A Detailed Account of Severe Bell’s Palsy: An Autobiographical Case Report

Abstract

Bell’s palsy is a relatively rare neurologic disorder with a limited selection of helpful therapies. This case report describes the author’s initial three-month experience living with severe Bell’s palsy, including a detailed history and timeline of the initial development of symptoms, treatments pursued, and psychological stress during the disease progression. A particular focus is placed on the emotional burden Bell’s palsy can have, exploring possible avenues to improve physician to patient education on mental health and well-being during initial and delayed recovery.

The Rate of Occult Lesion Diagnosis in a Large Bell's Palsy Cohort

“…Bell's palsy is a debilitating disorder of facial nerve weakness diagnosed in approximately 40,000 individuals in the United States annually 1 . Bell's palsy typically presents as rapid‐onset unilateral facial palsy that recovers over several weeks to months.…”

“…Bell’s palsy is a debilitating disorder of facial nerve weakness diagnosed in approximately 40,000 individuals in the United States annually. 1 Bell’s palsy typically presents as rapid-onset unilateral facial palsy that recovers over several weeks to months. A diagnosis of exclusion, Bell’s palsy, is believed to be caused by idiopathic reactivation of a latent herpes simplex virus within the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve.…”