Bell's palsy
Alternative Names
Facial palsy; Idiopathic peripheral facial palsySymptoms
Symptoms usually start suddenly, and range from mild to severe. They may include:
- Change in facial expression (for example, grimacing)
- Difficulty with eating and drinking
- Drooling due to lack of control over muscles of the face
- Droopy eyelid or corner of mouth
- Dry eye or mouth
- Face feels stiff or pulled to one side
- Facial paralysis of one side of the face, makes it hard to close one eye
- Headache
- Loss of sense of taste
- Pain behind or in front of the ear
- Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis) on the affected side of the face
- Twitching in face
- Weakness in face
Exams and Tests
- Blood tests for sarcoidosis or Lyme disease
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Nerve conduction test
Other causes of cranial mononeuropathy VII, such as head injury and tumor, need to be ruled out.
References
Tiemstra JD, Khatkhate N. Bell's palsy: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician, 2007;76:997-1002.
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