BELL’S PALSY
It is a kind of facial paralysis due to damage or trauma to the facial nerve affecting only one of the paired facial nerves and the side of the face.
FACIAL NERVE
The facial nerve is the 7th cranial nerve supplying the muscles of one side of the face, controlling eye blinking and closing and facial expressions like smiling and frowning.
It also carries nerve impulses to lacrimal/salivary glands
Also transits taste sensation from the tongue.
CAUSES
Most of the cases it's unknown
It occurs when the facial nerve that controls facial muscle is swollen, inflamed, or compressed resulting in facial weakness/paralysis.
SYMPTOMS
- Twitching
- Weakness on one side of the face
- Drooping of eyelids and corner of the mouth
- Dryness of mouth/eye
- Impairment of taste
- impaired speech in severe cases
- Difficulty in chewing
AYURVEDIC VIEW
In Ayurveda, this comes under Vatavyadhi, called Ardhita where Vata dosha is predominant. Vitiated Vata affects snayu related to half part of the face.
TREATMENT PRINCIPLE
- Vata vyadhi chikitsa
- Avaranagnam
- ushna virya drugs are selected
INTERNAL MEDICATION
Medicines are to be given strictly under ayurvedic doctor supervision. Some of them are
- Ashtavarga kashayam
- Dhanadanayanadi kashayam
- Maharasnadi kashayam
- Rasonadi kasayam
- Aswagandha choornam/ Kalyana avaleha choornam with Nimbu swarasam
- Balarishtam and Ashwagandharishtam etc
- A prescription may vary according to dosha anubhanda (condition).
EXTERNAL THERAPY
Abhyangam ,Thalam, Lepanam
Ksheeradhoomam, Siropichu , Sirodhara, and Siro vasty
Pathya or wholesome food- Food that can be used
- Butter is the best pathya
- Milk, ghee, black gram
- Mutton soup, wheat, red rice/Navara rice
- Garlic, raisins
Apathy or unwholesome food- Food that is not good
Bitter and dry fruits
Fried vegetables and hard foodstuffs