Bell's Palsy

1. Dementia Pictures Slideshow
2. Alzheimer's Disease Slideshow Pictures
3. Brain Foods Slideshow Pictures

• What is Bell's Palsy?
• What Causes Bell's Palsy?
• What Are Bell's Palsy Symptoms?
• When to Seek Medical Care for Bell's Palsy
• How to Test for Bell's Palsy
• Bell's Palsy Treatment
• Bell's Palsy Self-Care at Home
• Bell's Palsy Medical Treatment
• Bell's Palsy Medications
• Bell's Palsy Prevention
• Bell's Palsy Prognosis
• Read more on Bell Palsy from Healthwise

• Named after Surgeon Sir Charles Bell's and also known as facial palsy, Bell's palsy is the sudden weakness of one side of the face.
• It is often temporary and is attributed to the inflammation of the facial nerve that controls the muscles on the weakened side of the face.

The direct cause is not usually known, but Bell's palsy is often preceded by symptoms of a viral syndrome.

Other commonly mentioned triggers include: 

• stress,
• trauma,
• fever, and
• tooth extractions.

There is a strong correlation with the herpes simplex virus, the same virus that causes cold sores or fever blisters on the lip. There has also been an association found with shingles and its associated blistering (from the herpes zoster virus). Bell's palsy has been associated with Lyme disease where it is common. The facial muscle is the most commonly paralyzed nerve of the body.

Must Read Articles Related to Bell Palsy

Fever in Adults A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever/...learn more >>

Lyme Disease Lyme disease, sometimes referred to as Lyme ...learn more >>

Oral Herpes Oral herpes is an infection caused by the learn more >>

See the Entire Bell Palsy Topic Guide »