D2I2.
neurological

Bell's palsy

Bell's palsy is a type of facial that results in a temporary inability to control the facial muscles on the affected side of the face. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and significantly improves over weeks. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They may include muscle twitching, weakness, or total loss of the ability to move one or, in rare cases, both sides of the face. Other symptoms include drooping of the eyebrow, a change in taste, and pain around the ear. Typically symptoms come on over 48 hours. Bell's palsy can trigger an increased sensitivity to sound known as hyperacusis.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Inability to move the facial muscles on one side, change in taste, pain around the ear

Causes — why it happens

  • ·Unknown

How it's found

  • ·Based on symptoms

Treatment

  • ·, eye drops, eyepatch

Outlook

  • ·Most recover completely
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.