Bell's palsy
Alternative names:
facial palsy
Symptoms:
- pain behind or in front of the ear
- may precede weakness of facial muscles by 1-2 days
- impairment of taste
- sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) on the affected side
- headache
- face feels stiff
- face feels pulled to one side
- difficulty with eating and drinking
- change in facial appearance
- facial paralysis of one side of the face
- difficulty closing one eye
- difficulty with fine facial movements
- drooling
Note: Symptoms begin suddenly and hit their peak usually within 48 hours. Seventy-five percent of cases are preceded by upper respiratory infection.
Signs and tests:
Examination shows upper and lower facial weakness, which is almost always isolated to one side of the face or occasionally to the forehead, eyelid, or mouth. Despite subjective sensory symptoms, the loss of sensation on examination is a rare and disturbing finding. Blood pressure is normal. A skull x-ray may be done to rule-out infection or tumor.
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