Bell's Palsy: facial paralysis symptoms and treatment

Bell's Palsy, facial paralysis named after the Scottish surgeon who first described it, does not spare public figures. Israeli broadcaster Avri Gilad described waking one morning to discover half his face was paralyzed, and the difficult questions that followed him through those first hours: whether to carry on with routine, to give in to pressure, to see himself as a victim, or to treat the condition as a tool for inner work.

Gilad is not alone. Culinary personality Michal Ansky revealed in 2019 that she experienced sudden paralysis of half her face during a flight. Two years later, in 2021, singer Anna Zak shared her own struggle with the same syndrome, which kept her away from the spotlight for an extended period. These stories bring awareness to a condition that can appear suddenly, even in people who are entirely healthy.

What is Bell's Palsy and what triggers it?

According to the medical overview presented in the article by Sivan Alkalay Monnier of i24NEWS, Bell's Palsy is caused by damage to the function of the facial nerve, the seventh cranial nerve. This damage occurs as a result of inflammation and swelling that develop around the nerve, which interferes with the transmission of electrical signals from the brain to the muscles of the face. The direct result is sudden paralysis on one side of the face.

The primary cause of the inflammation is the reactivation of a virus that had been dormant in the body, with the leading medical assessment being that it involves reactivation of the herpes virus. This reactivation typically occurs following a temporary decline in the function of the immune system.

Common triggers for that immune dip include stress, fatigue, illness such as a cold or flu, and other strain on the body. The condition can strike anyone, but it is more common among pregnant women and people with diabetes.

The good news is that Bell’s Palsy is usually temporary. Most patients start to improve within a few weeks, and the majority recover fully within about three to six months. Treatment typically involves corticosteroids, which work best when started within the first few days, sometimes with antiviral medication. Because the affected eye may not close properly, protecting it with eye drops and covering it at night is also important.

Doctors stress, however, that sudden facial weakness should never be self-diagnosed. Because it can also be a sign of a stroke, anyone who experiences it should seek medical attention immediately.