When Bell's Palsy occurs the muscles in one side of the face become weak or paralyzed. Several muscles in the face are affected. Control of the tear glands, taste buds, the eye and glands that control saliva production are all affected by this condition.
The facial nerve is used to pass electrochemical signals from the brain to the face muscles. When this nerve is damaged the signals no longer have a good road to travel along and the weakness in one side of the face occurs.
For people suffering with Bell's palsy, many things that we often take for granted become a challenge. Smiling, speaking, opening or closing an eye and eating are no longer as easy as they once were. Often times, one eye will tear up, taste buds disappear, speech becomes slurred, hearing loss develops and drooling occurs. This condition can appear out of nowhere and peaks within 48 hours.
You might have been thinking that what I just described sounds like a stroke. Well, the symptoms are very similar to a stroke and many people often mistake one for the other.
This particular palsy disorder is pretty rare. It only affects around 40,000 people in the United States per year. The most affected groups are senior citizens, young adults, people already suffering from diabetes and pregnant women. Children suffer from this type of palsy on rare occasions, but are usually quick to recover. Normally, there are no other medical problems than the symptoms described above. Pregnant women do need to worry about the risk of developing pre-eclampsia, however.
Studies have not identified the exact reason why Bell's palsy develops, although doctors widely agree that it occurs when the facial nerve becomes inflamed. Some things that cause this to happen are: MS, herpes, colds, flu, HIV, stress, pregnancy, tumor (pressing against the facial nerve), diabetes, tuberculosis and a serious injury to the face or head.
Minor cases do not require any medical treatment, at all. Severe cases require the help of a doctor. The treatment plan for a serious case of Bells palsy is involved and can be a lengthy process.
Obviously, avoiding Bell's palsy is the best route to take. There are herbs which will help you to keep your nervous system strong, or offer it support while you are dealing with the symptoms of this disorder. Natural remedies like Valerian, St. John's Wort and Avena Sativa are all good for helping to treat symptoms that are related to your nervous system. This is a complicated disorder, so make sure that you talk to your local homeopath or doctor before using natural remedies to help support your condition.
Author Resource:-
Dee Braun, a single mom of 6, is a Cert. Aromatherapist & natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Remedies4.com which offers free natural health ebooks on more home remedies & healing techniques for common health, emotional ailments & conditions at http://www.remedies4.com/
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