Inflammation of one of the two major facial nerves that run along the sides of your face can cause a medical condition known as Bell's palsy. Typically, patients with this disease experience symptoms on only one side of the face. Bell's palsy can affect people of any age, but occurs most frequently in patients between the ages of 15 and 60, according to medical professionals at The Mayo Clinic. If you have any questions regarding the possible side effects of Bell's palsy, contact your doctor for further guidance.
Facial Weakness or Paralysis
Facial nerve inflammation can cause side effects of weakness or paralysis within the facial tissue. Initially, you may experience abnormal sensations on one side of your face, such as muscle twitching, numbness or tingling, explain health officials at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a division of the National Institutes of Health. These side effects of Bell's palsy can range in severity from mild to severe and can cause temporary facial paralysis in certain patients. Weakness and paralysis can make it difficult for you to move your facial muscle normally, which can affect your ability to make facial expressions, such as smiling.
Certain patients also experience facial drooping as a side effect of this condition, causing the eyelids and cheeks to appear heavy and sag. Typically, patients with Bell's palsy develop these side effects suddenly and experience the most severe symptoms about two days after the onset of symptoms, warns Medline Plus, an online medical encyclopedia established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain symptoms can arise as a side effect of Bell's palsy, explain Mayo Clinic doctors. In certain patients, jaw pain can radiate up behind the ear on the side of the face affected by Bell's palsy side effects. Jaw or ear pain side effects typically resolve within two weeks of onset, but may persist for up to six months, reports Medline Plus.
Sensitivity to Sound
Bell's palsy can cause patients to experience increased sensitivity to sound as a side effect of this condition, warns Family Doctor, a health and medical website supported by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Increased sensitivity to sound can also contribute to side effects of severe headache and may exacerbate ear pain symptoms.
Taste Distortion or Dry Mouth
If your facial nerve is irritated or inflamed, you can experience a decrease in your ability to taste, explains NINDS. Decrease saliva production due to Bell's palsy can lead to dry mouth side effects in certain patients, which may be accompanied by sore throat or difficulty eating. You might also notice that your eyes are unusually dry or irritated because of decreased tear production resulting from this condition.
