All you need to know about: Bell’s Palsy

Maharashtra Minister Dhananjay Munde reveals Bell's Palsy diagnosis, a temporary condition causing facial muscle weakness and paralysis.

Maharashtra’s Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Dhananjay Munde announced this week that he was suffering from Bell’s Palsy, which, he said, had severely affected his ability to speak. “Currently, I cannot speak properly for even two minutes, which has prevented me from attending cabinet meetings and public events,” Mr. Munde said in a social media post. About two weeks ago, the Minister had undergone eye surgery and had been advised to stay away from bright lights, dust and sun exposure.

Bell’s Palsy is a condition that causes weakness or temporary paralysis of the facial muscles. The movement of muscles in your face are controlled by a nerve called the facial nerve or the seventh cranial nerve. It is believed that when this nerve is inflamed or irritated, it can cause this condition. In general, Bell’s Palsy is temporary, and goes away in time. Also known as Idiopathic Peripheral Facial Palsy, it is named after Sir Charles Bell who was a Scottish surgeon, anatomist and neurologist and is considered to be the first to have described it in the early 19th century.

In most cases, the exact cause of Bell’s Palsy is unknown (idiopathic). Sometimes it may be caused by a reaction after a viral infection. Bell’s Palsy can affect anyone, at any age, but is more common in adults. Having diabetes and being pregnant may increase your risk of getting Bell’s Palsy. Other risk factors include preeclampsia, obesity, hypertension and certain conditions including Lyme disease and sarcoidosis.

Symptoms can come on suddenly and usually develop on one side of the face. They can include: facial drooping, difficulty in making facial expressions, drooling, difficulty in closing the eyelid, facial pain, trouble smiling, problems with taste and eating/drinking. In rare cases, both sides of the face may be affected.

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy may look like the symptoms of other conditions including strokes and Guillain-Barre syndrome. It is important to see a doctor for the right diagnosis.

In most people symptoms of Bell’s Palsy usually start to improve within a few weeks and eventually go away completely. Most cases do not need treatment. However, doctors may prescribe medication to help such as eye drops/ointments, steroids to reduce swelling, antiviral medications and others. Most people recover completely and regain full facial strength. In rare cases however, the condition may be long lasting.