How long do Bell's palsy symptoms last?

It could be caused by a reaction that occurs after a viral infection. Symptoms usually start to improve within a few weeks, with complete recovery in about six months. A small number of people continue to have some Bell's palsy symptoms for life. Rarely, Bell's palsy occurs more than once.

How long does it take the effects of Bell's palsy to go away?

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.

What is the fastest way to recover from Bell's palsy?

Most people with Bell's palsy recover fully — with or without treatment. There's no one-size-fits-all treatment for Bell's palsy. But your health care provider may suggest medications or physical therapy to help speed your recovery. Surgery is rarely an option for Bell's palsy.

Is Bell's palsy caused by stress?

Bell's Palsy is a neurological condition in which the seventh facial nerve is not working properly, causing paralysis of one side of your face. Most people don't know that Bell's Palsy is most often brought on by stress and over use of your brain.

How long does Bell's palsy take to recover?

Generally, Bell's palsy affects only one side of the face; however, in rare cases, it can affect both sides. 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.

VIDEO: What is Bell's palsy? Symptoms, treatment and recovery

What are signs of Bell's palsy recovery?

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.

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.

Can Covid 19 cause Bell's palsy?

But, COVID-19 can also present with other central nervous system manifestations such as stroke, encephalo-myelitis, or peripheral nervous manifestations such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Bell's palsy.

What happens if Bell's palsy is untreated?

“The results of this study are shocking, because previous studies have shown that about a third of untreated Bell's palsy patients will suffer long-term problems including facial disfigurement, facial spasms and chronic pain.

Is Bell's Palsy serious?

Bell's palsy temporarily weakens or paralyzes facial muscles. A pinched facial nerve causes this paralysis, or palsy. People with this type of facial nerve palsy develop a droopy appearance on one — or sometimes both — sides of the face. The condition isn't serious and often resolves in a few months without treatment.

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.

Should I go to the ER for Bell's palsy?

There are conditions, such as stroke, that may look like Bell's palsy and are medical emergencies. Therefore, you should seek emergent medical care if you notice facial weakness or drooping. Although Bell's palsy can be alarming, it's rarely serious.

Is Bell's palsy painful?

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.

Does Bell's palsy hurt your face when it is healing?

For those who have prolonged recovery from Bell's palsy, pain may be due to the facial muscles being stiff or tight, and help from a physiotherapist or speech and language therapist who specialises in facial palsy may be beneficial.

Does Bell's palsy affect the brain?

In summary, this study provided significant evidence for abnormal brain activity between patients with early left and right Bell's palsy. In addition, the severities of the disease were closely associated with abnormal fALFF values in certain brain regions.

How can I strengthen the nerve in my face?

Is Bell's palsy a mini stroke?

Bell's palsy is a temporary paralysis of the facial muscles, causing drooping and weakness on one side of the face, and is sometimes mistaken for a stroke. While alarming, Bell's palsy is usually not permanent and resolves itself in two weeks to six months, depending on the severity.

Should I see a neurologist for Bell's palsy?

If your primary care doctor suspects Bell's palsy, she will most likely refer you to a neurologist for additional testing. You may also see an ophthalmologist because Bell's palsy can affect the eyes. Most doctors start by obtaining a thorough medical history, including a description and timeline of your symptoms.

What can mimic Bell's palsy?

Conditions that may mimic Bell's palsy include CNS neoplasms, stroke, HIV infection, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, Lyme disease, otitis media, cholesteatoma, sarcoidosis, trauma to the facial nerve, autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome, and ...

How is Bell's palsy triggered?

The exact cause is unknown. Experts think it's caused by swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face. It could be caused by a reaction that occurs after a viral infection. Symptoms usually start to improve within a few weeks, with complete recovery in about six months.

What viral infection causes Bell's palsy?

Bell's palsy is caused by an inflammation of the facial nerve. This inflammation may be caused by a virus. There is some evidence that the virus is often herpes simplex virus (HSV), the same virus that causes cold sores and genital herpes.

Can I go to work if I have Bell's palsy?

Because Bell's Palsy doesn't affect a person's strength, the SSA will probably conclude that you can still do a sedentary (sit-down) job. This means that unless you can prove that you have non-strength related limitations that stop you from working, you will be denied.

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.

What are the best eye drops for Bell's palsy?

Products containing them include Refresh, GenTeal, Visine Dry Eye Relief, and Systane. Patients should instill 1-2 drops in the eye as needed during waking hours. Treatment of dry eye during the night is the great challenge for Bell's palsy patients, owing to an inability to completely close the eye during sleep.