Bell’s palsy

May 28, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I recently met with a friend I hadn’t seen for a few weeks. She has Bell’s palsy. I didn’t know what to say or do. Are there any new medications or alternative treatments that I can pass on to her? She is a senior citizen and has frozen face muscles, her vision is affected and is also experiencing leg pain. Thanks for any information.

DEAR READER: Bell’s palsy, also known as facial palsy, is a symptom, not a disease; however, in many cases the exact cause cannot be found. The condition is characterized by a sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscle of half the face, although very rarely, the condition can affect both sides. Between 30,000 and 40,000 people are diagnosed each year.
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Bell’s palsy may cause lasting damage

October 15, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy on the left side of my face six and a half years ago. I was told it was stress-induced and the doctor prescribed prednisone and, I believe ,an anti-inflammatory medication. I took those for about a week to 10 days. It was the only treatment I ever received for the condition.

I knew a little about Bell’s palsy and figured it would clear up in a few months but now, after all this time, it has gotten better but still has not totally resolved.

I have difficulty with the left side of my mouth; it just doesn’t seem to “work” correctly. It is a little difficult to chew on that side and sometimes, when I am speaking mostly, I get a little drool [Read more...]

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Daily Column

April 17, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a speech therapist. A while ago you wrote about treatments for Bell’s palsy and mentioned physical therapy among other things. I was disappointed, however, that you didn’t mention speech therapy which may be more beneficial for sufferers. Please let your readers know about this therapy.

DEAR READER:
Done.

In all honesty, I hadn’t thought of speech therapy as a treatment for Bell’s palsy. When most people think of speech therapy, they think it is used for children who have difficulty enunciating properly or have facial deformities (such as a cleft palate) that make speaking difficult.

So readers, if you are suffering from Bell’s palsy, consider a referral to a speech therapist familiar with treating the condition. Similarly, if any readers have had positive (or negative) results from speech therapy for Bell’s palsy, please let me know. I will print a follow-up.

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Can B12 Help Bell’S Palsy Symptoms?

February 15, 2009 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I would like to tell you about my experience with an annoying condition, called Bell’s palsy, while on a tour in Italy.

I had been riding near an open window on our bus and woke up the next morning with partial facial paralysis (drooping cheek, mouth and more). My father had died of a stroke a few years before and some of his symptoms were similar so I became worried. Our tour director immediately took me to a doctor in the town we had spent the night in where I was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy.

It was explained to me that if I left it untreated, the affected nerve might die and cause a permanent drooping and weakness. I was then given a massive dose of vitamin B12 by injection. The doctor suggested to me that I have two more shots at six day intervals which I did. Within six weeks, the symptoms were completely gone. [Read more...]

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Daily Column

July 11, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been suffering with Bell’s palsy for over one year. Although I have shown remarkable recovery, I have not returned to normal. I still can’t whistle, nor do I have total control of the left side of my face.

From this point, I am at my wit’s end about getting back to normal. Is there anything I can do to improve my condition? Over the course of the last four months, I have not shown any more progress.

DEAR READER:
Bell’s palsy is facial paralysis that results from damage or trauma to one of the two facial nerves. As a general rule, one side of the face is affected; however, both sides can be involved. Symptoms can come on suddenly without warning and reach their peak within 48 hours. The condition can occur at any age, but generally doesn’t affect individuals under the age of 15, or those over 60. [Read more...]

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