Overview

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis (palsy). It usually only affects the muscles on one side of your face. You may have a lopsided smile or an eyelid that you can’t fully close. It rarely affects both sides of your face.

Bell’s palsy happens when there’s inflammation and swelling of your seventh cranial nerve — the nerve that controls facial muscles. Certain conditions (like viral infections) can cause inflammation, but many cases of Bell’s palsy have no clear cause (idiopathic).

Bell’s palsy can affect anyone at any age. But it’s most likely to affect people between the ages of 15 and 60. The average age of onset is 40 years.

The condition gets its name from Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who first described it during the 19th century.

Is Bell’s palsy a serious condition?

Bell’s palsy isn’t a serious condition. Most cases go away on their own with time. However, the symptoms of Bell’s palsy are similar to those of serious medical conditions, like a stroke. This is why it’s important to see a healthcare provider as soon as you notice muscle weakness in your face.

Signs of a stroke include:

  • One-sided weakness or paralysis.
  • Aphasia (difficulty with or loss of speaking ability).
  • Loss of muscle control on one side of your face.
  • Sudden loss — either partial or total — of one or more senses (vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch).
  • Blurred or double vision (diplopia).
  • Loss of coordination or clumsiness (ataxia).
  • Dizziness.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Neck stiffness.
  • Emotional instability and personality changes.
  • Seizures.
  • Memory loss (amnesia).
  • Headaches (usually sudden and severe).

A stroke is a life-threatening emergency condition where every second counts. If you or someone with you has symptoms of a stroke, IMMEDIATELY call 911 (or your local emergency services number).

How common is Bell’s palsy?

Bell’s palsy is relatively common. About 15 to 30 people out of 100,000 develop it every year. About 1 in 60 people will get it at some point in their life. It’s the most common cause of one-sided facial paralysis.

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Symptoms

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


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