Bell's palsy is known as Zhong Feng in
Chinese and translates as Wind Attack. Bell's palsy is a temporary weakness or
paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. These muscles are controlled
by the facial nerve. Because there's a facial nerve on each side of a person's
face, and Bell's palsy usually affects just one nerve, people with Bell's palsy
will most likely notice stiffness or weakness on one side of the face. When the
facial nerve is working properly, it carries a host of messages from the brain
to the face. These messages may tell an eyelid to close, one side of the mouth
to smile or frown, or salivary glands to make spit. Facial nerves also help our
bodies make tears and taste favorite foods. But if the nerve swells and is
compressed, as happens with Bell's palsy, these messages don't get sent
correctly. The result is weakness or temporary paralysis of the muscles on one
side of the face. Bell's palsy can affect people of all ages, but it is most
common in adults. People with diabetes and pregnant women are more likely to
develop Bell's palsy.
Symptoms usually start suddenly— usually
Bell's palsy reaches its worst point within 48 hours, and range from mild to
severe. They may include:
-
Change
in facial expression
-
Difficulty
with eating and drinking
-
Drooling
due to lack of control over muscles of the face
-
Droopy
eyelid or corner of mouth
-
Dry
eye or mouth
-
Face
feels stiff or pulled to one side
-
Facial
paralysis of one side of the face, makes it hard to close one eye
-
Headache
-
Loss
of sense of taste
-
Pain
behind or in front of the ear
-
Sensitivity
to sound (hyperacusis) on the affected side of the face
-
Twitching
in face
-
Weakness
in face
Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine are
very effective to treat Bell's palsy. Although this aspect of acupuncture is
not widely known in the US,
we always advise a patient who develops facial paralysis to consider this
option without delay. The sooner treatment is applied, the easier it is to
completely eliminate it with Chinese acupuncture and herbs. We recommend you
try acupuncture first. Western doctors may try to treat Bell's palsy with
steroid drugs or antivirals, both of which can cause serious side effects.
Are you wondering about treating Bell's palsy with
traditional Chinese medicine? If you answer in the affirmative, then you can
contact Xiaoyan for information on treatment of Bell's palsy and facial
paralysis with acupuncture and Chinese medicines.
Bell's Palsy
