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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Bell's Palsy

Bell's Palsy

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

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Alternate Names : Facial Palsy


Definition

Bell's palsy is a disorder caused by damage to cranial nerve VII, involving sudden facial drooping and decreased ability to move the face.

Pictures & Images

Ptosis, Drooping of the Eyelid
Ptosis, Drooping of the Eyelid

Facial Drooping
Facial Drooping

     See all Pictures & Images
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Bell's palsy is an acute form of cranial mononeuropathy VII, and it is the most common form of this type of nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy). Statistics indicate that the disorder affects approximately 2 in 10,000 people. However, the actual incidence is likely to be much higher (around 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000).

The disorder is a mononeuropathy (involvement of a single nerve) that damages the seventh cranial (facial) nerve, the nerve that controls movement of the muscles of the face. The cause is often not clear, although herpes infections may be involved.

The disorder is presumed to be associated with inflammation of the facial nerve where it travels through the bones of the skull. It may also be caused by head injury, tumor, hypertension, sarcoidosis, Lyme disease, or infarction (tissue death) of the nerve.



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Definition
Bell's Palsy Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Bell's Palsy Symptoms & Signs
Bell's Palsy Prevention
Bell's Palsy Diagnosis & Tests
Bell's Palsy Treatment
Bell's Palsy Prognosis
Bell's Palsy Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Corneal Ulcers and Infections
Cranial Mononeuropathy VII
Hypertension
Mononeuropathy
Peripheral Neuropathy
Tumor

Tests & Exams

Blood Pressure

Other Topics

Acute
Chronic
Drooling
Facial Paralysis
Head Injury
Headache
Incidence
Muscle Function Loss
Numbness and Tingling
Safety
Swelling
Taste - Impaired
Weakness

Review Date : 7/28/2002
Reviewed By : Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., MSc, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Bell's Palsy






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