That is an idiopathic acute non-suppurative irritation of the facial nerve inside the stylomastoid foramen. It typically happens after publicity to chilly. The nerve sheath of the bony canal is infected and swollen and compresses the nerve within the stylomastoid foramen.
Direct compression and secondary ischemia are attainable causes of paralysis. Physicians now contemplate Bell’s palsy to be on account of viral polyneuropathy with inflammatory demyelination extending from the mind stem to the periphery. Different nerves concerned are V, IX, X, and C2.
SYMPTOMS
Ache within the root of the ear, typically ache across the ear precedes paralysis. In some instances, incapability to wrinkle brow, shut the attention, transfer lips on the affected facet are seen.
Incapability to blow or whistle, numbness and stiffness of the cheek on the affected facet, dribbling of saliva and fluid by way of the angle of the mouth on the affected facet, and watering from the attention are another frequent signs of Bell’s palsy.
SIGNS:
Facial asymmetry is current. Voluntary and emotional actions are all misplaced on the paralyzed facet. On asking the affected person successively to wrinkle the brow, shut the eyes and to indicate the tooth, it will likely be noticed that there isn’t any closure of the attention and no opening of the oral aperture.
Frowning is just not attainable on the affected facet. On the affected facet, the angle of the mouth is drooped, nasolabial furrow is flat and blowing of the cheek is just not attainable. Cheek could also be puffed out throughout respiration on the paralyzed facet. The eyeball rolls upwards and outwards which known as Bell’s phenomenon. In some instances, there could also be even lack of style sensation on the anterior 2/three of the tongue on the affected facet.