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When to Seek Medical Care

All episodes of facial weakness or paralysis should be immediately examined by a doctor to rule out the possibility of a stroke. If you have had a previous episode of Bell's palsy and have another similar episode, you should again be examined to rule out other more serious causes of the facial weakness. Other causes of facial weakness can include these conditions:

• Stroke
  
  
• Tumors
  
  
• Other infections, such as meningitis
  
  
• Trauma
  
  
• Other neurological disease, such as multiple sclerosis

If you have any difficulty with speech (slurred speech or change in speed of your conversation), arm or leg weakness, numbness, tingling, or difficulty with balance or walking, call 911 or go to a hospital's emergency department.