Bells Palsy Disease !!!! - We should be aware

It was a tiring weekend for me, I have made a general cleaning in my house, got to do all the chores and I have obligated my son to help me out , good thing he followed me :-) It was Sunday afternoon and watching S-Files and got my attention of the issue bout Jan Marini and her husband Gerard Pizzaras. Gerard woke up morning of July 26 and saw his right face as "ngiwi" , he then rushed to the village clinic and was adviced that he has Bells Palsy, he ran home, woke up his wife Jan and told her of his illness that was sudden. This got me to watch and listen very well because no one can tell that this may also happen to us anytime. The couple also captured my heart being very brave and bening with each other because of Love. I will never forget the phone patch Gerard made for Jan telling her how much he loves her wife and daughter. We should realize how important our life today whatever trials we have as long as we have God in our spirit , God will always tell us "Don't worry. i'll be just beside you". Gerard also mention that we should not be stressed of our problems in life just believe in the Lord our God and we will survive. He now realized that he's complete because of his wife and daugther without them he will be nothing.

NOW, WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND LIFE BECAUSE THIS MIGHT BE THE ONLY ONE WE GOT SO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF IT :-)

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ !

Here are some facts about Bells Palsy -
Facial nerve
The facial nerve is damaged most commonly by swelling within the facial canal in the temporal bone that results from viral infection. This causes Bell palsy, an abrupt weakness of all the facial muscles on one side of the face that is often accompanied by pain around the ear, unusual loudness of sounds on the same side, and loss of taste on the front of the tongue.

Bell's palsy is an acquired weakness of one side of the face, due to an injury to the facial nerve. The symptoms on the affected side typically include inability to close the eye, to smile, wrinkle the forehead and whistle. Speech may be mildly slurred. Tearing occurs because the eye does not close completely. Taste sensation may be diminished on the front half of the tongue. Sounds may appear louder on the affected side (hyperacusis) -- this may be caused by paralysis of the stapedius muscle but also occurs independantly. Papillitis may be seen of the fungiform papillae of the affected side. Bell's palsy usually develops over hours to days. The peak involvement usually happens within several days. Mild pain behind the ear is common at onset, as is a subjective sensation of "numbness" of the affected side. Usually it is first noticed when a persons observes it in a mirror, or on eating because food tends to collect between the cheek and gums.

How is Bell's Palsy treated ?
All patients with Bell's palsy need to take precautions against drying of the eye on the side of facial weakness. This will generally include use of artificial tears during the day, and use of "lacrilube" jelly at night. Eye patches are often counterproductive because the eyelid easily gets dislodged from the patch, allowing the eye to brush against the patch causing discomfort and potential damage. A moisture chamber can be used as an alternative to frequent use of eye drops during the day. The moisture chamber keeps the cornea from drying. In persons who have persistent redness or visual obscuration, a ophthalmologist's help must be enlisted. In some instances, the lid must be sewed shut until facial movement improves. Gold weights can also be placed in the lid to keep it closed.
Prednisone treatment is thought to speed recovery and reduce the frequency of a bad result. Prednisone must be given within the first week of facial weakness, in order to be effective. Usually a dose of about 60 mg is given per day in a single morning dose. This dose is usually continued for about a week, and then tapered off to nothing at about 10 days. In persons at risk, blood pressure, blood glucose and electrolytes should be monitored.
Antiviral treatment for herpes simplex may improve prognosis (Adour, 1996). The protocol used involved acyclovir 400 mg 5 times daily for 10 days. However, recent improvements in antivirals suggest that famciclovir 500 mg tid may be a more effective choice.
Surgery is not needed in most cases of idiopathic Bell's palsy, as 90% of patients recover spontaneously. In cases where there has been trauma, facial nerve decompression may be justified. This area is controversial -- the surgical literature is more optomistic about the benefits of surgery than the medical literature.
Physical therapy is not generally thought to be helpful although it probably doesn't hurt. In persons with severe residual impairments at least 1 year after onset, several surgical procedures are available to improve cosmetic appearance.
Patients with Bell's palsy due to non-herpetic viral infection, sarcoid, diabetes or cancer are treated for these conditions if treatment is available, in addition to the general treatments outlined above.
Will it come back ?
About 7% of patients have recurrent Bells palsy. The mean recurrence interval is 10 years. Recurrent Bells tends to cluster in families as well as diabetics.

Or you may visit this link : http://www.neuro.nwu.edu/meded/CRANIAL/bells.html