Health's Book

Definition

Bell's palsy is a temporary form of facial paralysis that occurs with damage to the nerve that controls movement of the muscles in the face.

Symptoms

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