Introduction

Bell's palsy is a condition that affects your ability to control facial muscles on one side. The exact cause of Bell's palsy is unknown, but it is thought to happen when the facial nerve (the 7^th cranial nerve) is not working properly. Many experts believe it might be related to a viral infection that causes swelling in the nerve.

The Facial Nerve and Its Functions

The facial nerve, also known as the 7th cranial nerve, runs from the pons through a small canal in the skull, and exits at a point behind the ear. It is responsible for

• Controlling movement of facial muscles
• Taste
• Regulating tear and salivary glands

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy

Bell's palsy usually causes drooping on one side of the face. Some people may feel pain behind their ear a day or two before they notice any weakness. Others might find that sounds seem louder than usual before other symptoms appear. Common symptoms include:

• Pain in or behind the ear
• Increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side
• Facial paralysis on one side
• Difficulty blinking
• Reduced tearing
• Drooping of the mouth
• Changes in taste
• Slurred speech
• Drooling
• Trouble eating or drinking

Left side Bell’s palsy

Treatment

• Medication
  
  • Medication is used to treat the underlying conditions causing Bell’s palsy.

• Physiotherapy
  
  • Physiotherapy can prevent facial muscle atrophy and help prevent contractures of affected muscles. It includes facial massage, therapeutic exercises, electrical muscle stimulation and acupuncture

Facial Exercises

Doing facial exercises can help improve the function of your facial muscles. You can practice these exercises in front of a mirror, doing each movement 10 times, 3 to 5 times a day.

1.      Eyebrow Lift Lift your eyebrows as high as possible. Then relax. Video: http://youtu.be/h-y382MEzZY
2.      Frown Squeeze your forehead muscles to frown, hold, and then relax. Video: http://youtu.be/VrEL8XwlGMo
3.      Close One Eye Close one eye. Repeat each side. Video: http://youtu.be/UThrsAByMbw
4.      Nostril Flare Close one nostril with your finger, and try to flare your opposite nostril. Repeat to the other side. Video: http://youtu.be/swIkoVHpef4
5.      Smile Smile, by turning the corners of your mouth upwards. Hold this position, and relax. Repeat as required. Video: http://youtu.be/_J_bh0V51pU
6.      Reverse Smile Reverse smile, by turning the corners of your mouth downwards. Video: http://youtu.be/2pvWMaPr1ws
7.      Lip Pout Pout your lips outwards, hold, and then relax. Video: http://youtu.be/fykx-KVrbEQ
8.      Puffa Keeping your mouth shut, blow outwards to bulge your cheeks. Hold this position, and relax. Video: http://youtu.be/A7HZeFPBNQY
9.      Sucka Keeping your mouth shut, suck your cheeks inwards. Hold this position, and relax. Video: http://youtu.be/JGbEy8ZRP9s
10.  Platysma Strengthening Pull the corners of your mouth downwards and outwards to create a contraction at the front of your neck. Relax, and repeat. Video: http://youtu.be/VwkZ3L7sBxU

Home Care Tips

Here are some simple ways to care for yourself at home:

• Wear protective glasses to keep dust out of your eyes.
• Manually close your eye to keep it moist.
• Use artificial tears to keep your eye lubricated.
• Tape the eye overnight
• Drink with a straw to avoid food getting stuck in the mouth.

(All information provided is for reference only. Please contact your physiotherapist or physician should you have any enquiry.)

References:

Bell’s Palsy. (2012). Physiopedia. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Bell's_Palsy

Facial Palsy. (2018). Physiopedia. https://www.physio-pedia.com/Facial_Palsy?utm_source=physiopedia&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=ongoing_internal