One day you’re perfectly fine. The next morning, half of your face suddenly feels weak. Your smile looks uneven, one eye won’t close properly, and even simple tasks like drinking water become difficult.
This condition is called Bell’s palsy, a temporary paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of the face caused by inflammation of the facial nerve.
The symptoms usually appear suddenly and may include facial drooping, difficulty smiling, inability to close one eye, drooling, changes in taste, and increased sensitivity to sound.
Although the exact cause is not always known, Bell’s palsy is often linked to viral infections that cause swelling of the facial nerve.
The good news is that most people recover completely within weeks to months, especially when treatment is started early.
Because facial drooping can also be a sign of a stroke, anyone experiencing sudden facial weakness should seek immediate medical attention.
Did you know? Most cases of Bell’s palsy affect only one side of the face and can develop within just a few hours.
Question: If a patient suddenly develops facial drooping, what life-threatening condition must always be ruled out first?