贝尔的麻痹：恢复的最佳途径
Bell’s palsy isperhaps best known for its hallmark symptom—the drooping of one side of the face. But by seeking steroid treatment at the first sign of symptoms, you stand a better chance of a full recovery. Here's what you need to know.
障碍,这会削弱或麻痹面部μscles, is temporary for most people, even without treatment, although up to 30 percent of patients with Bell’s palsy fail to recover full strength in their facial muscles.
The American Academy of Neurology updated its treatment guidelines for Bell’s palsy in 2012 after reviewing data from nine past studies that involved treating patients with steroids and/or antiviral drugs.
The AAN found that most people who took oral steroids (already a mainstay of Bell’s palsy treatment) during the first three days of symptoms improved and regained their full facial function. Those taking antiviral medications alone didn't get better.
The updated guidelines state that it’s “highly likely steroids are effective in increasing the probability” of regaining full facial function.
What causes Bell’s palsy?
由于对面部肌肉运动的面部神经损坏，钟的麻痹发生。神经可能变得发炎，肿胀或压缩。但是，尚不知道究竟会导致损坏。
大多数科学家都认为单纯疱疹病毒 - 与唇疱疹和生殖器疱疹导致的同样的病毒 - 是神经损伤最常见的原因，但这仍然存在争议。
其他病毒感染，如疱疹（带状疱疹），巨细胞病毒（类似于与鸡痘和疱疹相关的病毒）以及Epstein-Barr病毒也是可疑的，也是莱姆疾病。
These infections may cause the facial nerve to swell and become inflamed. The swelling can compress or “pinch” the nerve, impairing signals from the brain and resulting in temporary weakness or paralysis.
Bell’s palsy onset can be sudden, and symptoms typically worsen over 48 hours. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can vary from person to person. (In rare cases, symptoms can affect both sides of the face.) In addition to facial weakness or paralysis, symptoms may include:
-A drooping eyebrow, eyelid, and/or corner of the mouth on one side of the face
-没有感觉脸上的一侧
-Drooling
-Facial twitching
-Headache
-Excessive tearing
-Inability to close one eye, squint or blink, leading to dry eye
-口干
-Loss of sense of taste
-Sensitivity to loud noises
症状可能在两周后开始消退，特别是如果它们温和。您拥有的越神经损坏越多，需要越长。如果您的症状在21天后改善，那么您将完全恢复的良好指标。大多数人在症状发作的三到六个月内重新获得全部面部函数。
Bell’s palsy afflicts about 30,000 to 40,000 Americans each year, according to the AAN. It can appear at any age, but after age 60, your odds of being affected by the disorder begin to drop.
Steroids: A proven treatment
Undergoing early short-term steroid treatment of about five to 10 days increases your probability of a full recovery from Bell’s palsy.
The AAN advises that you take oral steroids, such as prednisone, preferably within three days of symptom onset. The steroids appear to reduce the inflammation in the face.
However, if you have poorly controlled diabetes, low bone density or an intolerance to steroids, or if you are morbidly obese, your doctor may advise against taking steroids because of potential complications.
In its analysis, the AAN found that antiviral drugs alone, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, didn’t help improve recovery. It found only a slight benefit in combining an antiviral with a steroid.
Finally, if symptoms affect your ability to blink or fully close your eye(s), you need to take special precautions to prevent dry eye and possible damage to your cornea.
每小时滴下人工泪液，夜间涂抹防护剂可以帮助保持眼睛润滑。您的医生也可能表明您在白天戴眼镜或护目镜，睡觉时戴眼层。
