Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy
The onset of Bell’s palsy is typically sudden with maximal facial weakness developing within the first 48 hours. The main symptoms are a decreased ability to close the eye, smile, puff out the cheeks, wrinkle the brow or nose. Excess or decrease in tearing and drooling may also occur. In some instances there may be pain behind the ear or jaw, ringing in the ear(s), hypersensitivity to sound. Because of the muscle weakness and possible numbness, functional activities such as eating and drinking can become very difficult. Although the degree of paralysis and the resulting impairment is dependent on the amount of irritation or compression of facial nerve any of these impairments are distressing to an individual.
