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Bell's Palsy Reviewed 04-02-2003 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Bell's Palsy?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What is Bell's Palsy? Bell’s palsy is a form of facial paralysis resulting from damage to the 7th (facial) cranial nerve. This nerve disorder afflicts approximately 40,000 Americans each year. It can strike almost anyone at any age; however, it disproportionately attacks pregnant women and people who have diabetes, influenza, a cold, or some other upper respiratory ailment. In addition to one-sided facial paralysis with possible inability to close the eye, symptoms of Bell’s palsy may include pain, tearing, drooling, hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear, and impairment of taste. The common cold sore virus, herpes simplex, and other herpes viruses are the likely cause of many cases of Bell’s palsy. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Related NINDS Publications and Information
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