Does Bell's palsy get worse before better?

Symptoms of facial weakness or paralysis get worse over the first few days and start to improve in about 2 weeks. It can take 3 to 6 months to fully resolve. Medicine and eye care are important in treating Bell's palsy.

How do you know when Bell's palsy is improving?

In the majority of cases, facial paralysis from Bell's palsy is temporary. You're likely to notice gradual improvement after about two weeks. Within three months, most people have recovered full motion and function of their face. A delay in recovery is often accompanied by some form of abnormal facial function.

How long before Bells palsy improves?

Symptoms appear suddenly over a 48 - 72-hour period and generally start to improve with or without treatment after a few weeks, with recovery of some or all facial function within six months. In some cases, residual muscle weakness lasts longer or may be permanent.

Is recovery from Bell's palsy gradual or sudden?

The majority of people who develop Bell's palsy recover without treatment. You should notice a gradual lessening of symptoms within a few weeks. Depending on the extent of nerve damage, full recovery can take two to six months. Some symptoms last longer, and some people never fully recover.

Should you rest with Bell's palsy?

When first diagnosed with Bell's palsy you should understand that you are unwell. It is important to get plenty of rest even if you have no other symptoms. You should also maintain a healthy diet. If you are at work or school, it may be necessary to take some time to recover.

Bell's palsy: One Loyola patient's story

Does sleep help Bell's palsy?

The 5 Musts-Do's When First Diagnosed with Bell's Palsy:

You MUST sleep for the nerve to regenerate.

Why is my Bell's palsy not going away?

Bell's palsy usually starts to improve in 2 weeks but may take 3 to 6 months to return to normal. If there is no improvement or if any symptoms worsen, it is important to tell your healthcare provider.

What is the fastest way to get rid of Bell's palsy?

Immediate Bell's Palsy Treatment

After it's been determined that Bell's palsy is causing the facial paralysis, the doctor needs to prescribe a high dose of steroids as well as an anti-viral medication such as Valtrex.

How can I strengthen the nerve in my face?

Move your lips in different directions. Move your mouth from side to side, up and down, smiling, and in a “kissing pout.” These movements will help your facial muscles regain strength, and because they are natural movements, they can help to promote reactions to the brain.

How long should you take prednisone for Bell's palsy?

The recommended dose of prednisone for the treatment of Bell palsy is 1 mg/kg or 60 mg/day for 6 days, followed by a taper, for a total of 10 days. Caution should be used in patients with any of the following: Tuberculosis.

Why is Bell's palsy so painful?

This condition results from damage to the facial nerve (the 7th cranial nerve). Pain and discomfort usually occur on one side of the face or head. Bell palsy can affect anyone at any age.

Does Bell's palsy make you feel weak?

Bell's palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and significantly improves over weeks. The weakness makes half of the face appear to droop. Smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side resists closing.

What vitamins are good for Bell's palsy?

Vitamin B12 injections have been shown to be beneficial for people with Bell's palsy. More. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve degeneration, and both oral and injected vitamin B12 have been used to treat many types of nerve disorders.

Why does my eye water with Bell's palsy?

The upward rotation of the eye when attempting to close the eyelids is known as Bell's Phenomenon. Tear production is actually decreased due to loss of parasympathetic fibers to the lacrimal glands, but the drooping of the lower lid and spillage of tears leads to complaints of excessive tearing.

Is facial massage good for Bell's palsy?

Forehead: Massaging the upper portion of the face sometimes helps a Bell's palsy patient reduce muscle weakness in the forehead. Cheeks: Using the fingertips to perform a circular motion around the cheeks may help a Bell's palsy patient increase muscle movement in the cheeks.

How Long Can Bell's palsy blink eye again?

But recovery can continue for up to 18 months and the blink, being at the furthest extremity of the facial nerve, is often one of the last things to return.

Does caffeine affect Bell's palsy?

Thus, the possible protective effect of caffeine consumption on the risk of Bell's palsy could mediate the negative association between Bell's palsy and alcohol consumption in this study.

What should I not do with Bell's palsy?

DON'T stop taking your medicines or change your dose because you feel better unless your health care provider tells you to. DON'T reduce your activity level. Rest doesn't help Bell's palsy. DON'T stop corticosteroids abruptly; they must be tapered.

How long does facial nerve damage take to heal?

Most patients should have some recovery within the first 2-4 weeks with medications like oral or intravenous steroids and physical therapy. Complete recovery may take up to 6 months. There are surgical options to repair facial nerve damage if conservative treatments don't work.

Does Bell's palsy cause pain behind ear?

Signs & Symptoms

The early symptoms of Bell's palsy may include a slight fever, pain behind the ear and weakness on one side of the face. The symptoms may begin suddenly and progress rapidly over several hours and sometimes follow a period of stress or reduced immunity. The whole side of the face is affected.

Should I wear an eye patch with Bell's palsy?

If your eye does not close completely, you should protect it during the day with glasses or goggles. Use a patch over your eye at night, but be sure not to use tape on your eyelid since the patch could slip and scratch the cornea.

Can Bell's Palsy lead to other problems?

But, Bell's palsy has also been associated with headaches, chronic middle ear infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, tumors, and Lyme disease, among other things, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) .

What side should you sleep on with Bell's palsy?

In general, it does not matter whether you sleep on the side affected by Bell's palsy or on the healthy side. In most cases, there is no special need to prefer one side over the other.