In response to someone's earlier request on this topic, I went to the
public library Wednesday evening in hopes of resolving the questions of
what Bell's palsy is and what causes it. The results of the search
follow.
Bell's palsy is named after Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842), a Scottish
physiologist and surgeon who worked in London. This condition is also
known as facial palsy.
>From _Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary_: "unilateral facial
paralysis of sudden onset, due to lesion of the facial nerve and
resulting in characteristic distortion of the face." Lesion in this
context means 'injury' or 'harm,' and not necessarily an external sore.
>From _The Complete Medical Guide_, by Benjamin F. Miller, M.D.:
"temporary paralysis (esp. facial) caused by infection or cold drafts
[more on that later!]. Normally clears up after some days or weeks."
>From _A Popular Guide to Medical Language_, by Edward R. Brace: "A
neurological (nerve) disorder that affects only one nerve and its
branches -- the facial (VII cranial) nerve that supplies the facial
muscles. The cause is unknown, but it is thought that the facial
nerve becomes swollen and compressed; this can happen relatively easily,
since it passes through a narrow bony tunnel on its way to the facial
muscles.
"The onset is sudden; in most cases the full signs of facial
paralysis occur within a single day. Some patients occasionally
experience pain behind the ear before the facial muscles become
incapable of movement. The abrupt onset is important in diagnosis,
since other forms of facial paralysis may appear similar but be the
result of a different disorder.
"The classical signs of Bell's palsy involve only one side of the
face, although rarely both sides are involved. One corner of the mouth
droops, the furrows or wrinkles of the skin over the forehead relax (it
is impossible to scowl) and it may not be possible to close the eye on
the affected side. The face feels heavy and numb and saliva may dribble
from the affected corner of the mouth. The patient is unable to blow
out the cheeks or whistle. A few people also experience a partial loss
of taste.
"Recovery is less common in the elderly than in younger patients,
although if some improvement is noticed within a few weeks of the onset
of paralysis the outlook is favorable, and total recovery may occur.
Prompt medical attention is important, including protection of the
exposed eye (especially during sleep). The earlier treatment is begun,
the better the chances of recovery."
Dr. Miller suggests that the cause may be cold drafts, while Mr. Brace
states that the cause is unknown. So even the experts can't agree on a
cause. It would seem that driving with the top down in cold weather is
akin to driving without wearing a seat belt: you pays your money and
you takes your chances. Me, I'm playing it safe: I wear my seat belt
when I drive, and I put the top up when it's cold. Drooling ain't my
idea of a good time.
If anyone wants more info, I can drop by the university library next
time I'm up that way. Let me know by e-mail.
One final note on cold drafts: perhaps Old Joe Lucas and his famous
refrigerators aren't the real reason the British drink warm beer. The
real reason is that they don't want Bell's palsy! So the next time
you're in your favorite pub, don't take unnecessary risks. If you're
going to drink cold beer, get the bottled or canned product. :-) :-)
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T.J. Higgins uunet!ingr!higgins (UUCP)
Intergraph Corp. M/S CR041 higgins@ingr.com (Internet)
One Madison Industrial Park
Huntsville, AL 35894-0001 "Well-weathered leather, hot metal
(205) 730-6191 and oil, the scent of country air"
-Rush
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