Glossary of Bells Palsy terminology


All these terms are commonly searched for or asked and are explained here. Full information regarding the terms listed here are contained within the chapters of the book for sale on this website.

7th Cranial nerve (CN-VII) – Also called the facial nerve, this is the crux of the problem in Bells Palsy. The facial nerve has been affected in its ability to send messages to the facial muscles, therefore you cannot move your face to make any expressions.

Acute facial nerve paralysis – This is a description of Bells Palsy. The onset of Bells Palsy is very fast usually within 24 hours but rarely longer than a few days.
 
Acyclovir – An antiviral medicine that is commonly prescribed for Bells Palsy, under the assumption that it has been caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV – 1. It is usually prescribed in conjunction with a short term steroid treatment (see below).
 
Antiviral – The most commonly prescribed medicine for Bells Palsy (See Acyclovir, Famvir and Valocyclovir)
 
B12, Methylcobalamin – Vitamin suggested by some to help in Bells Palsy recovery. This form is usually applied by injection or sublingually (liquid or lozenge under the tongue) and usually in quite high (500 – 1000mcg) doses. Methylcobalamin is suggested to be more bioavailable to the body than Cyanocobalamin.

B12, Cyanocobalamin – Vitamin suggested by some to help in Bells Palsy recovery. (But see above)

Bells Palsy risk – There are no official figures to suggest that more people are at risk than others of contracting Bells Palsy but around 1:60 people will contract it in their lifetime. The only people suggested as being more vulnerable are pregnant women, diabetics, people with recent flu or respiratory infection and those with a family history of Bells Palsy.  I would have to add those under considerable stress to this list (personal opinion).

Bells Palsy trigeminal nerve – The 5th cranial nerve, this provides the sensory ability of the facial skin and controls biting, chewing and swallowing. This nerve is NOT affected in Bells Palsy.

Bell Palsy vitamin – Generally any vitamin that is suggested to help in the recovery of Bells Palsy. Usually vitamins to boost the immune system such as vitamin C (and also see B12 vitamins above).
 
Bell’s Palsy, Bells palsy, bell s palsy, bells paulsey, bells paulsy, Bellspalsy, Bells Palsey – Various attempted spellings of Bell’s Palsy. Bell’s relates to Sir Charles Bell, the 19th century Scottish surgeon who first noted the illness and Palsy, meaning paralysis.

Bells Palsy and acupuncture – Some sufferers suggest it as an alternative therapy to aid recovery from Bells Palsy.

Bells Palsy and physical therapy – Cranio sacral massage, facial exercises and facial retraining are all suggested therapies at different stages in your recovery from Bells Palsy.

Bells Palsy and Botox – Also known as Botulinum toxin type A. This is a last resort if Bells Palsy symptoms do not completely disappear and can be used to cosmetically improve certain facial features.

Bells Palsy contagious – No, it is not.

Bells Palsy cure – Although various consultants and other medical professionals state that there is no proactive cure for Bells Palsy, it is suggested by people who have seen different rates of recovery that certain things do help recovery and the speed of that recovery. All these are covered in the book sold on this website.

Bells Palsy disease, illness or condition – Various phrases that people use to describe the temporary condition of Bells Palsy.

Bells Palsy facial exercises – A routine of facial exercises to be used only after a certain period of time to encourage Bells Palsy recovery.

Bells Palsy in children – Bells Palsy can occur in children but their recovery is usually very good.

Bells Palsy pain – Bells Palsy is not renowned for any exceptional pain but because it is having an effect upon your facial muscles, there can be some pains involved in certain areas at different stages in its development and recovery.

Bells Palsy in pregnancy – Pregnant women in their third trimester are considered to be at a slightly increased risk of Bells Palsy.

Bells Palsy recovery time – The time it takes for the facial nerve to recover to its original effectiveness. This can be from a month to a year and in a minority of cases longer. The majority of cases enjoy complete recovery within 3 months.

Bells Palsy surgery – This is a very last resort and takes the form of either decompression surgery or purely cosmetic surgery.

Bells Palsy symptom – Any symptom associated with the condition or felt by the sufferer. The most obvious symptom is a loss of facial movement on the affected side.

Bells Palsy treatment – Any treatment offered by a medical professional (usually an antiviral medicine and a short term steroid)or an alternative treatment or complimentary medicine (of which there are many) to aid recovery from Bells Palsy

Bells Palsy temporary – Bells Palsy, in 90% of cases is a temporary condition that will get better. (See Bells Palsy recovery time above)

Cause of facial paralysis – The cause of Bells Palsy is quite unknown. It is a condition that is diagnosed after over 50 other reasons for facial paralysis have been ruled out. (This is done within a few minutes by an experienced doctor with just a few questions and quick, non intrusive tests). The most prevalent theory is that it is caused by the reactivation of the Herpes Simplex virus, HSV – 1.

Cranial Nerve – There are 12 different cranial nerves. The 7th cranial nerve, also called the facial nerve, is the only one affected in Bells Palsy. The facial nerve sends messages to the facial muscles.

