Bell's Palsy Onset Symptoms

Bell's palsy occurs when the nerve that controls facial muscles becomes compressed, inflamed or swollen. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 40,000 Americans develop Bell's palsy each year. Bell's palsy symptoms attack suddenly and typically peak within two or three days.

• Bell's Palsy

Common Symptoms

• Bell's palsy typically involves a sudden onset of weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. This makes facial expressions, such as smiling and frowning, very difficult to control.

Other Symptoms

• Patients often suffer from a sudden loss of taste or changes in saliva and tear production. They might also feel ear pain on the affected side.

Causes

• The most common cause of Bell's palsy is the herpes simplex virus. Other viruses associated with Bell's palsy include the herpes zoster virus and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Treatment

• Doctors commonly treat Bell's palsy with corticosteroids, strong anti-inflammatory medications that reduce nerve swelling. Physicians also prescribe antiviral drugs to treat any underlying viral infections.

Recovery

• Most Bell's palsy patients improve within three weeks and completely recover within six months. About 10 percent of patients suffer a recurrence of symptoms.

Considerations

• While Bell's palsy can attack individuals of any age, it rarely affects those younger than 15 years or older than 60.