Introduction Bell’s Palsy is defined by a temporary, unilateral paralysis of the face caused by inflammation of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). Inflammation of the facial nerve is unknown although theories about a viral infection or disorders of the immune system have been found in research as possible causes. An MRI or CT scan can be used in order to diagnosis Bell’s Palsy by ruling out any other disorders with the same symptoms such as stroke, Lyme disease, or tumors. The disorder occurs suddenly and without any warning making it impossible for prevention. [1] Sir Charles Bell was the founder of this disorder from his studies of the facial nerve and how the interruptions of the nerve pathway caused paralysis. Bell’s Palsy generally …show more content…
Since this disorder is not inherited, someone may not know they have the disease until they experience facial paralysis. Bell’s Palsy affects both men and women equally and targets people between the ages of 15-60. “About 1 in 60 people have a Bell’s Palsy at some stage in their life.” The inflammation of the facial nerve could have been caused by viral infections such as by the herpes simplex, or cold sore, virus or by the varicella-zoster, or chickenpox, virus. Scientists believe that children who have had these viruses and recovered physically, may not have gotten completely rid of the virus internally. While the virus is still floating around within the body, it usually remains inactive although, sometimes it becomes re-activated. The re-activated virus is the known to target the facial nerve causing it to become inflamed and result in the unilateral facial paralysis, Bell’s Palsy. …show more content…
While the effects are usually painless, it is alarming to someone experiencing these signs and symptoms with no prior diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy. Those who do experience pain report it only as an aching pain and is manageable. The weakness develops fairly quickly and may present itself early in the morning while progressing throughout the day or over the next several days. One may look into the mirror and see one side of their face drooping especially when they smile. Another sign someone may present is the difficulty in speech due to the muscles of the mouth not getting innervation from the facial nerve. The lips and tongue need innervation from the same nerve in order to move in the proper directions to make sounds of various letters to form words. Chewing food could also be affected because of the lack of innervation to the muscles. With the muscles of mastication being weak, food may become stuck or drinks may not be able to be contained within the mouth.
The chart below shows the electromyogram results from the study showing neuromyotonic discharges. The discharges are the burst of spontaneous motor units as doublet, triplet, and multiplet release of high intraburst frequency. These discharge were found in every patient, even the one who showed no observable movement (Panagariya385).
The common symptoms associated with Botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, blurred vision, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and muscle weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. After being examined by a doctor his examination may show the gag reflex and the deep tendon reflexes like the knee jerk are either decreased or even absent. Infants who have botulism may appear to be lethargic, weak, and have floppy movements due to muscle weakness and trouble controlling the head. Infants may eat poorly, become constipated, have a weak cry, poor muscle tone and difficulty sucking or feeding. Many of these symptoms are part of the muscle paralysis that is caused by the bacterial neurotoxin. If these symptoms are untreated they may cause paralysis in the various parts of the body. The most often paralysis seen is as the descending paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and the breathing muscles.
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of chronic disorders that involve degrees of brain damage that affect body control and movement. The term cerebral refers to the brain, while palsy describes a disorder that impairs the control of body movement. These disorders are not the result of muscles or nerves problems. Instead, they are due to impaired motor areas in the brain that disrupt its ability to control movement and posture. The condition typically appears within the first few years of life and it is not marked by regression. (Mecham, 1986)
The human body is made up of many organ systems that consist of organs and tissues of different anatomies and diverse nomenclature. These organs systems, organs and tissues are prone to thousands of diseases, and one of these diseases is cerebral palsy, which is a disease of the nervous system in simple terms. Research relating to cerebral palsy is carried out, whereby the disorder is described, along with its history, and how it affects the nervous system and the brain. The anatomy of the body systems involves with regard to this disorder, the effects of the disorder on these body systems and other body systems are also researched and discussed. Furthermore, the research focuses on the causes of cerebral palsy, its complications, signs, and symptoms, and the diagnosis of the disorder, along with its treatment and side effects of the treatment. A recap of the research focusing on prevention strategies, the anatomy and physiology of cerebral palsy and the nervous system is presented.
Affected individuals develop unilateral facial paralysis over one to three days with forehead involvement and no other neurologic abnormalities. Symptoms typically peak in the first week and then gradually resolve over three weeks to three months (Mayo Clinic Health Letter, 2009).Those who are at more of a risk to Bell’s palsy include pregnant women, those with diabetes, those with upper respiratory disorders, and mostly young, middle- aged, adults (Crisan & Laza, 2010). This illness is much less common in individuals 10 years or younger and individuals 60 years and above in age.
If you develop this syndrome, then your experience can range from a mild, uncomfortable sensation in your mouth to more intense pain or even no pain but instead numbness.
Progressive bulbar palsy is a form of MND that mainly affects the muscles in the throat, tongue and face that causes difficulties with speech, swallowing, coughing and clearing the throat. PBP can also affect the expression of emotions and people might laugh or cry for no apparent reason.
They may develop alone or in combination, but as the disease progresses, all are usually present. There is no true paralysis. The symptoms are always bilateral but usually involve one side early in the illness. Because the onset is insidious, the beginning of symptoms is difficult to document. Early in the disease, reflex status, sensory status, and mental status usually are normal. Postural abnormalities (flexed, forward leaning), difficulty walking, and weakness develop. Speech may be slurred. Autonomic-neuroendocrine symptoms include inappropriate diaphoresis, orthostatic hypotension, drooling, gastric retention, constipation, and urinary retention. Depression is also prevalent.
It can affect anyone. It can strike at any age and both sexes are correspondingly predisposed to the disorder. Generally, Guillain-Barré occurs a couple of days or weeks after the patient has had symptoms of a respiratory or gastrointestinal viral septicity. Many a times, surgery or vaccinations will elicit the syndrome. Infection with the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common risk elements for GBS. Folks also can develop GBS after having the flu or other infections (such as cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus).
So what is Bell's palsy? Bell's palsy is a form facial paralysis. Most of the times it only affects one side of your face but in some rare cases it affects both. Bell's palsy occurs when 7th cranial nerve (facial nerve) starts acting up because “something” irritates it. I say “something” because it is not exactly sure what causes Bell's palsy. Researchers have come to believe that it is sometime type of Herpes simplex virus. The scary thing is that once you get bell's palsy there is always a chance of reoccurance. So you can get it multiple times.
movement problems. The most common type of Cerebral Palsy is spastic, which is caused by
All cranial nerves tested within normal limits. Pt passed visual fields exam and no problems with gag reflex. Pt moved muscles evenly and bilaterally and was able to shrug shoulders and move head from side to side.
Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is the complete immobility of one vocal fold. According to Sapienza and Ruddy (2013), “90% of vocal fold paralysis that occurs is unilateral and caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system” (p. 189). Vocal fold paralysis is typically considered a symptom of a disease or neurologic disruption. In one study, it was found that vocal fold paralysis was caused by surgical trauma, tumors or neoplasms, unknown or idiopathic factors, trauma, central nervous system dysfunction, radiation, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and other causes (Chen, Jen, Wang, Lee, & Lin, 2007). Symptoms of unilateral vocal fold paralysis may include: aphonia, abnormal vocal quality (breathy, hoarse, and/or strained), and dysphagia. Onset of UVFP may be life altering as the individual has to find compensatory strategies for voicing or even alternative methods of communication. The individual is also left susceptible to aspiration due to the lack of airway protection. These factors make it critical to diagnose the impairment so as to provide the appropriate treatment.
Imagine living a life where someone doesn’t control all his or her muscle movements. Erika Elliott lives this life every day. Erika Elliott is 23 years old and is currently attending college.Erika is attending Northwest state she is studying psychology. When she isn’t attending classes or studying Erika spends her time doing crafts, writing, baking, or listening to music. Erika Elliott is a woman who lives with cerebral palsy and has an inspiring story to tell. Cerebral palsy is a complex neurological condition that requires specific treatment.
Research is also being done to help with the curing of Bell’s Palsy. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) performs extensive research in order to better the understanding of how the nervous system works and what causes dysfunction in the nervous system. Some of this research entails learning more about what causes nerve damage and certain diseases and conditions that cause nerve damage. Information gained from this research can aid neurologists to find the cause of Bell’s Palsy, which would obviously lead to better treatments (NINDS, 2011).