eye ointment · electrical stimulation · Botox
Occurring without prior notice
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- rapidMoving with haste
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
alarm · overnight · emergency · medical attention · inflammation · swelling · cold exposure
Physician specializing in nervous system
- electromyographyMuscle electrical activity measurement
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- physical examinationMedical evaluation of body
Lyme test · blood test · differential diagnosis · herpes simplex
Recovery from injury/addiction
- physiotherapyTreatment restoring bodily function
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- improvementPositive change in quality
- healingRestoration of health
patience · time · prognosis · remission · full recovery · neuroplasticity · adaptation · support group
viral
Spreading quickly online
- herpes simplex virusContagious lifelong blister-causing pathogen
- nerve compressionPressure narrowing neural passage
- autoimmuneBody attacks itself
facial droop
Sagging of facial features
drooping eyelid · drooling · ear pain · jaw pain · twitching · stiffness · tearing · dry eye · lopsidedness
corticosteroids
Inflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- prednisoneSynthetic corticosteroid medication
- antiviralsMedicines that inhibit viruses
- acyclovirAntiviral herpes medication
valacyclovir · eye patch · artificial tears · eye ointment · electrical stimulation · Botox
sudden
Occurring without prior notice
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- rapidMoving with haste
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
shock · alarm · overnight · emergency · medical attention · inflammation · swelling · cold exposure
neurologist
Physician specializing in nervous system
- electromyographyMuscle electrical activity measurement
- MRIMagnetic body imaging
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
physical examination · Lyme test · blood test · differential diagnosis · herpes simplex
rehabilitation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- physiotherapyTreatment restoring bodily function
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- improvementPositive change in quality
healing · patience · time · prognosis · remission · full recovery · neuroplasticity · adaptation · support group · hope
- Medical EponymsAlzheimer's, Parkinson's, Crohn's disease, Down syndrome, Huntington's disease
- Neurological Disordersepilepsy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy
- neurological symptomsnumbness, tremor, aphasia, ataxia, weakness
- Paralysisparaplegia, quadriplegia, hemiplegia, tetraplegia, monoplegia
- Facial Paralysisfacial weakness
- nerve disordersneuropathy, radiculopathy, nerve damage, nerve compression, pinched nerve