What is Bell's Palsy?

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

26 Jan 2008 08:28 PM

Bell's palsy is the result of damage to a facial nerve. It is categorized by a sudden and temporary paralysis, usually to one side of the face. Often the symptoms of Bell's palsy are mistaken for a stroke, since facial paralysis is most often the result of stroke.

This type of facial paralysis gets its name from the doctor that first identified the condition. Sir Charles Bell was a surgeon in nineteenth century Scottland.

The affected facial nerve is responsible for transmitting messages from the brain to the muscles in the face. When the nerve is damaged, the transmissions are interrupted, which results in the paralysis that is the classic symptom of Bell's palsy.

While this condition is known to occur during pregnancy, it can also happen to women who are not pregnant as well as to men. However, for women, it is much more likely to occur during pregnancy. Pregnant women are three times more likely to experience Bell's palsy than women who are not pregnant.

Certain complications of pregnancy are thought to be a contributing factor to Bell's palsy, such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Other causes of the palsy include viral infections, such as meningitis, flu, chronic ear infections and lyme disease.

Symptoms of Bell's Palsy

* Weakness and paralysis, usually on one side of the face

* Twitching of the facial muscles on the affected side

* Tearing in the eye on the affected side

* Drooping eyelid

* Drooping of one side of the mouth

* Loss of the sense of taste

While medications such as steroids and anti viral drugs are often used to treat Bell's palsy, these are generally not recommended for pregnant women. Most doctors take a wait and see approach. The treatment used involves treating any pain that is associated with the disorder. Underlying conditions, such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or infection will be treated.

In most cases, the condition goes away on its own. This may not happen until after the birth, particularly if another complication is a contributing factor. The length of time for recovery varies according to the severity of the nerve damage. It can take several months after the birth of the baby for the symptoms to disappear. If a woman has Bell's palsy during one pregnancy, she is at increased risk of developing it again in a future pregnancy.

Related Articles:

High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy

Causes and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes

When is a Pregnancy High Risk?

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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