The journalist said via social media that she has Bell’s palsy; see the symptoms and how the condition is diagnosed
In the last week there has been a lot of talk about Bell’s palsya condition that struck the journalist Fernanda Gentil. The presenter said, in a post on social media, that she realized her problem when she tried to kiss her son and her mouth felt crooked.
According to otoneurologist Dr. Nathália Prudencio, Bell’s palsy is defined as an inflammatory process of the seventh cranial nerve, called the facial nerve. It is responsible for the contraction of the muscles of the face and, therefore, its inflammation, caused by viruses, such as Herpes simplex, causes difficulties in this sense.
“The patient may report a sensation of pain, numbness or tingling in half of the face, pain near or behind the ear, accompanied by weakening or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side only,” explains the otolaryngologist specializing in dizziness and tinnitus.
So, figure out how diagnosis of the condition and its differences from the well-known stroke:
Diagnosis of the condition
According to Dr. Nathália, the first thing to consider, in addition to the symptoms described by the patient, is the physical examination. In it you can notice the difficulty with simple movements such as frowning, whistling, smiling and even closing the eyes on the affected side.
“We also notice a deviation of the patient’s mouth towards the healthy side”, comments the doctor. Next, the professional may order additional tests to rule out other causes of facial nerve palsy.
Once diagnosed, treatment begins as quickly as possible. It usually includes oral corticosteroids to reduce inflammation that occurs in the facial nerve associated with antivirals. For patients who cannot close their eyes, it is also important to use eye lubricant and wear protection at night.
“The majority of patients with Bell’s palsy will recover facial movements over the weeks without suffering any consequences, however a small percentage may require additional treatments if no improvement is noticed”, underlines the specialist.
Bell’s palsy
The doctor explains that the difference between Bell’s palsy, also called peripheral facial paralysis, and a stroke is how the facial muscles are involved. There is also the presence of some focal neurological deficits in conjunction with the paralysis, such as muscle weakness in other regions of the body or mental confusion.
“In Bell’s Palsy we have paralysis of the muscles of the entire hemiface, which cover the upper and lower quadrants of half the patient’s face. In paralysis caused by a central event, such as a stroke, the involvement occurs in a single instant in a single quadrant of the face, hemiface”, he says.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
