Bell' Palsy

 

1. What is Bell's palsy?

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• paralysis of 7th cranial nerve(facial nerve)
• first described by Sir Charles Bell
• good prognosis, resolves in 2 weeks, up to 6 months
• characterised by unilateral weakness / paralysis of facial muscles
• unable to wrinkle forehead
• asymmetrical face
• unable to close eyelid

2. How to diagnose Bell's palsy?

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• Clinically diagnosed
• however, must rule out stroke / parotid tumour / ear disease
  
  

3. How to treat Bell's palsy?

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• eye care
• artificial eye drop during day
• eye ointment at night / cover eye during sleep
• steroid
• start early within 72 hours from onset 
• prednisolone 60mg OD for 5 days, then taper by 10mg per day for another 5 days