{"id":1863,"date":"2018-06-13T05:31:15","date_gmt":"2018-06-13T05:31:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=1863"},"modified":"2021-05-17T19:34:44","modified_gmt":"2021-05-17T19:34:44","slug":"9-strange-causes-of-bells-palsy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/9-strange-causes-of-bells-palsy\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Strange Causes of Bell’s Palsy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s Palsy. Individuals afflicted with Bell\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s palsy that may play a role in developing the disorder<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Herpes Simplex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HSV is a viral inflammatory disease that could be a precursor for the development of Bell\u2019s palsy<\/a>. This contagious, communicable virus spreads through contact with an infected person\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Sarcoidosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The exact cause of this disease is still unknown to medical science. However, experts believe that it may originate from a bacterial or viral infection. The disease cause organ inflammation, most prominently in the lungs, where it creates granulomas. Granulomas are small clumps of inflammatory cells that produce an inflammatory response in the infected organ. In the case of a lung infection, an individual may experience symptoms of shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarcoidosis <\/a>is more common in females than in men, with almost 90% of confirmed cases occurring in African-American women. The symptoms of sarcoidosis can also include weight loss, joint pain, and swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical experts think that this inflammatory disease could infect the nervous system as well. Inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve due to sarcoidosis infection could be a possible cause of Bell\u2019s palsy. Treatment for the disease includes anti-viral medications and administration of antibiotics to cure the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. HIV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This deadly virus attacks the immune system. HIV <\/a>infects and destroys healthy T-cells known as CD4 cells, which are vital for immune function. As HIV spreads in the body and weakens the immune system, infected individuals risk exposure to multiple viral and bacterial infections. Many people who are living with HIV contract a severe viral disease like AIDS or tuberculosis. With their immune system weakened, their body is too weak to fight off the infection, resulting in death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIV transmits through contact with bodily fluids of an infected person. The blood, semen, breast milk, or vaginal fluids carry the virus, but casual contact with an infected individual with not result in infection. HIV can be managed effectively using antiretroviral medications along with changes to nutrition and lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Estimates show that over 1 million Americans currently live with HIV, with 1 in 5 remaining undiagnosed. HIV attacks the immune system. Therefore, medical professionals believe it may be responsible for the body contracting an inflammatory disease, leading to the development of Bell\u2019s Palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Chickenpox<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This viral infection, also known as varicella<\/a>, often infects children and at one stage it was so prevalent that a chicken pox infection was considered a rite of passage. There are links between this extremely contagious virus and inflammation of the cranial nerve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chickenpox produces small, itchy blisters filled with a clear fluid. Permanent scarring may occur if the blisters are scratched and burst. Since the virus is contagious for 48-hours before it presents any symptoms, mass-infections can lead to outbreaks in children that attend nursery schools, where viral outbreaks are bound to happen in close quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s rare to contract the chickenpox virus more than once in the course of life and outbreaks are increasingly rare since the development of a vaccine in the mid-1990\u2019s. However, parents that have not been exposed to the virus before may contract the virus through contact with the saliva, skin, or body fluids of their child. The virus has a more severe effect on adults than in children and requires medication and rest for a successful recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Shingles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The varicella-zoster virus, responsible for causing chickenpox, spreads this disease as well. Children that contract chickenpox <\/a>may carry the disease in their blood for years after infection. The virus can recur decades later in adult life as shingles. This viral infection is similar to chickenpox, but with more intense pain and fever. Blisters manifest in rings or long lines across the torso, face, and or neck. This inflammatory viral infection is another suspected cause of inflammation of the cranial nerve and the development of Bell\u2019s Palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cases of shingles clear after two to three weeks and similar to chickenpox, adults are unlikely to experience the disease twice in their lifetime. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 35% of Americans will experience shingles at some point in their like and the symptoms intensify with age. Risk factors for shingles include being 60 or older, use of chemotherapy or radiation treatment, the use of drugs like steroid medications used to manage organ transplants or hormone imbalances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Epstein-Barr Virus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This viral infection is also known as Infectious mononucleosis or mono. The term refers to a cluster of symptoms associated with the Epstein-Barr virus<\/a> (EBV). The virus can infect people at any age, but it’s most prevalent in teenagers. Also known as \u201cthe kissing disease,\u201d EBV is spread through saliva, and the symptoms may not be noticeable in young children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EBV doesn\u2019t recur, and the chances of re-infection are slim to none, children who contract mono are likely to have a lifelong immunity after recovery from the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that mono occurs in 1 in 4 children when infected with EBV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incubation period for EBV is four to six weeks, and the virus will go away on its own after running its course, which is usually two to three months long. Individuals with mono often have a sore throat, high fever, and swollen lymph glands. Medical professionals recognize EBV as a possible contributing factor to the development of Bell\u2019s Palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Lyme disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This infectious disease comes from the bacteria \u201cBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.\u201d A bite from an infected deer tick or black-legged tick can transmit the bacteria into humans. At the moment, the state of Texas has a span of new cases of Lyme disease<\/a> from tick bites, with the disease affecting people across all demographics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ticks release a chemical that masks the pain of the bite. Therefore, it\u2019s common for individuals not even to be aware they have a tick feeding on their body until days later, or not feel the bite at all. A tick needs contact with the skin for 24 to 48-hours to transmit the bacteria to its new host.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms of Lyme disease vary depending on the stage of the disease. Lyme disease has three stages; Stage 1: Early localized disease, stage 2: Early disseminated Lyme disease, and stage 3: Late disseminated Lyme disease. Medical experts point to Lyme disease and the inflammation caused by the condition as a potential precursor to inflammation of the cranial nerve and the development of Bell\u2019s Palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Cytomegalovirus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known as HCMV, or Human Herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5), cytomegalovirus <\/a>is a common form of the Herpes virus with mild symptoms that often go undetected. The virus can create complications in people with weakened immune systems, as well as pregnant women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HCMV spreads through contact with body fluids and research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 50 percent of adults, over the age of 40, are infected with the virus.
The virus affects individuals of all ages, genders, and ethnic groups. HCMV infection can result in eye damage, organ failure, and blindness, which is why it\u2019s a prospective cause of Bell\u2019s Palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three main types of CMV infections: congenital (transmission through pregnancy), recurring (secondary infections), and acquired (first-time infections). Innovations in antiviral medications have reduced the risk of infection, making the disease manageable with pharmaceutical treatment. Almost 20% of infant infections result in long-term health complications and learning disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Mumps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This highly contagious viral disease is a possible pre-cursor infection that leads to the development of Bell\u2019s Palsy. Most cases of the disease occur in young children. However, there are adult infections as well. Symptoms of the mumps <\/a>include swollen glands, a sore throat, swelling of the salivary glands, jaw, and facial muscles like the cheeks. The condition could also inflame the seventh cranial nerve, placing pressure on the bone gap and the nerve and resulting in the onset of Bell\u2019s Palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the introduction of the mumps vaccine, outbreaks are rare and isolated incidents, with less than 2,000 cases reported to the CDC every month. Once an individual has experienced the mumps, chances of secondary infection are next to none.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms of mumps begin to subside after 7 to 10 days and treated with antiviral medications and antibiotics. The majority of people uninfected with mumps will feel symptoms of the disease. However, up to 50% of individuals infected with the mumps will experience mild symptoms akin to an upper-respiratory tract infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>