How to Live with Bell's Palsy

Being diagnosed with Bell's Palsy can be frustrating and frightening. Once diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, it is important to learn how to live with Bell's Palsy. The purpose of this article is to discuss how to live with Bell's Palsy.

What is Bell's Palsy?

Part of learning to live with Bell's Palsy is understanding the disease. Bell's Palsy is a neurological disease that affects the 7^th nerve in the face. People typically have a very quick and sudden onset of symptoms. (http://www.bellspalsy.ws/)

Bell's Palsy is caused by trauma to the nerve in the face. It is believed to be caused by a viral infection or some other form of trauma such as fall or injuries. As a result, the facial muscles become paralyzed. Patients wake up with half of their face numb as if they had gone to the dentist in the middle of the night while asleep.

Protecting the Eyes

Living with Bell's Palsy means having to address the issue of not being able to blink out of one eye. The side of the face affected will not blink as often as a normal eye. Dry eyes, irritation and sensitivity to light can become complications for patients with Bell's Palsy.

It is important to frequently administer eye drops to the eye that is affected by Bell's Palsy. Dry eyes can cause headaches, irritability, light sensitivity and damage to the actual eye. Many patients will use patches or special optical devices such as eyelid weights while living with Bell's Palsy.

Make sure to consult an eye doctor while being treated for Bell's Palsy. It might be necessary to receive prescription eye drops or special glasses to wear while living with Bell's Palsy.

Some patients are not able to close the eye while sleeping at night. Make sure to use an eye patch or tape the eye closed with paper adhesive tape during the night to prevent the eye from drying out as much.

Handling Self Image Issues

How to handle self image issues with Bell's Palsy can be a sensitive area. Patients usually wake up with the disease without any warning symptoms. Imagine the shock and the dismay waking up with a face that is half paralyzed.