Bell's Palsy Treatment and Recovery: The Pharmaceutical Journal
Bell's Palsy Treatment and Recovery: The Pharmaceutical Journal
Bell's Palsy Treatment and Recovery: The Pharmaceutical Journal
, Victoria Adams
Palsy means paralysis. Bells palsy is a condition in which the inner ear becomes inflamed,
resulting in pressure on, and even damage to, the facial nerve (see Panel) and causing facial
paralysis.
The condition often presents suddenly, without warning, and can develop over a number of
hours, peaking at 72 hours. The paralysis is usually restricted to one side of the face and may
be partial or complete. Sometimes this is accompanied by a drooping of the affected side of
the face, depending on the severity of nerve damage. Cognitive functioning and other
physical abilities are not impaired. Other main symptoms include:
pain (which can be severe) in the inner ear during (and also in the days before) the onset
of paralysis
Facial nerve
The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve. Each nerve runs from the brain just under the
ear and splits into several branches. The facial nerve has a number of functions, with both
sensory and motor components. It supplies the muscles of facial expression and the muscles
used to close the eyes. It innervates the lacrimal, submandibular, and sublingual glands, as
well as the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx, and the hard and soft palates. It is
responsible for taste from part of the tongue and the hard and soft palates. The facial nerve is
also responsible for general sensation from the skin of the ear.
Bells palsy is relatively rare only one in 5,000 people develop it. Statistics show little
discrepancy between incidence in males and females and in different races. Research suggests
that those aged between 15 and 45 years, however, have an increased risk of developing the
condition, as do pregnant women. In addition, there appears to be a higher incidence of Bells
palsy in winter.
There are a number of causes of acute facial paralysis but Bells palsy is the most common.
Bells palsy is diagnosed by exclusion. A doctor will examine the patient and ask him or her
to perform a range of facial movements, such as closing the eyes, puckering the lips, raising
the eyebrows and smiling.
To eliminate other possible causes of facial palsy, the doctor may also request that the patient
is tested for Lyme disease, diabetes, sarcoidosis and HIV. In addition, imaging (eg, magnetic
resonance imaging and computed tomography) may be required to rule out potential causes
such as tumours. Finally, a doctor may refer the patient to an ear, nose and throat specialist
and arrange for electromyography to detect the location and extent of the nerve damage.
Treatment
In order for the patient to recover, the pressure on the nerve must be reduced. Research
suggests that this can be achieved using a steroid or a steroid plus an antiviral.1,2
Treatment with a steroid can improve chances of a full recovery because it helps to reduce
inflammation. Recent studies have shown that prednisolone is an effective agent and that it is
best given within 72 hours of the appearance of symptoms.3,4 This is usually prescribed twice
daily for 10 days.
Taking prednisolone after food can decrease the chance of gastrointestinal side effects such as
nausea. Patients experiencing mood changes (eg, anxiety or depression) or other troublesome
side effects should be advised to see their GP immediately.
The benefit of steroid use for Bells palsy in pregnancy versus the risk to the fetus is
debatable and something for individual patients to discuss with their prescriber.
Because there is some evidence that Bells palsy is linked to herpes simplex and varicella
zoster viruses, antivirals such as aciclovir may also be prescribed. However recent studies
have shown that treatment with aciclovir either alone or in combination with prednisolone do
not show any benefit in shortening the course of the disease, and that prednisolone used alone
is just as effective.46
Depending on the severity of the attack, pain can continue for a few days in some people and
over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, may be offered for use until
the pain subsides.
Complications
Due to the complexity of the function of facial nerve, a number of problems can arise
following prolonged Bells palsy, including:
Contracture While the face is paralysed, over time the affected muscles will contract,
which can cause a feeling of tightness. Shortening of the facial muscles can make the
affected side of the face appear to be slightly lifted compared with the other side and
the affected eye can appear smaller than the unaffected eye
Synkinesis In recovery, as the facial nerve starts to regenerate and the face begins to
move again, cross-wiring of nerve impulses can occur, resulting in unwanted
involuntary muscle movement. The patients eye may close or water, or both, when he
or she smiles, eats or speaks; the tendons in the neck may strain, when the patient
raises his or her eyebrows and so forth.
Eye protection
If the eye on the affected side cannot close naturally, the front of the eye is at risk of damage
because the tear glands may not be working properly. This patient should be given artificial
tear drops to be used during the day and a lubricant ointment for use at night. Patients can
also be advised to wear glasses to protect the eye from dirt and dust during the day and to use
an eye patch or surgical tape to keep the eye closed at night.
If full recovery does not occur within nine months, it may be that the nerve damage was
extensive and additional treatment is required. This includes:
Physio- or speech and language therapy (ie, facial retraining, including exercises and
relaxation techniques)
Botulinum toxin injections may improve the overall appearance of the face and reduce
synkinesis
Plastic surgery (This will not improve movement or address the extent of the nerve
damage but may improve facial symmetry. It is usually only reserved for individuals
with severe and permanent problems.)
Ensuring, apart from rest, that the body receives adequate nutrition (There has been
some suggestion that B group vitamins and fish oils may support nerve regeneration.)
Another therapy to be considered is acupuncture, the aim of which is to relax contracture and
promote movement.
Newer and more advanced treatments are able to help people with severe nerve damage
manage their condition, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics. For example, facial
nerve graft may be an option.
Recovery
Our patient in this case is clearly worried that she will be disfigured permanently. Bells palsy
has a high rate of spontaneous recovery and people often recover fully without any treatment,
so you can reassure this patient.
However, the recovery time varies between individuals and will depend on the amount of
nerve damage. Most people notice an improvement in their symptoms after about two to three
weeks but a complete recovery can take between three and six months. Some patients are left
with some degree of permanent facial weakness.
Research indicates that severe nerve damage is more likely to occur if the patient is over 60
years, had severe pain at onset, had complete rather than partial paralysis at onset, had a pre-
existing health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, was pregnant at the time of
onset or if recovery has not begun after six weeks. Do any of these factors apply in this case?
This patient should be advised to start taking her prednisolone immediately, to take care to
protect her eye and to rest. There is no evidence to support initiation of prednisolone after 72
hours. If she sees little or no improvement after a few weeks she should consult her GP, who
should able to conduct further investigations or refer her to a facial palsy specialist.
Statistics indicate that 7 per cent of patients have recurrent Bells palsy, with the mean
recurrent time being 10 years.
key points
Bells palsy is a condition where inflammation in the ear puts pressure on the facial
nerve, resulting in facial paralysis.
2. Grogan PM and Gronseth GS. (2001) Practice parameter: Steroids, acyclovir, and
surgery for Bells palsy (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards
Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology 56(7), 830-836.
[Abstract]
3. Sullivan FM, Swan IR, Donnan PT, Morrison JM, Smith BH, McKinstry B, et al. A
randomised controlled trial of the use of aciclovir and/or prednisolone for the early
treatment of Bells palsy: the BELLS study. Health Technol Assess. Oct
2009;13(47):iii-iv, ix-xi 1-130. [Medline].
4. Sullivan FM, Swan IR, Donnan PT et al. (2007) Early treatment with prednisolone or
acyclovir in Bells palsy. New England Journal of Medicine 357(16), 1598-1607.
[Abstract] [Free Full-text]
6. Sullivan FM, Swan IR, Donnan PT, Morrison JM, Smith BH, McKinstry B, et al. A
randomised controlled trial of the use of aciclovir and/or prednisolone for the early
treatment of Bells palsy: the BELLS study. Health Technol Assess. Oct
2009;13(47):iii-iv, ix-xi 1-130. [Medline]