What’s Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s Palsy is sudden weakness or paralysis of muscles on one side of the face due to malfunction of the 7th cranial nerve (facial nerve).
This nerve moves the facial muscles, stimulates the salivary and tear glands, enables the front two thirds of the tongue to detect tastes, and controls a muscle involved in hearing.

Bell’s Palsy usually strikes when a person wakes up and finds that one side of his face does not move. He simply cannot control his facial muscles, usually on one side. The affected side of the face tends to droop, and have trouble completely shutting the eye on the same side. The weakness may also affect saliva and tear production, and the sense of taste. Many people are afraid when this happens, and they think they are having a stroke, but if the weakness or paralysis only affects the face, it is more likely to be Bell’s Palsy.

When Bell’s Palsy occurs, the function of the facial nerve is disrupted, causing an interruption in the messages the brain sends to the facial muscles. This interruption results in facial weakness or paralysis.

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy.

If you have Bell’s palsy, you may have some of the symptoms listed below:

• Drooping that makes your face look uneven.

• Paralysis of facial muscles.

• Drooling of saliva.

• Excess tear formation in one eye.

• Loss of facial expression.

• Twitching.

• Trouble eating or drinking.

• Trouble speaking.

• Total or partial loss of taste.

• Ear pain.

• Ringing in your ear(s).

• Headache.

• Sensitivity to sound.

,• Trouble closing your eye.

• Dry eye.

What causes Bell’s Palsy?

Experts are not sure Bell’s Palsy exists, but quite a few believe that it is caused by a viral infection. Here are a few known causes:

• Herpes simplex.

• Ear infection.

• HIV.

• Herpes Zoster virus, Cytomegalo virus, Epstein-Barr virus.

• Lyme disease.

• Sarcoidosis.

Top Risk Factors of Bell’s Palsy

Factors that may increase the risk of Bell’s palsy include:

• Family history of the disease.

• Diabetes.

• Autoimmune disorders.

• Weakened immune system.

• Infections.

• Chemotherapy.

• Pregnancy.

• Certain medications.

• Smoking.

• Hypertension.

Bell’s Palsy affects about 1 in every 5,000 people. Once you have had Bell’s palsy, you have a slight chance of getting it again.

What can Bell’s Palsy leads to if not treated promtly or properly?

Although Bell’s Palsy is not life threatening, sudden paralysis of face can cause alarm, fear and low self-esteem in affected individuals.

Though Bell’s Palsy recovers with or without treatment, but if not treated properly, it may result in:

• Decreased functioning of facial muscles in some cases or spasms of the facial muscles.

• Persistent loss of taste sensations.

• Damaged to the eyes.

• Bell’s Palsy can cause permanent loss of taste too.

• ‘Crocodile tear syndrome’ in which tears are involuntarily shed while eating.

Self-help:

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet, rich in leafy, green vegetables to boost immune system and fight infections.

• Do regular exercise.

• Get a facial massage; perform facial exercises.

• Keep blood sugar and blood pressure levels under control.

• Apply moist heat applications to the paralysed area to reduce pain.

• Keep your face warm — wear a scarf, or a jacket, with a hood, because exposure to cold while travelling aggravates the condition.

• Drink fruit juice, water or cold drinks, with a straw.

• Cut food into small pieces and eat on the side of your mouth that feels comfortable.

• Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, to beat stress.

Homeopathic Treatment for Bell’s Palsy:

For the treatment of Bell’s Palsy, conventional medicine advocates the use of steroids, or anti-virals, to help reduce infection or inflammation and also speed up the healing process. However, most individuals cannot tolerate them because of side-effects. Individuals who do not improve with medications are advised surgery to relieve the compression of the facial nerve, the most likely cause of Bell’s Palsy.

However, homoeopathy is evidenced to be effective and safe in the treatment of Bell’s Palsy. Homeopathic treatment for facial, or Bell’s Palsy depends upon one’s personality, their unique symptoms and overall constitution.

Homeopathic treatment has known antiviral activity, and targets immune system of the individual. It is also targeted towards the healing of nerve damage in traumatic cases of Bell’s Palsy, as a result, homeopathic treatment for Bell’s Palsy is strongly suggested for rapid recovery.

Here are few of the homeopathic medicines used in treating Bell’s Palsy;

Homeopathic Treatment of Bell’s Palsy

(1) Aconitum napellus: When one side of a person’s face becomes paralyzed, especially after being exposed to wind or cold air, this remedy may be helpful. A feeling of fear and agitation and a sudden onset of symptoms are strong indications for Aconitum napellus.

(2) Agaricus: This remedy may be indicated in Bell’s palsy when the facial muscles on one side are stiff, and grimacing or twitching occurs in other parts of the face. Many people who need this remedy have deep anxiety about their health.

(3) Cadmium sulphuratum: Facial paralysis (usually left-sided) that starts after exposure to wind, and is accompanied by chilliness or overwhelming weakness, suggests a need for this remedy. The person’s mouth may look distorted, and completely closing one of the eyes often is impossible.

(4) Causticum: This remedy can be helpful when facial paralysis has developed gradually (most often on the right side). Opening and closing the mouth can be difficult, and the person may accidentally bite the tongue or the inside of the cheek. The person may be weak but restless, and tends to feel best when keeping warm.

(5) Cocculus: One-sided facial paralysis, with pain or tension felt in the other cheek, especially when opening the mouth, suggests a need for this remedy. Weakness, dizziness, or numbness are other indications. The person may feel worse from lack of sleep or from being emotionally upset.

(6) Dulcamara: This remedy may be indicated when a person has one-sided facial paralysis that makes it difficult to speak. Dulcamara is indicated in many conditions that develop after exposure to cold and dampness, especially after chills in rainy weather. People who need this remedy are often inclined toward sinusitis, allergies, and back pain.

(7) Nux vomica: One-sided facial paralysis (more often on the left) in a person who is irritable, impatient, and hypersensitive to odours, sounds, and light may indicate a need for this remedy. Cramping and constricting feelings may be felt, and problems may be worse from cold.

(8) Platina: This remedy may be indicated for painless paralysis of the face, with facial distortion that raises one eyebrow or creates a “haughty” look. The person may also experience numbness in the lips and cheeks, or other body parts.

Homeopathy is strongly recommended for cases of Bell’s Palsy since its individualized approach helps in faster recovery from the disease and it can halt the progression of as well as prevent complications of the condition.

For optimum results and recovery from Bell’s Palsy, it is, of course, imperative for one to consult a professional homeopath, and avoid self medication.

For your homeopathic medicines and treatment of Bell’s Palsy, can contact the homeopath Oluwafunmise on 08028366901 or 08183554665.