Bells palsy idiopathic facial paralysis Homeopathic Treatment

Bell's palsy or idiopathic facial paralysis, is a dysfunction of cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) that results in inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. Several conditions can cause afacial paralysis, e.g., brain tumor, stroke, and Lyme disease. However, if no specific cause can be identified, the condition is known as Bell's palsy. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve) and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis. Bell's palsy is defined as an idiopathic unilateral facial nerve paralysis, usually self-limiting. The trademark is rapid onset of partial or complete palsy, usually in a single day. It can occur bilaterally resulting in total facial paralysis in around 1% of cases. It is thought that an inflammatory condition leads to swelling of the Facial nerve.The nerve travels through the skull in a narrow bone canal beneath the ear. Nerve swelling and compression in the narrow bone canal are thought to lead to nerve inhibition, damage or death. No readily identifiable cause for Bell's palsy has been found. Corticosteroids have been found to improve outcomes while anti-viral drugs have not. Early treatment is necessary for steroids to be effective. Most people recover spontaneously and achieve near-normal to normal functions. Many show signs of improvement as early as 10 days after the onset, even without treatment. Often the eye in the affected side cannot be closed. The eye must be protected from drying up, or the cornea may be permanently damaged resulting in impaired vision. In some cases denture wearers experience some discomfort.

1. Types of Bells Palsy

Types of Bells Palsy

2. Pathology of Bells Palsy

It is thought that as a result of inflammation of the facial nerve, pressure is produced on the nerve where it exits the skull within its bony canal, blocking the transmission of neural signals or damaging the nerve. Patients with facial palsy for which an underlying cause can be found are not considered to have Bell's palsy per se. Possible causes include tumor, meningitis, stroke, diabetes mellitus, head trauma and inflammatory diseases of the cranial nerves(sarcoidosis, brucellosis, etc.) .In these conditions, the neurologic findings are rarely restricted to the facial nerve. Babies can be born with facial palsy. In a few cases, bilateral facial palsy has been associated with acute HIV infection.

In some researches the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) was identified in a majority of cases diagnosed as Bell's palsy. This has given hope for anti-inflammatory and anti-viral drug therapy (prednisone and acyclovir). Other researcher however, identifies HSV-1 in only 31 cases (18 percent),herpes zoster (zoster sine herpete) in 45 cases (26 percent) in a total of 176 cases clinically diagnosed as Bell's Palsy. That infection with herpes simplex virus should play a major role in cases diagnosed as Bell's palsy therefore remains a hypothesis that requires further research.

In addition, the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is associated with demyelination of nerves. This nerve damage mechanism is different from the above mentioned - that oedema, swelling and compression of the nerve in the narrow bone canal is responsible for nerve damage. Demyelination may not even be directly caused by the virus, but by an unknown immune system response. The quote below captures this hypothesis and the implication for other types of treatment:

It is also possible that HSV-1 replication itself is not responsible for the damage to the facial nerves and that inhibition of HSV-1 replication by acyclovir does not prevent the progression of nerve dysfunction. Because the demyelination of facial nerves caused by HSV-1 reactivation, via an unknown immune response, is implicated in the pathogenesis of HSV-1-induced facial palsy, a new strategy of treatment to inhibit such an immune reaction may be also effective.

3. Causes of Bell’s palsy

Some viruses are thought to establish a persistent (or latent) infection without symptoms, e.g. the Zoster virus of the face and Epstein- Barr viruses, both of the herpes family. Reactivation of an existing (dormant) viral infection has been suggested as cause behind the acute Bell's palsy. Studies suggest that this new activation could be preceded by trauma, environmental factors, and metabolic or emotional disorders, thus suggesting that stress - emotional stress, environmental stress (e.g. cold), physical stress (e.g. trauma) - in short, a host of different conditions, may trigger reactivation.

4. Signs and symptoms of Bells Palsy

Bell's palsy is characterized by facial drooping on the affected half, due to malfunction of the facial nerve ( 7th cranial nerve ) which controls the muscles of the face. Facial palsy is typified by inability to control movement in the facial muscles. The paralysis is of the infranuclear/lower motor neuron type.

The facial nerves control a number of functions, such as blinking and closing the eyes, smiling, frowning, lacrimation, and salivation. They also innervate the stapedial (stapes) muscles of the middle ear and carry taste sensations from the anterior two thirds of the tongue.

