Facial paralysis is also referred to as Bell’s palsy and happens to be a condition whereby one of the sides of the face meets with paralysis. Bell’s palsy being a self-resolving condition and having partial or even complete weakness of the facial muscles usually affects one side of the face.

The Facial Nerve originates in one’s brain (in the pons) and controls the muscles of one’s forehead, neck as well as facial expressions. It also does stimulate secretions of tears as well as saliva. It is the traumatic experience to suffer from it.

The condition does affect men as well as women alike and as has no age bar and can affect any one side of the face.

One in almost every 65 people does suffer from Bell’s palsy once in their given lifetime. It is indeed the most common disorder affecting just one nerve (mononeuropathy) and thus making it most common cause of acute facial paralysis.

Symptoms

Symptoms range in severity from mild weakness to total paralysis. They include:

• Mild to moderate to severe weakness of facial muscles (one of both sides)
• Paralysis of facial muscles
• Difficulty in drinking, chewing, eating and blowing
• Twitching
• Weakness
• A headache
• Giddiness
• Discomfort or pain in the jaw or behind the ear on the affected side
• Ringing in the ears
• Loss of taste
• Excess tear formation in one eye.
• Impaired sense of taste
• Increased sensitivity to noises in the ear of the affected side
• Symptoms associated with paralysis
• Drooling of saliva
• Drooping eyelid or corner of the mouth
• Dryness of eye or mouth

Facial distortion can be quite significant in Bell’s palsy.

Causes of Bell’s Palsy:

The exact cause does still remain unknown. However, some of the following factors do could cause or rather trigger Bell’s palsy:

• Viral infection
• Lyme Disease
• Trauma or injury

How soon it improves?

One experiences improvement after the first two weeks. Complete recovery is there between 3 to 7 months. Sometimes it takes longer say about 9 months to a year.

Conventional treatment:

• Anti-viral therapy with acyclovir treatment.
• Steriods can be used.
• Painkillers can be taken.
• Lubricating eye-drops are useful.
• Electrical stimulation does help.
• Active physiotherapy session can also be of use.

Homeopathic treatment:

This is the antiviral form of treatment and targets the healing of the nerve that is damaged. The commonly used medications are Causticum, Arnica, Hypericum, Mezerium, Belladonna. There almost 25 medicines to choose from, much depending upon the cause and symptoms.

Hypericum:

It helps cure facial paralysis on account of injury to the nerve. It helps in recovery.

Ignatia:

Ignatia is often made use of for conditions arising out of grief. It is very useful for Bell ’s palsy. The person who requires Ignatia often complains of frequent biting inside one’s cheeks while talking or even swallowing. The mouth may be filled with salvia and other symptoms are like weeping, brooding as well as sadness.

Cadmium Sulph:

Apoplexy means paralysis that comes about on account of hemorrhagic condition. Cadmium Sulph is indeed one of the best Homeopathic medicines for treating facial paralysis that arises out of Apoplexy. The patient requiring Cadmium Sulph will have a distorted face. Such affected person finds swallowing food difficult or is unable to speak properly. He or she finds difficult to close the eye on the affected part.

Bacillinum and Causticum:

These are good for facial paralysis caused due to suppressed eruptions of the face.

Homeopathy is a good remedy for facial paralysis. One can try it out.