• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

SimplyHealth.io

Health and Wellness Information

  • Natural Cures
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Conditions

9 Strange Causes of Bell’s Palsy

Search Articles Here

The seventh cranial nerve runs through a narrow gap of bone from the brain to the face. The nerve is responsible for controlling the majority of muscles in the face and ear. Inflammation of the facial nerve results in pinching between the bone gap, damaging the protective sheath around the nerve.

When the nerve sheath degrades, and the raw nerve is exposed, signals from the brain to the face are disrupted, resulting in weak or paralyzed facial muscles. This condition is known as Bell’s Palsy. Individuals afflicted with Bell’s experience a sudden onset of symptoms that intensify over the course of a few days. The signs are sometimes confused with those of a stroke or brain embolism.

Tightness in the muscles around one side of the face, along with an inability to control the facial muscles is often the first sign of the disorder. This disorder progresses into partial muscle paralysis in the face accompanied by involuntary twitching.

The exact cause of the inflammation to the seventh cranial nerve is still unknown to medical science. However, medical experts have some agreement in the fact that the inflammation may be due to the presence of a viral infection. Here are 9 strange causes of Bell’s palsy that may play a role in developing the disorder

1. Herpes Simplex

HSV is a viral inflammatory disease that could be a precursor for the development of Bell’s palsy. This contagious, communicable virus spreads through contact with an infected person’s saliva, blood, or body fluids. The virus is most commonly known as the cause of genital herpes or cold sores. Children often contract HSV-1 from contact with an infected adult and carry the virus for the duration of their lives.

HSV-1 spreads through activities like kissing, sharing lip balm, water bottles, and eating utensils. Between 30 to 95% of adults are seropositive for HSV-1, and never experience the manifestation of symptoms. Individuals contract HSV-2 through sexual contact and estimates show that up to 20% of sexually active Americans carry the virus.

Risk factors for contracting HSV include having unprotected sex, sex at a younger age, sex with multiple partners, as well as the presence of another sexually transmitted infection (STI) and a weakened immune system. Pregnant women experiencing an outbreak of genital herpes during birth may pass on both forms of the virus to their child.

Next »

Our Newest Articles

14 Home Remedies to Ease the Symptoms of Papilledema

Papilledema is a common eye condition that causes inflammation and swelling of the disc surrounding … [Read More...] about 14 Home Remedies to Ease the Symptoms of Papilledema

16 Causes That Lead to Renal Failure

Chronic kidney disease affects over 31-million Americans – that’s a staggering 10-percent of the … [Read More...] about 16 Causes That Lead to Renal Failure

20 Healthy Benefits of Drinking Water

Chances are that you already know that water is good for you. In fact, water is often referred to as … [Read More...] about 20 Healthy Benefits of Drinking Water

Primary Sidebar

14 Symptoms of Hantavirus

Hantavirus is a condition that a lot of people might never have heard of before, but one that … [Read More...] about 14 Symptoms of Hantavirus

18 Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatic nerve pain is pain caused by trauma or pressure to the sciatic nerve. This tends to result … [Read More...] about 18 Causes of Sciatic Nerve Pain

Popular on SimplyHealth.io

14 Common Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive Dyskinesia is a condition that develops as a side effect of antipsychotic drugs. Not … [Read More...] about 14 Common Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia

14 Tips to Eliminate Pain in Left Arm

Pain felt in the left arm can be a symptom experienced with a wide variety of different health … [Read More...] about 14 Tips to Eliminate Pain in Left Arm

14 Best Natural Remedies to Soothe Foot Pain

Foot pain can be really annoying at the best of times and completely debilitating at the worst of … [Read More...] about 14 Best Natural Remedies to Soothe Foot Pain

You May Also Like

15 Causes of Blood in Your Urine

There are a number of different symptoms and conditions that can leave you feeling rather concerned. … [Read More...] about 15 Causes of Blood in Your Urine

9 Things You Don’t Know About Eosinophils

There is a number of conditions that the body can face on any given day, some are external and … [Read More...] about 9 Things You Don’t Know About Eosinophils

16 Universal Signs of Kissing Bug

The kissing bug also known as Chagas disease is an infectious disease that affects more than 200,000 … [Read More...] about 16 Universal Signs of Kissing Bug

Disclaimer

This site offers information designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on any information on this site as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or as a substitute for, professional counseling care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.

  • Search
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Cookie Declaration
  • Push Notifications

Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved