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Is Bells Palsy Completely Curable ?
dear sir , i am arman from goa , male , age 39 , i was having cold and cough with heavy headache for almost a week ,than suddenly one morning i got bels palsy on right side of face with right eye not completely closing and lips not aligned . have shown to neurosurgeon and taken out ct scan which all have been normal reports . i have been started with steroids as per neurosurgeon s consultation. pls guide how soon it will be normal .my email id is arminesind@gmail.com
posted on
Wed, 13 Apr 2011
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 13 Apr 2011
Answered on
Thu, 14 Apr 2011
Last reviewed on
Hi Arman;
welcome to HealthcareMagic
Bell's palsy is a sudden paralysis of facial muscles usually one sided and is mostly seen as a after effect of a viral infection like cold & cough.It is usually a self limiting illness & recovery is with in 3-4 weeks .Since you have done all investigations & they are normal; you will recover soon now that you have started steroids.Exact duration cannot be said but after steroids you should recover or show improvement in 2 weeks.
Thanks
welcome to HealthcareMagic
Bell's palsy is a sudden paralysis of facial muscles usually one sided and is mostly seen as a after effect of a viral infection like cold & cough.It is usually a self limiting illness & recovery is with in 3-4 weeks .Since you have done all investigations & they are normal; you will recover soon now that you have started steroids.Exact duration cannot be said but after steroids you should recover or show improvement in 2 weeks.
Thanks
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1. If you want to know the prognosis of your Facial Nerve Palsy, you have to investigate the extent of the nerve damage.
2. Between the 10th and the 14th day from the date of onset of your Facial Nerve palsy, get an EMG (ElectroMyoGraphy) and NCS (Nerve Conduction Study) done.
3. Some centers also have ENoG (ElectroNeuronoGraphy) which can be performed earlier.
4. Other tests include Acoustic reflex, Lacrimal tests (Schirmer's), MRI Scan with contrast, House Brackmann Grading.
5. The Electrodiagnostic tests mentioned above help to differentiate between the severity of nerve injury, namely neuropraxia, axontomesis and neurotomesis. Neuropraxia has the best prognosis with recovery in two to eight weeks.
6. Your dose of steroid should be optimal as per your body weight and weighed against the possibility of flaring up your viral fever.
7. Physiotherapy plays an important role in full recovery.
2. Between the 10th and the 14th day from the date of onset of your Facial Nerve palsy, get an EMG (ElectroMyoGraphy) and NCS (Nerve Conduction Study) done.
3. Some centers also have ENoG (ElectroNeuronoGraphy) which can be performed earlier.
4. Other tests include Acoustic reflex, Lacrimal tests (Schirmer's), MRI Scan with contrast, House Brackmann Grading.
5. The Electrodiagnostic tests mentioned above help to differentiate between the severity of nerve injury, namely neuropraxia, axontomesis and neurotomesis. Neuropraxia has the best prognosis with recovery in two to eight weeks.
6. Your dose of steroid should be optimal as per your body weight and weighed against the possibility of flaring up your viral fever.
7. Physiotherapy plays an important role in full recovery.
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Hi Arman, Welcome to HealthcareMagic Forum.
Did you suffer from any cold or flu recently? It happens if there is a viral infection and this virus causes the facial nerve to swell or become inflamed. 90% Patients improve without treatment. With or without treatment, most people begin to get better within 2 weeks and most recover completely within 3 to 6 months. In about 10 percent of Patients with Bell's Palsy will experience a recurrence of symptoms, sometimes on the other side of the face. A small number of people continue to have some Bell's palsy signs and symptoms for life. Take your medications regularly and go for regular follow up.
Wish you Good Health.
Did you suffer from any cold or flu recently? It happens if there is a viral infection and this virus causes the facial nerve to swell or become inflamed. 90% Patients improve without treatment. With or without treatment, most people begin to get better within 2 weeks and most recover completely within 3 to 6 months. In about 10 percent of Patients with Bell's Palsy will experience a recurrence of symptoms, sometimes on the other side of the face. A small number of people continue to have some Bell's palsy signs and symptoms for life. Take your medications regularly and go for regular follow up.
Wish you Good Health.
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