If you suffer from the facial nerve disorder known as Bell's palsy, then you know that this disease causes swelling of the large nerve in the face and prevents muscle and eye control of one side of the face. While there are no known ways to prevent this problem, it usually goes away on its own within a few weeks or months, and there are some procedures you can put in place to ease the healing process. Your doctor may prescribe medications, and you should also have home treatments to speed up your recovery time. There are also alternative methods which, although not scientifically proven to cure this disease, may still alleviate its symptoms.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Take Medication
Step 1. See your doctor right away
It's pretty easy to cure Bell's palsy when it's diagnosed early. If you experience unusual facial sensitivity or are unable to control your facial muscles, consult your doctor soon. He will be able to understand if the problem is due to this disorder or to other pathologies and will be able to find the most suitable treatment for your specific case. Symptoms of Bell's palsy may include:
- Difficulty closing or blinking one or both eyes
- Difficulty controlling facial expressions
- Myospasms in the eyes or face;
- Eyelid ptosis (drooping eyelids);
- Hypersalivation;
- Difficulty perceiving flavors;
- Excessive tearing.
Step 2. Take prednisone
This corticosteroid is an anti-inflammatory that your doctor may prescribe for you. He may advise you to take it for a week and then reduce the dosage in the following week.
- Since it is an anti-inflammatory, this drug reduces the swelling of the facial nerve caused by Bell's palsy. In addition, it is able to partially relieve pain caused by muscle tension.
- Before taking prednisone, talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions, especially if you are also taking birth control pills (for women), blood thinners, have other diseases such as diabetes, HIV or have heart problems, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Step 3. Take antivirals
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that is usually prescribed to treat herpes simplex (which causes cold sores), but it can also be effective for Bell's palsy. The effectiveness of acyclovir alone is not certain, but this medicine is often prescribed in combination with prednisone to treat this disease.
The fact that the two drugs combined are effective against Bell's palsy suggests that this disorder may be caused by herpes simplex
Step 4. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
In addition to loss of muscle control and other symptoms, facial paralysis can also cause pain. Take these medications such as aspirin, tachipirina, or ibuprofen to soothe the discomfort.
To avoid dangerous drug interactions, always consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter products if you are already taking other prescription drugs
Method 2 of 3: Follow Home Care
Step 1. Protect your eyes
Since the disease makes it difficult to close an eyelid, the eye on the affected side of the body may start to become irritated and dry. To keep it well hydrated, you need to lubricate it with drops or ointments and protect it with a bandage. Wear goggles or a mask during the day and a blindfold at night to prevent irritating dust or debris from getting into the eye.
Reduce the time you spend in front of the computer when you suffer from this disease, because too much exposure to the monitor can dry out your eyes
Step 2. Apply moist heat
Soak a cloth in hot water and wring it out to get rid of the excess. Place it on the affected area of your face for several minutes. Repeat the application several times throughout the day to relieve pain caused by paralysis.
Step 3. Get vitamin therapy
Some vitamins and minerals (such as B12, B6, and zinc) can promote nerve growth. This can help soothe the discomfort of the disease, as the symptoms are related to nerve damage.
- Good sources of vitamin B6 are avocado, banana, beans, meat, nuts and whole grains.
- Foods particularly rich in vitamin B12 are beef liver, shellfish, meat, eggs, milk and some fortified cereals.
- Zinc is found mostly in protein-rich meats, such as beef, pork, lamb and dark chicken, nuts, beans, and whole grains.
- You can also ask your doctor for some information about taking supplements to make sure you are getting an adequate dose of these valuable elements.
Step 4. Be patient
The time to heal depends on the extent of the nerve damage and whether you have received specific care for the underlying cause of Bell's palsy. Although the length of recovery can vary from person to person, symptoms usually improve within a couple of weeks (with or without treatment). Again, it can sometimes take 3 to 6 months for the body to fully recover.
Symptoms may recur even after healed completely. If so, see your doctor again to determine if there is an obvious cause
Method 3 of 3: Try Alternative Treatments
Step 1. Undergo biofeedback
It is a therapy that aims to train the mind to understand and control the body. This treatment restores the functions of the face by consciously conditioning the thinking and thus controlling the facial muscles, so as to become aware of the sensitivity in the area affected by Bell's palsy. The specific biofeedback techniques may vary according to the specific case, so ask your doctor to recommend a program "tailored" for you.
Step 2. Do physical therapy exercises
If you train your facial muscles with different exercises, you can regain some of the functions of the face. These exercises allow you to find relief from some symptoms of paralysis, including pain. Ask your doctor to refer you to a good physical therapist who has extensive experience with this disease.
Step 3. Get facial massages
Just like physiotherapy, massage also helps you to restore the functionality of the area affected by the disease and to find some relief. Ask your doctor for the name of some qualified massage therapist who has already treated cases similar to yours.
Step 4. Try acupuncture
This technique involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin. This allows for stimulation of the facial muscles and nerves to relieve pain and other symptoms of the disease. Ask your doctor for a referral to a qualified professional.
Step 5. Consider electro stimulation
In some cases, the doctor recommends this type of treatment to restore facial functions and encourage the development of nerve tissue with the aim of resolving the paralysis. However, only a qualified physician should attempt this route and only if expressly indicated by your healthcare provider.
Step 6. Practice relaxation techniques
Meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises help release muscle tension and control pain. There is no evidence that these techniques are effective against Bell's palsy, but they are still useful in alleviating the general discomfort resulting from the disease.
