BELL'S PALSY

BELL’S PALSY

Muscles on one side of your face become paralyzed or weak, which results in a droopy appearance on one side of the face also called as bell’s palsy.

This happens because of the trauma in the seventh cranial nerve, also called the facial nerve. Anyone can have Bell’s palsy; however, people who suffer from other conditions like diabetes and viral infections are more likely to have it.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of Bell’s palsy usually develop one to two weeks after you experience a cold, ear infection, or eye infection. It usually goes unnoticed until you experience trouble eating or drinking. You may also have trouble opening or closing your eye on the affected side.

Bell’s palsy usually happens on the other part of your face only, but in some cases, it could affect both sides of your face.

Other signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:

  • Facial weakness
  • Headache
  • Drooling
  • Dry eye and mouth
  • Sensitivity to sound
  • Inability to make facial expressions
  • Muscle twitches in the face
  • Eye irritation on the affected side

Seek medical attention if you experience such symptoms. Do not self-diagnose Bell’s palsy. Some symptoms may be similar to other conditions, such as brain tumor or stroke.

TYPES

Other common types of leg ulcer include:

  • Arterial leg ulcers
  • Diabetic leg ulcers
  • Malignant leg ulcers
  • Traumatic leg ulcers
  • Vasculitic leg ulcers

Ulcers in the foot are usually caused by diabetes.

 

SYMPTOMS

Itching, pain, and swelling in the affected leg are characteristic symptoms of a venous leg ulcer.

Discoloration, hardening of the skin around the ulcer, and presence of a foul-smelling discharge may also be present when you have a venous leg ulcer.

If you have a venous leg ulcer, you may exhibit the following conditions:

  • discoloration and darkening of the skin around the ulcer
  • swollen ankles
  • red, flaky, scaly and itchy skin on your legs
  • swollen and enlarged veins on your legs
  • hardened skin around the ulcer, which may make your leg feel hard
  • a heavy feeling in your legs
  • an unpleasant and foul-smelling discharge from the ulcer
  • aching or swelling in your legs

 

Signs of an infection

Opportunistic pathogens could cause secondary bacterial infections due to the ulcer. 

Symptoms of an infected leg ulcer may include:

  • a green or unpleasant discharge coming from the ulcer
  • fever
  • redness and swelling of the skin around the ulcer
  • worsening pain
  • an unpleasant smell coming from the ulcer

DIAGNOSIS

A physical examination is performed by your doctor to determine the extent of weakness in your facial muscles. Your doctor will also ask you questions about your symptoms when it started, or when did you start noticing them.

A variety of tests may also be performed to diagnose a Bell’s palsy. Your doctor may request you to take blood tests to determine the presence of a possible viral or bacterial infection in your body. MRI or CT scans may also be required to check the nerves in your face.

TREATMENT

Bell’s palsy symptoms usually get better without treatment. However, it would take several weeks or months for your facial muscles to recover its normal strength.

The following treatments may help in your recovery.

Medication

  • Using eye drops
  • Antibacterial medications
  • Over-the-counter medications can help alleviate the pain
  • Corticosteroid drugs that help reduce inflammation

Home treatment

  • Physical therapy, such as facial massage and exercise
  • Putting a warm, moist towel over your face to relieve the pain
  • Using an eye patch for your dry eye

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]