Bell's Palsy is a condition that causes sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. This can result in drooping of the eyelid or the corner of the mouth, and can also cause difficulty smiling, speaking, or eating.

The exact cause of Bell's Palsy is not well understood, but it is thought to be related to inflammation of the facial nerve, which controls the muscles in the face. Other factors that may play a role in the development of Bell's Palsy include viral infections, such as the herpes simplex virus (which causes cold sores), stress, and pregnancy.

Symptoms of Bell's Palsy usually develop rapidly, over the course of a few hours to a couple of days, and may be accompanied by pain around the jaw or behind the ear on the affected side.

Although Bell's Palsy can be unsettling, it is generally a temporary condition and most people recover fully within three to six months, although some may experience residual weakness or facial asymmetry. In severe cases, treatment may involve the use of antiviral medications, corticosteroids, and physical therapy to help speed recovery and improve muscle function.

 

Symptoms of Bell’s palsy

• Rapid onset of mild weakness to total paralysis on one side of your face occurring within hours to days

• Facial droop and difficulty making facial expressions, such as closing your eye or smiling

• Drooling

• Pain around the jaw or behind your ear on the affected side

• Increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side

• Headaches

• A loss of taste

In rare cases, Bell's palsy can affect the nerves on both sides of your face.

 

Causes

The exact cause of Bell's palsy is unclear, however it is often the result of a viral infection.  Viruses that have been linked to Bell's palsy include those that cause:

• Cold sores and genital herpes (herpes simplex)

• Chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster)

• Infectious mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr)

• Cytomegalovirus infections

• Respiratory illnesses (adenovirus)

• German measles (rubella)

• Mumps (mumps virus)

• Flu (influenza B)

• Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (coxsackievirus)

 

Risk factors

Bell's palsy occurs more often in people who:

• Are pregnant, especially during the third trimester, or who are in the first week after giving birth

• Have an upper respiratory infection, such as the flu or a cold

• Have diabetes

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Treatment

SOT therapy and Polychromatic light therapy are used to treat the viral cause of Bell's Palsy.