Bell's Palsy
Can you tell me what causes Bell’s Palsy and is there anything I can take or do to try and prevent a further attack.
Bell’s palsy is an abnormality of the facial nerve that then causes weakness or a sudden paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. The cause is unknown although current thinking suggests it may either be caused by a swelling of the facial nerve in response to a viral infection or may be the result of an insufficient blood supply.
The symptoms can appear very suddenly but when the paralysis is partial, you can expect a complete recovery within two months. If the condition persists longer than 12 months, the surgical graft of a healthy nerve, usually taken from the tongue, into the paralysed muscle is an option.
The B vitamins, all of which work best when taken together, play a role in nerve functioning so find a good vitamin B complex and take up to 200mg daily. Magnesium is involved in muscle impulse transmission and the activity of nerve cells so take 250mg daily and step up your dietary intake of leafy green vegetables. Calcium is also key to healthy nerve action and muscles contraction so take 500mg a day.
To prevent a further attack, you need to bolster your immune system. A large daily dose of zinc (50mg) will help since it works to support all aspects of immune function.