What is Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s Palsy or facial palsy is facial paralysis. It is a condition that results from inflammation or dysfunction of the 7th facial cranial nerve. The person suffering from this condition fails to control facial muscles. This condition may happen to anyone at any age. Typically, it is half of the face that gets influenced by the bell’s palsy.
Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy
There are several symptoms closely associated with bell’s palsy, the primary ones are listed below:
1. Pricking sensation on the affected side of the face
2. Abnormal slouchiness on the affected side
3. Inability to perform normal facial functions like eye movements, smiling, etc
4. Drooling
5. Tremors
6. Difficulty in speaking
7. Reduced sensation of any kind of taste
8. Shivering of the head
9. High level of discomfort in mouth, nose, and eyes
10. Neck deviation to either side
11. Difficulty in eating and drinking
12. Inability to sleep properly
13. Face turns motionless and expressionless
14. Numbness and pain in teeth, neck, and cheeks along with joints related to these parts
15. The face loses its normal sensitivity
Causes of Bell’s Palsy
* Viral infections like herpes
* Diseases like stroke, diabetes mellitus, meningitis, etc that lead to inflammation in facial nerve
* Excess intake of fermented and alcoholic beverages
* Constant yawning or laughing
* Emotional or metabolic disorders
* Speaking loudly in a higher pitch for too long
* Environmental factors
* Trauma
* Mastication of hard substances
* Injury of arteries, nerves, and veins of the face
* The constant irritation of the nose, eyes, ears, etc.
* Suppression of natural processes like lacrimation, sneezing, etc.
Who are most vulnerable to bell's palsy
1. Bell’s Palsy is more common in people who:
2. Suffer from diabetes
3. Have some serious respiratory infection like cold or flu
4. Are pregnant or just delivered a baby
5. People with facial herpes
6. Ayurvedic Treatment For Bell’s Palsy
Typically, the Bell’s Palsy treatment begins with the intake of steroids. But such medicines come with their own range of side-effects. Ayurveda offers a natural and safe alternative treatment for this condition. It can manage the symptoms and causes entirely through Ayurvedic medicines and therapies like Shirodhara, Tharpana, oil massages, Nasya, etc. Bell’s Palsy Treatment in Ayurveda is the most widely accepted alternative treatment in India and many other places.
The medicines used in the process are extracted from medicinal herbs like Brahmi, Amalaki, Bala, Eranda, Lavanga, Nirgundi, Lashun, Sarshapa, Rasna, etc. The intake of these medicines is accompanied by some strict diet and lifestyle changes. Bell’s Palsy patients strictly need to refrain from refrigerated food items, fermented foods, curd, alcohol, and sour food items. They need to include pranayama and yoga in their routine compulsorily.
