Bell's Palsy is Not a Stroke! By Dr Gautam Arora at NPMC
Monroe Township, New Jersey Apr 25, 2022 (Issuewire.com) - Bell's palsy and Stroke are two medical conditions that start in the brain. To the average person, the signs of Bell's palsy look a lot like a Stroke's symptoms. Bell's palsy is caused by damage to a single nerve, whereas a stroke is caused by a lack of oxygen and blood in the brain.
What is bell's palsy?
Bell's palsy is a type of temporary muscle weakness or paralysis in the face. This makes parts of the face droop. It affects one side of the face most commonly, but on rare occasions, it can affect the entire face. Bell's palsy was named after Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon who made the connection to the condition. Bell's palsy can happen to anyone, but it most commonly affects people between the ages of 15 and 60. It affects both men and women equally.
Bell's palsy symptoms: Twitching, Weakness or paralysis on one side of the face; in rare cases, both sides of the face, drooping of the eyelid and corner of the mouth Dryness of the eye or mouth, Impairment of taste, Excessive tearing in one eye pain or discomfort around the jaw and behind the ear, ringing in one or both ears, Difficulty eating or drinking
What is a stroke?
A stroke happens when a blood vessel leading up to or inside the brain is blocked by either a clot or a rupture. This is a medical emergency because it causes a part of the brain to stop receiving oxygen and nutrients from the blood. It's estimated that 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke each year.
Stroke symptoms: Trouble walking, speaking, and understanding, Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, problems with coordination, stiff muscles, overactive reflexes or paralysis of one side of the body, Fatigue, lightheadedness or vertigo, Blurred vision, double vision, sudden vision loss or temporary loss of vision in one eye, Difficulty swallowing, Pins and needles or reduced sensation of touch, Headache, dizziness Mental confusion
Treatment
Bell's palsy
For someone experiencing Bell's palsy, obtaining a detailed health history of current conditions like Lymes disease, skull fracture, middle ear infections, facial injury or an illness called sarcoidosis are important during diagnosis. Further testing may include electromyography to test the facial nerves. Bell's palsy treatment often involves the use of steroid and antiviral medication in some instances.
Stroke
There are a variety of treatments for patients experiencing a stroke. Depending on the patient's initial presentation and their CT or MRI results, treatment can vary. Additionally, a thorough health history concerning hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol use.
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Source :NPMC Neurology and Pain Management Clinic
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