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Other Health Topics:
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Related Topics
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Go Local
- Services and providers for Bell's Palsy in the U.S.
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National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Bell's Palsy is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Bell's Palsy
If you have Bell's palsy, the muscles in your face become temporarily paralyzed. It usually affects just one side of the face. Symptoms appear suddenly - you can't shut your eye and your mouth droops. Symptoms are usually worst about 48 hours after they start.
Scientists think that a viral infection makes the facial nerve swell or become inflamed. You are most likely to get Bell's palsy if you are pregnant, diabetic or sick with a cold or flu.
Three in four 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.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Start Here
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Bell's Palsy
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
Also available in Spanish
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Bell's Palsy
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
Also available in Spanish
| Basics | Learn More | Multimedia & Cool Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Reference Shelf | For You |
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Overviews
- Bell's Palsy(American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery)
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Bell's Palsy(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Symptoms of Bell's Palsy(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
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Treatment
- Surgery for Bell's Palsy(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
- Treatment for Bell's Palsy(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
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Rehabilitation/Recovery
- Facial Exercises(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
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Specific Conditions
- Causes of Facial Palsy(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
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Related Issues
- Botox for Residuals(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
- Eye Care(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
- Residual Effects of Bell's Palsy(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
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Tutorials
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Bell's Palsy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
Also available in Spanish
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Bell's Palsy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player
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Anatomy/Physiology
- Facial Muscles(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
- Facial Nerve(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Bell Palsy(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Bell Palsy
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Steroid and antiviral treatment for Bell's palsy.
- Article: Association between herpes simplex virus-1 infection and idiopathic unilateral facial...
- Article: Bilateral simultaneous facial nerve palsy: clinical analysis in seven cases.
- Bell's Palsy -- see more articles
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Directories
- Find a Neurologist(American Academy of Neurology)
- Treatment Centers(Bell's Palsy Information Site)
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Organizations
- Bell's Palsy Information Site
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Also available in Spanish
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Children
- Bell's Palsy(Nemours Foundation)
- Guide to Understanding Facial Palsy(Children's Craniofacial Association) - Links to PDF
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Teenagers
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Bell's Palsy(Nemours Foundation)
Also available in Spanish
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Bell's Palsy(Nemours Foundation)
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Date last updated: 15 April 2008 Topic last reviewed: 29 June 2008 |