Page 5 - Bell's palsy

immediately. Where Bell's palsy is not life threatening,

a stroke can be. It is important to keep yourself safe

and help prevent exacerbation of a potentially serious

medical condition (The stroke). A physician will need

to differentiate if the facial paralysis is due to stroke or

Bell's palsy.

As previously stated, Bell's Palsy is due to lack

of proper function of the facial nerve. In many

cases, the facial paralysis may resolve without

intervention in a time period of two weeks to six

months. However, some times it does not resolve

and becomes a permanent condition.

To effectively treat Bell's palsy, it is necessary to

undo the damage done to the facial nerve in the

first place. If the cause was a viral infection, then

treatment revolves around strengthening the

immune system, clearing out the virus and

resolving any inflammation that may have occurred

with the viral infection.

If there was a facial injury, then it will be

necessary to reduce inflammation and resolve any

trauma to the local tissues including the facial

nerve. If it is possibly due to hypertension, then the

blood pressure needs to be lowered. If it is due to