Bells Palsy

Bells Palsy is a frightening paralyzing condition. Imagine waking up one morning and the face staring back at you is not yours--well, most of it anyway. This is the way that thousands of people who deal with Bells Palsy felt at one time or another. A temporary paralysis condition of the face, Bell's Palsy is a frightening thing for any person to deal with. Many people even think that what they have been the victim of is a serious stroke. In many cases, a stroke is not the case and Bell's Palsy is, but only a doctor can diagnose that.

What Causes Bells Palsy?

There is a myth that Bell's Palsy is a slight stroke, and that is why such a large portion of the face is paralyzed. This is not at all the case; Bells Palsy is actually a paralyzing condition of the face. When Bell's Palsy has occurred, the nerves that control the face have become swollen, compressed or otherwise agitated. This is what is causing the paralysis of the face, the effect that so many people see as the sign of a stroke. In addition to the facial paralysis, Bell's Palsy may also be indicated by watery eyes, in particular the eyes that are affected by the paralysis.

Who Can Diagnose Bells Palsy?

If you think you have Bell's Palsy or are experiencing symptoms even close to those of Bells Palsy, the best thing to do is get to a doctor as soon as possible. While it is not always possible to know that the condition is occurring right away, getting to the hospital as soon as possible after the paralysis has occurred is imperative. This is what can make such a difference, and if the symptoms are those of a stroke and not temporary facial paralysis the promptness of treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Who Can Suffer from Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy can affect anybody, and everybody is at risk. More than 40,000 people in the United States alone fall victim to this condition. It usually occurs in people who are less than 16 years of age or over the age of 60. This is not for certain as there are many people between these ages who have fallen victim to the condition. It does not discriminate, although the aforementioned ages are the majority of the cases of Bells Palsy that have been documented.

Is Bell's Palsy a Permanent Condition?

Since Bells Palsy affects such an important part of a person's image--their face--many people fear that the condition will be a permanent one. If you are suffering from Bell's Palsy or know someone who is, rest assured that that is not the case at all. There are many people who have fallen victim to Bell's Palsy that have had symptoms as long as six months and perhaps a bit more, but these instances are rare. A percentage of the population of Bells Palsy sufferers have been known to have recurring symptoms of this condition, but at this point in time there have been no documented cases of permanent paralysis due to Bell's Palsy.

Am I At Risk for Bell's Palsy?

At this point in time, there is no sure fire way to be able to tell whether or not a person will contract Bells Palsy. At the same time, many people out there have fallen victim to it and not known for some while, so those who know themselves better obviously have a better advantage when it comes to early diagnosis. There are treatment options available, but the proper diagnosis and steps must be taken before treatment is even something to consider.

Bell's Palsy can be devastating and very, very scary for the person experiencing it. It is important to remember that you are not alone and that the condition is not a death sentence, but the result of an aggravated nerve. If anything, it should serve as a reminder for how delicate and sensitive the human body is. It can be treated, but it may take some time. Medical care is the most important thing, and can lead to proper treatment and a full recovery.