Paralysis on one side of the face, drooping eyes and mouth are some of the physical manifestations of Bell’s palsy. This condition affects the muscles on one side of the face as the facial nerve that controls the muscles gets damaged.
This nerve damage can also affect the eyes and will make it difficult for the patient to produce tears (dry eyes). It will be difficult also for the patient to swallow and taste the food and control the saliva.
Dr. Edwin Bien, Integrative Medicine doctor, was a victim of Bell’s palsy, a paralysis or muscle weakness on one side of the face. “I was so tired from work when I came home one day in the year 2007. I went to bed with the air-conditioning unit blowing cold air directly to my face. When I woke up, my saliva was freely flowing from the left side of my mouth, which has already dropped. I couldn’t close my eyes and felt really cold. It was as if blood wasn’t flowing from the left side of my face. I couldn’t speak clearly and I was so depressed to see that the left side of my face was twisted,” Dr. Bien told Radyo Klinika in an interview aired on dwiz 882 KHZ AM.
Dr. Bien said that Bell’s Palsy is a neurological problem wherein the facial nerve, or the cranial nerve number 7, which originates from the brain and exits the skull (just behind the ear) and gets pinched at the temple, at the back of the neck. “Its branches get paralyzed. Those branches go to the face, to the forehead, eyelids, cheeks, mouth and chin.”
Bell’s palsy is different from stroke or ischemic attack, according to Dr. Bien. Only one side of the face is affected by weakness or paralysis, while in stroke, it’s the whole left or right side of the body, which can get affected.
It can occur very suddenly and usually gets better after therapy and medications. The doctors usually prescribe steroids, antiviral medicines and Vitamin B complex for people who are afflicted with the condition. “It usually goes away after months of therapy, but sometimes, the patient’s face doesn’t go back to 100 percent normalcy.”
The cause of this condition is not yet determined although some cases have been observed to have previous diseases like herpes virus and cold sores.
Among the symptoms of Bell’s palsy are the following: paralysis or weakness on one side of the face, eye problems like drooping eyes, excessive tearing or dry eyes, pain inside or behind the ear, increased sensitivity to sound, drooling, and loss of taste.
A neurologist can check the nerve function or can recommend blood tests, MRI or CT scan to fully understand the condition of the patient.
Aside from corticosteroids or antiviral medicines, the doctor can recommend the following: facial exercises and light massage on the face to tighten and relax the facial muscles for quick recovery, eye drops or artificial tears for those who can’t close their eyes even while sleeping, using a finger to close and open the eyelids often, protecting the mouth by brushing and flossing frequently, and chewing the food slowly, as well as choosing soft food while under this condition.
Dr. Bien has fully recovered from Bell’s palsy after undergoing medications and alternative treatments. “But some people, who have severe facial nerve damage, could still experience abnormalities even after medications and therapy. Involuntary contractions of some muscles in the face because of the irregular regrowth of nerve fibers can cause nerve tics or involuntary shutting down of one eye or lifting of one side of the mouth, just like how one Hollywood actor looks when he speaks,” said the doctor.
The patient can lose his sense of taste, tear up uncontrollably or what is known as gusto-lacrimal reflex, and loss of vision in cases of corneal ulceration due to severe drying of eyes.
Dr. Bien recommends a stress-free life to avoid Bell’s palsy aside from taking a daily supplement of vitamin B complex. “Slow down, take it easy,” closes Dr. Bien.
Dr. Bien has wellness clinics in Cubao, Quezon City, Parañaque and Antipolo, Rizal. Send your messages at this number: 0999-414-5144.
Radyo Klinika airs every Tuesday to Friday, 7 to 8 p.m., on dwiz 882 KHZ AM and live on FB at dwiz 882. It is the recipient of the KBP Golden Dove Award for Best Radio Magazine Program in 2016. Its host, Marou Pahati-Sarne, is a two-time KBP Golden Dove awardee for Best Radio Magazine Program Host (2016 and 2017). For questions and suggestions to the program, please send your messages at the FB page: Radyo Klinika or e-mail: marou70@gmail.com.
