Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s Palsy is a condition in which facial muscles on one side of the face become weak or paralyzed, causing the face to drop or stiffen on that side. Other symptoms may include the inability to close or blink your eye on the affected side, inability to form wrinkles, difficulty chewing, inability to whistle, drooling, increased sensitivity to sound, decreased taste sensation, pain and sometimes headache. You may experience some or all of the symptoms and they may present themselves quickly or may take a few hours.
Is Sports Physiotherapy necessary
The major cause for Bell’s Palsy is trauma to the facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve. Our face contains various small muscles that help us produce facial expressions such as smiling, frowning, wrinkling your forehead, clenching your teeth, closing and opening your eyes and puffing your cheeks. These muscles are controlled by the seventh cranial nerve or facial nerve.. This nerve is also involved in taste sensations, dampening the sounds that reach your ears and stimulating the tear ducts that produce tears. Irritation of this nerve, usually due to a severe cold or viral infections, can lead to inflammation of the nerve and render its ability to function. Reduced functioning of the facial nerve leads to weakness or paralysis of the muscles it controls, causing symptoms of Bell’s Palsy. It can also be associated with any head injury, tumours of the face or even stroke.