Clinicians should determine whether the forehead muscles are spared. Due to an anatomical peculiarity, forehead muscles receive innervation from both sides of the brain.The forehead can therefore still be wrinkled by a patient whose facial palsy is caused by a problem in one of the hemispheres of the brain( Central facial palsy) . If the problem resides in the facial nerve itself (peripheral palsy) all nerve signals are lost on the ipsilateral (same side of the lesion) half side of the face, including to the forehead (contralateral forehead still wrinkles).

One disease that may be difficult to exclude in the differential diagnosis is involvement of the facial nerve in infections with the herpes zoster virus. The major differences in this condition are the presence of small blisters, or vesicles, on the external ear and hearing disturbances, but these findings may occasionally be lacking ( zoster sine herpete) .

Lyme disease may produce the typical palsy, and may be easily diagnosed by looking for Lyme-specific antibodies in the blood. In endemic areas lyme disease may be the most common cause of facial palsy.

The degree of nerve damage can be assessed using the House-Brackmann score.

Although defined as a mononeuritis (involving only one nerve), patients diagnosed with Bell’s palsy may have "myriad neurological symptoms" including "facial tingling, moderate or severe headache/neck pain, memory problems, balance problems, ipsilateral limb paresthesias, ipsilateral limb weakness, and a sense of clumsiness" that are "unexplained by facial nerve dysfunction". This is yet an enigmatic facet of this condition.

5. Bell’s palsy diagnosed

If you suspect that you have Bell’s palsy, then you should visit your GP or attend A & E as soon as possible. It is important to seek medical advice within 72 hours of onset, as research indicates that this is the optimum period of time in which Bell's palsy will successfully respond to treatment.

The diagnosis of Bell’s palsy is a diagnosis made by exclusion (that is, by ruling out other possible causes).

A doctor will carry out a neurological examination. He/she will ask you to perform a range of facial movements, such as closing your eye, puckering your lips, raising your eyebrows and smiling. A diagnosis of Bell’s palsy is likely if you have rapidly lost the ability to move the affected side of your face at all, or your facial movement is severely impaired and you have no other symptoms or signs.

To eliminate any other potential causes, your doctor may also request that you undergo:
Blood tests to rule out other potential causes, such as Lyme disease and Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
Imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerised tomography (CT scan), to rule out other potential causes such as tumours.

Tests with an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist.
A nerve test called electromyography (EMG) may be requested sometime after the onset of facial paralysis to identify if the facial nerve has been damaged, and if so, how much damage has taken place. It is not a diagnostic test but gives useful information about how the facial nerve is working. Find out more about medical tests.

6. Homeopathic treatment for Bells Palsy

Homeopathy can really do wonders in case of nervous disorders. Homeopathy will make one raise one's eyebrows by its treatment of Bell's palsy with its fast action in rejuvenating nerves. In Homeopathy, if sufferers happen to take care of complaints in the start-up itself with the right medicine, then the start-up of Bell's palsy can be halted and prevented. Also, Homeopathy can terminate Bell's palsy at the earliest by stimulating the affected nerve to regain its normal functions. Here one should be aware that Homeopathy medicines act through sensitive nerves in the tongue.

Homeopathy is the only system which gives importance to internal mode of treatment. Homeopathy cares and gives importance to a patient's feelings and sensations. The well-selected medicine prescribed for the patients to the core of the disease will certainly stimulate the suffering nerve(s) to regain normalcy and remain in endurance. Homoeopathy can ensure better relief / cure from Bell's palsy at the earliest than any other system of medicine, without any side-effects.

7. Homeopathic Remedies(medicines) Bell’s palsy or fasical paralysis

Besides some of the following ingredients, the product contains Dr Gurpreet Singh Makkar(punjab,India), Research based, highly effective medicine

Aconite

Bell’s palsy from exposure to dry, cold winds, with great fear, worry and anxiety of mind.

Agaricus

Facial muscles feel stiff, twitch, face itch and burns. Bell’s palsy. Lancinating, tearing pain in cheeks, as of splinters. Neuralgia, as if cold needles ran through nerves or sharp ice touched them.

Baryta carb

Bell’s palsy in old men with mental and bodily weakness.

