Bell palsy which cranial nerve

On rare occasions, cosmetic or reconstructive surgery may be needed to reduce deformities and correct some damage such as an eyelid that will not fully close or a crooked smile.

The prognosis for individuals with Bell's palsy is generally very good. Clinical evidence of improvement occurs spontaneously within three weeks in 85 percent of cases, and most individuals eventually recover normal facial function.

Some individuals may be left with mild residual facial weakness or show moderate to severe deficits. The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use the knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. The NINDS conducts and supports an extensive research program of basic science to increase understanding of how the nervous system works and what causes the system to sometimes go wrong, leading to dysfunction.

Part of this research program focuses on learning more about the circumstances that lead to nerve damage and the conditions that cause injuries and damage to nerves. For example, in one research project, scientists are studying two genes to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the regeneration of nerve projections axons to their original targets. An understanding of how to regenerate peripheral nerves may lead to ways to prevent nerve damage and injuries from occurring.

Additional projects seek to identify the mechanisms and consequences of neuroinflammation on peripheral nerve function. Knowledge gained from this research may help scientists find the definitive cause of Bell's palsy, leading to the discovery of new effective treatments for the disorder.

Box Bethesda, MD NIH Publication No. Back to: Bell's Palsy Information Page. NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency.

Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history. Corticosteroids, which are used to reduce swelling of the nerve, help people recover and regain facial movement slightly more quickly.

See also Overview of the Cranial Nerves Overview of the Cranial Nerves Twelve pairs of nerves—the cranial nerves—lead directly from the brain to various parts of the head, neck, and trunk. Some of the cranial nerves are involved in the special senses such as seeing Bell palsy is a type of facial nerve palsy, which was originally thought to have no identifiable cause idiopathic facial nerve palsy.

However, current evidence suggests that in some cases, Bell palsy can be caused by a viral infection or another disorder. Infection by herpes simplex virus Herpes Simplex Virus HSV Infections Herpes simplex virus infection causes recurring episodes of small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on the skin, mouth, lips cold sores , eyes, or genitals.

This very contagious viral infection Shingles Shingles Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by a viral infection that results from reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. What causes the virus to reactive Other viruses, such as coxsackievirus, cytomegalovirus Cytomegalovirus CMV Infection Cytomegalovirus infection is a common herpesvirus infection with a wide range of symptoms: from no symptoms to fever and fatigue resembling infectious mononucleosis to severe symptoms involving The infection may also affect the testes, brain, and pancreas, especially in adults.

Mumps is caused The virus is spread through kissing. Symptoms vary, but the most common are extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat It causes a fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches myalgias , and a general Infection causes the nerve to swell.

When the nerve is swollen, it is squeezed compressed by the narrow passageways in the skull that it passes through. Other disorders can cause facial nerve palsy.

Lyme disease Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a tick-transmitted infection caused by Borrelia species, primarily by Borrelia burgdorferi and sometimes by Borrelia mayonii in the United States. These spiral-shaped bacteria In African-Americans, sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis is a disease in which abnormal collections of inflammatory cells granulomas form in many organs of the body.

Sarcoidosis usually develops in people aged 20 to 40, most often people Sometimes tumors and skull fractures cause facial palsy. In Bell palsy, pain behind the ear may be the first symptom. It is thought that it may be due to inflammation that is directed by the body's immune system against the nerve controlling movement of the face.

Bell's palsy is sometimes associated with the following:. The symptoms of Bell's palsy may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

However, your healthcare provider may order tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms and to determine the extent of nerve involvement or damage. These tests may include:. Otherwise, the symptoms are treated as needed. One uniformly recommended treatment for Bell's palsy is protecting the eye from drying at night or while working at a computer.

Eye care may include eye drops during the day, ointment at bedtime, or a moisture chamber at night. This helps protect the cornea from being scratched, which is crucial to the management of Bell's palsy.

Your healthcare provider will prescribe other treatment for your condition based on the severity of your symptoms and your health history. Other treatment options include:.

Some people may choose to use alternative therapies in the treatment of Bell's palsy, but there is no proof they make a difference in recovery. Such treatment may include:. The evaluation depends on the relative loss of innervation of facial muscles and ranges from zero to 30 percent.

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