Bell's Palsy

Abstract

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Synonyms of Bell's Palsy

• Antoni's Palsy
• Facial Nerve Palsy
• Facial Paralysis
• Idiopathic Facial Palsy
• Refrigeration Palsy

Disorder Subdivisions

• No subdivisions found.

General Discussion

Bell's palsy is a non-progressive neurological disorder of one of the facial nerves (7th cranial nerve). This disorder is characterized by the sudden onset of facial paralysis that may be preceded by a slight fever, pain behind the ear on the affected side, a stiff neck, and weakness and/or stiffness on one side of the face. Paralysis results from decreased blood supply (ischemia) and/or compression of the 7th cranial nerve. The exact cause of Bell's palsy is not known. Viral (e.g., herpes zoster virus) and immune disorders are frequently implicated as a cause for this disorder. There may also be an inherited tendency toward developing Bell's palsy.

Organizations related to Bell's Palsy

• Center for Peripheral Neuropathy
  • University of Chicago
  • 5841 South Maryland Ave, MC 2030
  • Chicago, IL 60637
  • Phone #: 773-702-5659
  • 800 #: N/A
  • e-mail: N/A
  • Home page: http://peripheralneuropathycenter.uchicago.edu/
• Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
  • PO Box 8126
  • Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
  • Phone #: 301-251-4925
  • 800 #: 888-205-2311
  • e-mail: N/A
  • Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/
• Madisons Foundation
  • PO Box 241956
  • Los Angeles, CA 90024
  • Phone #: 310-264-0826
  • 800 #: N/A
  • e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
  • Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
• MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
  • 150 Custer Court
  • Green Bay, WI 54301-1243 USA
  • Phone #: N/A
  • 800 #: N/A
  • e-mail: mums@netnet.net
  • Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
• NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  • P.O. Box 5801
  • Bethesda, MD 20824
  • Phone #: 301-496-5751
  • 800 #: 800-352-9424
  • e-mail: N/A
  • Home page: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

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