About Bells Palsy

Bells palsy is a common condition in which the facial nerve becomes weak. The facial nerve allows us to move the muscles of our face such as when we smile, frown, cry, or laugh. Thus, patients with bells palsy have facial paralysis and appear to have droopy eyebrows, sagging cheeks and mouth and appear to have had a stroke.

The facial nerve travels a complicated course from the brain, through the inner ear, and into the face. Thus, a number of different medical conditions can affect the facial nerve. One of these conditions is bells palsy. While the exact cause of bells palsy is not known, it is likely a result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve caused by a viral infection. However, other conditions can also cause facial paralysis, from relatively minor problems such as an ear infection to more serious problems such as a stroke and a tumor.

The onset of facial paralysis should be treated as an emergency and patients should go to their doctor or the emergency room. Life threatening problems such as a stroke or a tumor need to be ruled out. ENT physicians have special expertise in treating problems of the facial nerve and will form an integral part of the health care team. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of the cause of the facial paralysis can often result in complete resolution and full return of function. Delay can result in permanent disability.