Bell's palsy (facial palsy) is characterized by facial drooping due to malfunction of the facial nerve (VII cranial nerve), which controls the muscles of the face. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve), and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis. BellÂ’s palsy affects about 40,000 people in the United States every year. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bells_palsy

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I have had Bells palsy for about 8 months now. It is caused by damage or trauma to the 7th cranial nerve located behind the ear. Many times a bells palsy episode following a bout with a viral infection or the flu. People with diabetes are more likely to get this as well. I have written a few article discussing treatment, symptoms, and tips to help the newly diagnosed with Bells Palsy. Heres the links in case youd like to check them over and I hope it gets better for you soon. Confronting Bell's Palsy: An Informative Look at Symptoms, Treatment http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/254180/confronting_bells_palsy_an_informative.html Tips for Living with Bells Palsy and Its Symptoms http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/478685/tips_for_living_with_bells_palsy_and.html

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I also have Bells Palsy. This is my second time. I can give you a few good tips. Please read all the way through, there are alot of good tips I have learned over the years about how to deal with this disease. First-Research as much as you can. Second-This is very important. Make sure to get some patossin(steroid) from your doctor to help reduce the swelling in the nerves. Your facial features will come back twice as fast as they would if you only took anti-inflamatories or did nothing at all, This is a MUST. Third-REST, REST, REST as much as possible. Bells Palsy is known to bring on extreme exhaustion. There will be days that you can hardly get out of bed and every little thing is an effort. Consider those days pajama days and just rest. Let someone else do the heavy lifting for you. The more rest the quicker you get better. As little stress as possible. It is believed that stress can keep you from healing faster or can bring on a recurrance. Do a few small things if you want to for a few minutes then rest for a little while before you continue. If you have somewhere you have to go (wedding, bbq, family gathering, bday party) try to rest completely or at least quite a bit before you go, a few hours or the entire day before will help alot when you are at your function. Fourth-If you have facial neuralgia (facial pain) get a pain pill to help. Also take your vitamins they help with your energy. A good multi-vitamin and also vitamin B is really helpful. Heat can also help with the facial pain. Use a small thermacare (the one for the neck is good enough) patch and keep on to help relieve the pain along with the pain pill. Fifth-If your nasal cavity has collapsed (hard to breathe) you can use the Breeze nasal tubes. They are for snoring but help alot at night. Also a small fan close to your face can give you the extra air you need to breathe at night. Sixth-Use your sunglasses anytime you are outside to help your eye not dry out so fast. Also use TheraTear for dry eye. Seventh-Do not lift anything over 5-10 lbs. Your nerves in your neck and face are pinched or swollen and they need time to rest to regain their usefullness. Have someone else help with the groceries and heavy things until you can notice a big recovery in your face and health. Most of all... Try not to let this get you depressed. Go do your shopping and visit with friends.(Take a pain pill first) Talking alot and laughing can bring on facial pain in the jaw area. Don't put your whole life onhold. Finally- the medical profession calls this a syndrome. I have found out that it is NOT. Even after you recover you will notice days that you are extra tired. Be aware that these are your Bells Palsy days and REST. They only come on once and a while but are a warning to slow down and let your body recover. Watch for future signs such as lip swelling or itching or sore neck muscles just in case it does come back. Hopefully not, most people dont get it back or not for another 10 years. Some like me have a rare form of Bells Palsy and have reoccurances every couple of years. Mine is very severe. I have learned to live with it. Hopefully you can too. Heres hoping for a full recovery for you and a wonderful life. Bye