Causes And Complications Of Bell's Palsy
Bell's palsy is a form of facial paralysis in which typically, only one side is affected. However, in rare cases, the disease can affect both sides of the face at once. In Bell's palsy, the patient has little control over facial expression, and their face may appear to droop on one side as a result. Patients with Bell's palsy often look similar to someone who has had a stroke, but strokes and Bell's palsy are two different conditions. The exact cause of this disease is not known for sure, but it may be the result of certain viral infections. It affects both sexes about equally. Bell's palsy can be managed, but it can't be cured. The condition is usually self-limiting. Symptoms typically resolve spontaneously within a few months at most. Get to know some of the causes and complications of this condition now.
The Flu
Influenza, often just called the flu, may be implicated in the development of Bell's palsy, though it has not been absolutely proven. Some studies have also demonstrated a possible link between the disease and its vaccination, which is peculiar because influenza vaccines typically do not contain any live virus. The vaccine administered by nasal spray does, but this virus is weakened and cannot cause the actual disease. Some theorize it could be due to an allergic reaction of some kind, though this has not been proven. Bell's palsy appears in some individuals a short time after they have recovered from influenza. This may be because the virus caused trauma to the cranial nerve that controls the facial muscles.
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Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a medical condition caused by a virus known as coxsackievirus. It's contagious and mainly affects young children under the age of five. Symptoms include a runny nose and fever. A blistery red rash appears around the mouth, on the hands, as well as on the sides and bottoms of the feet. Young children are the most prone to hand, foot, and mouth disease. Adults and older children are typically immune, but it's also possible for them to develop the disease.
Although Bell's palsy rarely affects young children, the coxsackievirus can remain dormant in the body for many years after it occurs. This is also true of chickenpox, which isn't a pox virus at all and is unrelated to smallpox. Rather, chickenpox is actually a type of herpes. After someone recovers from it, the virus lurks in the person's nerve cells. It can reappear as shingles many decades after the initial infection. The same thing can happen with coxsackie virus. It can hide quietly in the body, only to emerge many years later and possibly cause Bell's palsy.
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Respiratory Illnesses
Various viruses cause respiratory illnesses involving the upper part of the respiratory system, such as chest colds or bronchitis. Symptoms include coughing, chest congestion, sneezing, sore throat, fever, headache, wheezing, and some difficulty breathing. Evidence indicates some individuals who develop Bell's palsy had a recent bout with viral upper respiratory illness. Just as with coxsackievirus, it's possible the viruses that cause chest colds remain dormant in the body after the individual recovers. These viruses may also attack the cranial nerve that controls the facial muscles, resulting in symptoms of Bell's palsy.
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Cold Sores
Cold sores are blistery lesions that appear around the mouth caused by a virus known as herpes simplex. It's spread by direct contact with the virus, such as by kissing, sharing drinking glasses, and through sexual contact. Once an individual is infected with herpes simplex, it never leaves the body. The virus is permanently hiding, reappearing now and then, often in response to stress or a weakened immune system. Herpes simplex can be transmitted even if no symptoms are present. Because the virus has an affinity, or preference, for nerve cells, it's suspect as a causative agent for Bell's palsy, which is caused by damage to the seventh cranial nerve.
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German Measles
German measles is a viral disease also known as rubella, though it is not the same as measles, which is known as rubeola. German measles is a generally mild disease that resolves on its own within a week or so. Rubella produces a red rash, swollen lymph nodes, and possibly a low fever. The disease is really only a threat to an unborn child. If a woman contracts it while pregnant, her baby can be born with severe congenital disabilities. Widespread vaccination against both rubella and rubeola have greatly reduced the incidence of both diseases. Like other suspect viruses linked to Bell's palsy, rubella may attack the cranial nerve, which is how Bell's palsy develops.