Do I Have Bell’s Palsy?

Do you have sudden weakness (mild weakness to total paralysis) on one side of your face?

Do you have uneven expression on for face (half of your face appear to droop), making your smile one-sided (one corner of your mouth appear to droop) and have difficulty to close your eye on the affected side of your face?

Do you have numbness or loss of feeling on the affected side of your face?

Do you have trouble with drooling on one corner of your mouth (trouble retaining saliva on the affected side of your mouth)?

Do you have a loss of taste in your mouth and difficulty eating and drinking?

Do you have irritation of the eye on the affected side, dry eye or tearing of the eye?

Do you have pain around the jaw or in or behind your ear on the affected side?

Do you have increased sensitivity to sound in your ear on the affected side?

Do you have a headache?

Are you a pregnant woman, especially during the third trimester, or are you in the first week after giving birth?

Do you have an upper respiratory infection, such as the flu or a cold?

Do you have diagnosed diabetes?

Do you have a family history of Bell's palsy or problems with facial paralysis?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have Bell’s palsy.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy is a medical condition characterized by sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of your face due to swelling or inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve that controls your facial muscles. The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is unknown but it is often triggered by a viral infection. Bell’s palsy is a temporary condition and symptoms usually start to improve within a few weeks, with or without treatment. Bell’s palsy may have similar symptoms to stroke so please, see your doctor if you experience facial weakness or drooping.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy or acute peripheral facial palsy is a medical condition that occurs when the seventh cranial nerve that controls your facial muscles becomes inflamed, swollen or compressed causing weakness or paralysis on one side of your face. Most people with Bell's palsy recover completely, but it usually takes a few weeks to months for your facial muscles to regain normal strength. Bell’s palsy symptoms can improve without treatment, but your doctor may recommend medications or physical therapy to speed up your recovery. Prompt treatment can help to prevent complications.