Belladonna

Bell’s palsy after after exposure to draughts of cold air, cold wind, uncovering the head, getting wet,sun and by taking sausage and wine.

Causticum

Bell’s palsy after working or riding, in clear fine weather, dry cold wind, while coming from cold air into a warm room.Paralysis of Right side of Face.

Kali chloricum

For the tenderness of the affected portion in the bell’s palsy, this medicine should be given in the beginning of the treatment or after Aconite or Causticum if full relief is not obtained.

Gelsemium

Bell’s palsy with aching in occiput, numbness, tremor, speech difficult.

Graphites

Bell’s palsy with swelling, sensation as of a cobweb on the face.

Hyoscyamus

Bell’s palsy. When the paralysis is of mercurial origin with unintelligible speech.

Lachesis

Bell’s palsy of left side with slow speech.

Nux vomica

Bell’s palsy in persons who are nervous, irritable, hypersensitive and overimpressionable with digestive disturbances, portal congestion, and hypochondrical states.

Homeopathic Herbal Tips are idea to help people to recognize potential of homeopathic medicines.None of Homeopathic medicine should be used without consent of Qualified Physician.You can take medicine from professionally Qualified physician after full case taking for more detail please follow link .

8. Homeopathic Rubrics for Bells Palsy

BELL'S, PALSY: 1Acon, 2Agar, 1All-c, 1Alum, 2Am-p, 1Anac, 1Anh, 1Apis, 2Arn, 1Ars, 1Bac, 1Bapt, 2Bar-c, 3Bell, 2Cadm-s, 1Carb-v, 1Carc, 3Caust, 2Cocc, 1Colch, 1Con, 1Crot-h, 2Cupr, 2Cur, 2Dulc, 1Form, 2Gels, 2Graph, 1Hell, 1Hep, 1Hyos, 1Hyper, 2Ign, 1Iod, 2Kali-chl, 2Kali-i, 1Kali-m, 1Kali-p, 1Lach, 1Lyc, 1Merc, 1Merc-i-f, 1Mur-ac, 1Naja, 1Nat-m, 1Nux-m, 2Nux-v, 1Ol-an, 1Op, 1Oxyu-s, 1Peti, 1Petr, 1Phos, 1Phys, 1Physal, 1Phyt, 1Plat, 1Plb, 1Puls, 1Ran-b, 1Rhus-t, 1Ruta, 1Sec, 1Seneg, 1Sep, 1Sil, 1Solid, 1Spig, 1Stram, 1Stry, 1Sulph, 1Syph, 1Zinc, 1Zinc-p, 1Zinc

FACE - PARALYSIS - left

FACE - PARALYSIS - right

FACE - PARALYSIS - one side

BELL'S, PALSY, Cold, from: 1Acon, 2Cadm-s, 3Caust, 2Dulc, 1Ruta

BELL'S, PALSY, Riding, in the wind, from: 1Acon, 1Bell, 2Cadm-s, 3Caust, 1Ign

BELL'S, PALSY, Twitching, of muscles, with: 1Agar, 1Kali-m, 1Syph

s good in homoeopathy.

General Medicines...

Causticum,acon,agar,bar c, Bell,cadm s, Cocc, Cupr,cur, dulcamara,gels, graph, IGN,k chl, k iod, nv,

Rt,

Some Rubric on specific indications...

From bathing.. graph

With difficult chewing... syphilinum.

From cold.. Causticum (dulc,cadm s,)

With distortion of muscle... graph

From suppressed goitre..iod

Can't close eye...cadm s

With closed eyes... Apis

Left side... NV,cur,all c,(Spig, Sulph.. Kent)

RT sided... causticum, Arn, Phos

With salivation.. zinc,agar,op

With pain..k chl,km,

Opening of mouth aggravation... Causticum

One sided... causticum, BC, GRP, Cocc,kchl

Due to riding in the wind... Causticum,cadm s

Difficult swallowing...cadm s

Difficult talking...symph,cadm s

With twitching of muscle...km

With twitching of eyelid... syphilinum

With profuse urination...all c

After getting wet... Causticum

Paralyzed upper lip...cadm, graph (Kent)

Paralyzed lower jaw... NV,(ARS,crot h,dulc,ach,ran b)

In evening...ran b.

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