Bell's palsy is a condition that typically paralyzes half of the face. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that nearly 40,000 people wake up with the sudden onset of Bell's palsy each year in the United States. Bell's palsy occurs when facial nerves become swollen or compressed and put pressure on the muscles. While the condition can strike at any age, it most commonly affects people between the ages of 15 and 60.
Sudden Droopiness
The condition usually attacks suddenly, causing weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. Bell's palsy usually is recognized when one side of the face appears to droop. It becomes difficult to smile or to close the eye on the side that's affected. Facial expressions become void, interfering with blinking, squinting and closing the affected eye. People with mild symptoms may experience twitching and weakness on one side of the face. Others experience mild symptoms on both sides of the face. The symptoms typically worsen for 3 to 5 days but often disappear within a month. For many, complete facial distortion happens within 48 hours. Doctors at the University of Virginia Medical System report that the condition is unexplainable but usually is caused by a trauma or infection in one of the cranial nerves.
Pain
Bell's palsy usually is accompanied by a headache and pain in front of the ear on the side that is drooping. An earache internally also is common. At the same time, sounds become louder in that same ear. Concurrently, other areas on the affected side become numb and can feel no pain. Symptoms vary from person to person, report doctors at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Pain and levels of paralysis can range from mild discomfort and weakness to severe pain and complete paralysis.
Other signs
Taste buds become affected, causing a loss of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue. Many people with the condition have difficulty speaking and eating. Tear ducts sometimes dry up, preventing crying. In some cases, the affected eye cannot even close during sleep and must be protected with a patch. Other people experience excessive tearing in one eye when it's open or closed. Uncontrollable drooling may occur. Bell's palsy most often affects pregnant women and people with diabetes. Others who may experience the condition most often are those in the beginning stages of a cold or upper respiratory infection. While Bell's palsy clears up for most patients, in rare cases permanent nerve damage may occur. Others undergo repeated bouts of the condition.
