Weekly Health Page Articles: Neurosciences Institute

Facial Paralysis Can Be Treated

Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial paralysis resulting from damage to the facial nerve. It can strike anyone at any age, but occurs most often in pregnant women and people with diabetes and upper respiratory ailments.

Symptoms of the disorder, which is not related to stroke, include twitching, paralysis on one or both sides of the face, drooping eyelid and corner of the mouth, dryness of the eye or mouth, impaired taste and excessive tearing. Symptoms appear suddenly and reach their peak within 48 hours, leading to significant facial distortion.

"Treatment may include anti-viral or anti-inflammatory medications," says Robert E. Gardner, MD, neurologist on staff at Saint Francis Medical Center's Neurosciences Institute. "Other therapeutic options include moist heat for pain relief and physical therapy to stimulate the facial nerve and improve facial function."

Recovery takes two weeks to six months from the onset of symptoms with the majority of patient's regaining full facial strength and expression.

From Weekly Health Page: Jan. 14, 2007