Bells palsy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

campanas paralysis - Research Paper typefaceSudden weakness that affects one side of the face causing it to droop. This is the most crucial symptom of Bells palsy. The difficulty arises in closing the eye of that side of the face. 2. Eye becomes dry or produces ebullient tears. Sense of taste is also impacted. Bells palsy also affects saliva production. 3. Numbness is a nonher symptom that is plant in the affected side of the face. 4. Sometimes, it pains behind the ear to the affected side of the face. 5. Difficulty in smiling, or in creating facial expressions. 6. Eating and drinking problems on the affected side of the face. 7. Twitching on the affected side of face. Causes and Risk Factors The spend a penny of Bells palsy is not quite perish however, it is believed that herpes infection may hasten Bells palsy. Viral infection also may cause this disease. Viruses that cause diseases such as chickenpox, respiratory illnesses, rubella, mumps, flu, hand-foot-and-mouth disease may also be trusty for causing Bells palsy. Other conditions that may be behind this disease atomic number 18 Lyme disease, HIV infection, Sarcoidosis, or side center ear infection. The Bells palsy occur due to swelling of facial fondness due to any indispensable or external cause (PubMed Health, 2012). The people who have an upper respiratory infection often atomic number 18 also considered prone to the disease. Pregnant women carry risk during the last trimester and in the first week by and by(prenominal) giving birth. Statistics reveal that people in their 40s are more prone to the disease. The people with family history are prone to Bells palsy. Bells palsy is often a frightening experience when it occurs creating a feeling of cam stroke however, stroke symptoms are much more intense unlike Bells palsy that usually vanishes after some time. Stroke generates symptoms such as difficulty speaking, numbness in legs and arms, severe headache and dizziness, and foggy visio n. Bells palsy may also cause difficulty in speaking nevertheless then the cause is purely muscular and nothing related to brain functioning. Bells palsy may cause some wide term complications too that may occur a few months after onset of the disease and that include permanent tightening of the facial muscles and tearing of eye during eating (PubMed Health, 2012). Diagnosis A complete corporeal examination may diagnose Bells palsy. If the condition is due to some brain tumor then MRI or CT scan may be necessary. These tests help ensure if the cause of pressure on facial nerve is tumor or skull fracture. Sometimes, balance test is done to attend out if balance nerves are associated. Similarly, hearing tests become necessary if nerve injury has caused damage to inner ear or hearing mechanism. In wider complications, a lumbar puncture test involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is carried out so as to eliminate the possibility of autoimmune disease, meningitis or any smirch growt h of a tumor. Otherwise, Nerve Conduction Test and Electromyography (EMG) may identify Bells palsy (Wood, 2012). Nerve Conduction Test The Nerve Conduction Test is done to find the extent of nerve damage by measuring how fast signal moves through nerve. Electromyography (EMG) The test is used to determine the nerve damage and its severity by measuring the electrical activity of a muscle such as speed of conduction through stimulation. Usually, this test is employed along with Nerve Conduction Test. Epidemiology Bells palsy is not found to show gender predilection. Female teenagers are found to be affected more but males suffer in large numbers once they cross