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Bell's Palsy Research Paper

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Bell’s Palsy affects the nervous system of the body. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis. It affects around 40,000 people both men and women. It was named after Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who was able to describe the connection between the facial nerves and the muscles on each side of the face. Bell’s Palsy is a temporary paralysis of the face that results from trauma, damage or illness to the 7th cranial (facial) nerve. This nerve runs through a canal known as the Fallopian canal, which is a narrow canal in the skull, behind the ear to the muscles on each side of the face. The facial nerve on each side of the face controls our ability to blink our eyes, use facial expressions such as smiling and frowning. Bell’s Palsy …show more content…

Most commonly noticed by the drooping of the eyelid and the drooping and drooling of the mouth. Bell’s Palsy affects the brain 's ability to pass messages to the facial muscles. It can also affect the ability to taste items on the tongue on the side of the face that has been affected. Bell’s Palsy is normally treated with prednisone (also known as steroid tablets). The treatment usually runs for ten days and is used to treat inflammation. Steroids should be started within 72 hours. There is a higher rate of full recovery of the nerve function by taking steroids than if not taken. If the Bell’s Palsy was caused by a virus an antiviral drug can be given along with the steroids, however the benefits of this combination are small if any. Eye protection is important because Bell’s Palsy normally affects the ability to open and close the eyelid and to produce the needed tears to keep the eye lubricated. It is recommended that an eye pad be worn at night after using lubricant to protect the eye or the eye could be taped shut. Also lubricant should be used on the eye throughout the day to keep it from drying out. It is also recommend that you complete massages on the face to keep the muscles from becoming too relaxed. Sometimes people may choose homeopathic remedies to treat Bell’s Palsy such as relaxation, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, and vitamin therapy. There normally are no

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