• Facial palsy is also called – Bell’s palsy.
• Idiopathic facial paralysis. facial paralysis
• Facial palsy is a 7th cranial nerve disorder (facial nerve).
• The function of the 7th cranial nerve – control the muscles of facial expression.
• Receive taste sensations
• Increase saliva production.
• The facial nerve is a mixed nerve that contains sensory, motor and autonomic fibres.
• Bell’s palsy is a lower motor neuron disorder.
• 90% facial palsy is capable of self-recovery.

Definition of bell’s palsy

• Facial palsy is a sudden weakness in the muscles on one half of the face.
• bells palsy nhs for more details

bell’s palsy causes

• Idiopathic
• Herpes simplex
• Mumps virus
• Respiratory illness
• Chicken pox and shingles
• Meningitis and encephalitis
• Brain stroke
• German measles
• Cytomegalovirus infection
• Influenza B
• Diabetes
• Upper respiratory tract infection.

bell’s palsy symptoms

• Sudden weakness and paralysis of one side facial muscles.
• Patient unable to close eyelids.
• Dropping of eyes.
• Decreased tear secretion.
• Irritation in the eye.
• Drooling from one side of the mouth.
• Photophobia.
• Decrease blink reflex.
• Disturb body image.
• Painful eye sensation.
• Painful facial expressions.
• Headache
• Altered taste sensation.
• Difficulty raising eyebrows.
• Xerophthalmia.

bell’s palsy examination

• History collection and physical examination.
• CT scan and MRI.
• Electromyography (EMG).
• X-rays and image scan.
• Patient signs and symptoms.

facial palsy treatment

• Corticosteroid drugs – prednisolone
• For inflammation and to reduce swelling of the facial nerve.
• Analgesic – to control pain.
• Antiviral drugs.
• Artificial tears – to cover affected eyes and treat xerophthalmia.
• Moist heat application.
• Ciplox ointment → eye ointment → prevent infection.
• NSAID.
• Proton pump inhibitors.
• Nerve fortifier – vitamin B6, pregabalin, Nevaska.
• Physical therapy and facial exercise.

Surgical management bells palsy nhs

• Plastic surgery of face.

Complication

• Ageusia – chronic loss of taste
• Gusto Lacrimal reflex – Also known crocodile tear syndrome.
• Corneal ulceration.
• Hemi facial spasm.
• Social embarrassment.
• Jaw winking.
• Keratitis.

Nursing management

• Nurse physical finding and analysis the cause.
• Administer analgesic to relieve pain.
• Apply hot packs to improve circulation and reduce pain.
• Educate the patient to chew food on the unaffected side of the mouth.
• Encouragement for facial exercise.
• Nurses maintain patient face muscles tone by making a puff on the affected side.
• Encourage patients to raise their eyebrows.
• Maintain oral hygiene and remove secretions.
• Provide artificial tears or patch to maintain eye moisture.
• Also ointment and eye shield use at night to maintain eye moisture.
• Provide instruction to the patient to inform about ocular pain, drainage or discharge.
• Provide facial massage.
• Provide emotional and physiological support due to disturbing body image.

interesting facts about bell’s palsy