Cranial Nerve Palsy – It is only the seventh (7th) cranial nerve that is affected. Each of the cranial nerves has a different job to do. The 7th cranial nerve controls the facial muscles to create expressions.

Facial guide – This is a descriptive and pictoral guide for sufferers of Bells Palsy explaining the position of the facial muscles and detailing the complex route of the facial nerve.

Facial muscles – These are the muscles in the face that contract to allow you to form expressions. They are controlled by the signals from the brain via the facial nerve.

Facial muscle exercise, Facial Exercise - A routine of facial exercises to be used only after a certain period of time to encourage Bells Palsy recovery.

Facial nerve, facial nerve paralysis – This is the 7th cranial nerve that controls the facial muscles. In Bells Palsy, this nerve is temporarily out of action and therefore the affected side of the face is paralysed.

Facial Palsy, Face Paralysis, Facial Paralysis – This is just another way of describing Bells Palsy. A sufferer is unable to make correct expression on the affected side.

Famvir – An antiviral medicine that is commonly prescribed for Bells Palsy, under the assumption that it has been caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV – 1. It is usually prescribed in conjunction with a short term steroid treatment.

Herpes HSV 1, Herpes Simpex, Herpes Simpex Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Herpes Virus, HSV 1, HSV1 – Various ways used to describe the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV – 1). This is the virus that always prevails as the most likely cause of Bells Palsy. It is because of this prevalent theory that doctors will most often prescribe an antiviral medicine.

Idiopathic bells palsy – Idiopathic simply means that the cause is unknown. It is the condition that is diagnosed after over 50 other reasons for facial paralysis have been ruled out.

Lyme Disease – This is also considered in the diagnosis of Bells Palsy. Lyme disease is caused by a “deer tick bite” but there are many other sides to this disease. Although facial paralysis can be a symptom in both, Bells Palsy is not Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease Symptom – One of the symptoms of Lyme disease is facial paralysis (unilateral or bilateral) but there are many others that affect other parts of the body and nervous system. Bells Palsy ONLY affects the 7th cranial nerve and therefore the facial muscles.

Natural cure for bells palsy – The most natural cure for Bells Palsy is to rest, rest and rest again. Bells Palsy will usually recover on its own, however it is thought that the prescribed medicines may help it along its way. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BE PROPERLY DIAGNOSED WITH BELLS PALSY BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HEAL WITHOUT MEDICINE. There are over 50 possible causes of facial paralysis and you need to know that it is Bells Palsy and not one of the other possibilities that would definitely need to be treated in a different way.

Natural or Alternative treatment for bells palsy – These are alternative therapies or complimentary medicines that are suggested to aid recovery from Bells Palsy.

Nerve Disorder – Bells Palsy is a disorder of the 7th Cranial nerve (CN – VII)

Neuropathy – This simply means a disease or condition that affects the nervous system. The 7th Cranial nerve has been affected. Bells Palsy is NOT a degenerative disease.

Pathophysiology of bells palsy – Pathophysiology simply means the changes in function that have been affected by a disease or illness. So, the pathophysiology of Bells Palsy is the loss of the ability produce facial expression.

Peripheral Neuropathy -  Bells Palsy is not peripheral neuropathy, however, if you are at all concerned about this, speak to your medical professional.

Prednisolone, Prednisone – These are the most common short term steroid treatments offered to those diagnosed with Bells Palsy. Because the facial nerve (7th Cranial nerve (CN – VII)) is inflamed on its journey to the facial muscles, a steroid is prescribed to help lessen this inflammation.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, RHS, Ramsey Hunt Syndrome – This is a similar condition to Bells Palsy in that there is facial paralysis, but is not the same. The symptoms are similar but with additional ones for Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, such as vertigo, and the treatment is different for both conditions. Whereas Bells Palsy is thought to be caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV – 1), Ramsey Hunt Syndrome is caused by the Herpes Varicella Zoster virus which is the same virus that gives you shingles and chickenpox. Of the other symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome there is usually an occurrence of blisters in or around the ear. If you experience anything like this then go and tell your doctor and a different treatment will be offered.

Shingles – Shingles is NOT associated with Bells Palsy. If you have been diagnosed with Bells Palsy and develop shingles then go straight to your doctor as this may infer that you actually have Ramsey Hunt Syndrome instead of Bells Palsy and a different treatment will be offered.

Sir Charles Bell – The 19th century Scottish surgeon who discovered the condition.

Stroke – Nothing whatsoever to do with Bells Palsy and yet the most common complaint that a new sufferer will go to the doctors worrying about. The facial appearance and the speed of paralysis in Bells Palsy does make one think that they have had a stroke. This is especially the case in people who have never heard of, or seen Bells Palsy before.

What causes bell palsy - The cause of Bells Palsy is idiopathic (unknown). It is diagnosed after other reasons for facial paralysis have been ruled out. The most prevalent theory is that it is caused by the reactivation of the Herpes Simplex virus, HSV – 1.

Valocyclovir - An antiviral medicine that is commonly prescribed for Bells Palsy, under the assumption that it has been caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus, HSV – 1. It is usually prescribed in conjunction with a short term steroid treatment.