Bells Palsy - Neurasthenia

BELL'S PALSY is a NEURASTHENIA (muscle weakness) or paralysis in the face that begins suddenly and worsens over three to five days. This condition results from damage to the 7th cranial nerve, and is not permanent. Bell's palsy typically strikes men and woman between the ages of 15 and 60. This disorder affects about 40,000 Americans each year. It is also often seen in pregnant women, persons with diabetes, influenza, a cold, or other respiratory ailment. It has also been thought that Herpes Simplex Virus could cause Bell's palsy due to inflammation and damage to the nerve. There are many symptoms of Bell's palsy; some of them are loss of feeling in the face, loss of the sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue, hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear, tearing, drooling, and an inability to close the eye on the affected side of the face. Treatment for Bell's palsy will have to be determined by a NEUROLOGIST. He/she may order you to have an MRI SCAN. The results of the scan will help guide the doctor to decide what treatment is appropriate for you. A NEUROPLASTY could be performed but would not be necessary. Electrode Therapy is something that should be utilized as well to keep the facial muscles exercised. However there are eye drops so your eyes do not dry out and damage the cornea. There is also an ointment you can apply when you sleep, again so you eyes do not dry out.

I chose this topic because I used to know a kid who rode my school bus back in the 1980's that this happened to. Being kids we always used to ask him what happened to him. He would just say "It's Bell's Palsy." I have been driven with curiosity since. When I saw it on the internet for this project I knew I had to do it.

In my research I was amazed at how fast Bell's palsy can affect somebody. In a matter of a couple hours half of their face could be paralyzed. I also learned that for the most part, this disorder repairs itself, but can be helped along with Electrode Therapy. I think it is amazing that the age range for this disorder is so great. I made me realize that anyone could get it.

I think that Bell's palsy is a very distinct disorder. I have only seen this disorder once in my life. The only thing I have seen that is close to it is a stoke victim. This also could have facial paralysis. I had great pleasure in studying this topic. It was a lot of fun and was profoundly