Bell's palsy, also known as facial paralysis, is a condition affecting the facial nerve on one side of the face. As the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery explains, the facial nerve comprises approximately 7,000 nerve fibers that affect different areas on the face. Taste, tearing, eye movements, hearing and facial expressions are all impacted by the facial nerve. Bell's palsy causes weakness, partial paralysis or complete paralysis of facial areas. It is painful in some cases. Bell's palsy is usually a temporary condition, but complications are possible.
Blindness
Blindness is a serious potential complication of Bell's palsy, explains MayoClinic.com. It is often the result of damage to the surface of the eye from chronic dryness, occurring when the eye cannot close for an extended period of time due to paralysis of the eyelid. Occasionally, the blindness may be due to a scratch or injury to the eye due to its inability to close. Blindness of the eye may be partial or complete. Eyedrops, eye ointments, eye patches and surgery are frequently used in an attempt to avert this complication.
Involuntary Movement
As Bell's palsy heals, nerve fibers may regrow inappropriately. This can cause an involuntary movement when the individual makes a voluntary motion. Aberrant regrowth of nerve fibers can cause appearance and functional changes, such as eye closure when a person smiles, explains MayoClinic.com. Treatment of this complication is dependent on the part of the face involved and the severity of symptoms.
Permanent Weakness or Paralysis
Some Bell's palsy sufferers are left with permanent facial weakness, explains the text "Medical-Surgical Nursing." Physical therapy, injections, nerve surgery, muscle surgery or mechanical eyelid manipulators may be needed. One type of surgery to correct facial weakness involves grafting the tongue nerve to the facial nerve so the individual can use his tongue to control his facial movements after training. Occasionally, a portion of bone that is compressing the facial nerve must be removed surgically to ease facial paralysis.
Permanent Spasms
Some Bell's palsy sufferers have persistent facial spasms, indicates the University of Maryland Medical Center. Treatment is dependent on the part of the face involved, the severity and frequency of spasms, and the individual's tolerance of the spasms.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N., and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- Mayo Clinic: Bell's Palsy
- American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bell's Palsy and Facial Nerve Paralysis
