Bell's palsy

Bell's palsy (facial palsy) is characterised by facial drooping due to malfunction of the facial nerve (VII cranial nerve), which controls the muscles of the face. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve), and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis. Bell?s palsy affects about 40,000 people in the United States every year. It affects approximately 1 person in 65 during a lifetime. Until recently, its cause was unknown in most cases, but it has now been related to both Lyme disease and Herpes simplex.

Famous sufferers

Well-known patients with Bell's palsy include Canada's 20th Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, WWE commentator Jim Ross, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage and actors Alexis Denisof, Jamey Sheridan and Sylvester Stallone.

Related Topics:
Canada's - Prime Minister - Jean Chrétien - WWE - Jim Ross - Ralph Nader - Rick Savage - Alexis Denisof - Jamey Sheridan - Sylvester Stallone

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