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Bell's Palsy

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Synonyms of Bell's Palsy
  • Antoni's Palsy
  • Facial Nerve Palsy
  • Facial Paralysis
  • Idiopathic Facial Palsy
  • Refrigeration Palsy

Disorder Subdivisions



General Discussion
Bell's palsy is a nonprogressive 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.

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Organizations related to Bell's Palsy
  • Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
    PO Box 8126
    Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
    Phone #: 301-251-4925
    800 #: 888-205-2311
    e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
    Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
  • Jack Miller 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://millercenter.uchicago.edu
  • MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
    150 Custer Court
    Green Bay WI 54301-1243
    Phone #: 920-336-5333
    800 #: 877-336-5333
    e-mail: mums@netnet.net
    Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
  • 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
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
    P.O. Box 5801
    Bethesda MD 20824
    Phone #: 301-496-5751
    800 #: 800-352-9424
    e-mail: me20t@nih.gov
    Home page: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

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Last modified Wednesday, November 26, 2008