Bell's palsy Diagnosis & treatment

Diagnosis

There's no particular test for Bell's palsy.  Your health care provider will examine your head and ask you to transfer your face muscles by shutting your mind, lifting your forehead, revealing your teeth and frowning, among other motions.

Other conditions such as a stroke, diseases, Lyme disease, and tumors may also cause facial muscle fatigue, mimicking Bell's palsy.  

This evaluation can confirm the existence of neural damage and determine its severity.  An EMG measures the electrical activity of a muscle in response to stimulation and also the character and rate of the conduction of electrical impulses along a nerve-wracking.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) may be required on occasion to rule out other potential sources of stress on the facial nerves, including a tumor or skull fracture.

Remedy 

Many folks with Bell's palsy recover fully without treatment.  There's no one-size-fits-all therapy for Bell's palsy; however, your physician may prescribe drugs or physical therapy to help speed your healing.  Surgery is seldom a choice for Bell's palsy.

Medications

Commonly used drugs to deal with Bell's palsy include:

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are strong anti-inflammatory agents.  If they can lessen the swelling of the facial nerve, then it is going to fit more comfortably inside the rectal corridor that encircles it.  Corticosteroids may work better if they're started within a few days of when your symptoms began.

The use of antivirals remains unsettled.  Antivirals alone have demonstrated no advantage in comparison with placebo.  Antivirals added to steroids are potentially beneficial for many people with Bell's palsy; however, that remains unproved.

However, in spite of this, valacyclovir (Valtrex) can be given together with prednisone in people with acute facial palsy.

Physical treatment 

Paralyzed muscles may shrink and shorten, resulting in irreversible contractures.  A physical therapist may teach you the way you can massage and massage your facial muscles to help stop this from happening.

Surgery

In earlier times decompression operation was used to alleviate the strain on the facial nerve by opening the rectal passage the nerve goes through.  Now, decompression operation isn't advocated.  Facial nerve damage and permanent hearing loss are potential dangers associated with this operation.

Paradoxically, plastic surgery might be required to correct lasting facial nerve issues.

1. Fixing the eye, it is possible to 't shut.  Employing lubricating eye drops through the day and also an eye ointment at night can keep your eye moist.  Wearing goggles or glasses throughout the day and also an eye patch during the night can protect your attention from becoming poked or scratched.
2. Performing your physical therapy exercises.  Massaging and working out your own face in accordance with your physical therapist's guidance might help relax your facial muscles.

Alternative medicine

Though there's little scientific evidence to support using alternative medication for Individuals using Bell's palsy, a few individuals with the illness may benefit in the following:

Acupuncture.  Placing thin needles to some particular stage on the skin helps stimulate muscles and nerves, which might provide some relief.

By instructing you to use your own ideas to control your own body, you might help gain greater control on your muscles.

You'll probably start by visiting your family doctor.  Nonetheless, in certain instances, when you call to set up an appointment, you might be referred immediately to a neurologist.

It's great to get ready for your appointment.  Here's some information that will assist you to get prepared.

Everything you can do

Make certain to include something which might appear irrelevant to the cause of that you scheduled the appointment.

1. Write down vital private info.  Have you ever had any significant stresses or lifestyle changes lately?  Sharing this kind of information might help your physician make a diagnosis.
2. Create a list of medications.  Contain the dose amount of any medicines you're taking, and also don't forget to write down any supplements or vitamins which you're taking, also.
3. Require a relative or friend as well, if at all possible.  Occasionally it can be tricky to remember all the info during a scheduled appointment.  Somebody who accompanies you might recall something which you forgot or missed.
4. Write down questions that you need to ask your physician.

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