Facial expressions are often taken for granted, but losing control over them can be a shocking experience. Bell’s palsy is a common condition that causes temporary facial paralysis. It can make it difficult to perform simple tasks like eating, drinking, and sleeping. While the physical symptoms can be challenging, the emotional toll of losing the ability to express positive emotions can be devastating.
This case speaks of 50-year-old Jahnavi, who wakes up one fine winter morning just to find her life at an unknown juncture that she never imagined even in her sickest dreams.
Like every other day, the morning alarm broke the silence of her sleep; she slowly opened her eyes and reached out to the bottle of water she keeps by the bed. She sat on the bed with the velvety blanket wrapped around her legs and poured some water into the glass. As she gulped the first sip she felt a few drops dripping on her hand.
Water was leaking from the corner of the mouth and she could not control it. This was the first shock. Keeping the glass back on the table she realized she just cannot blink. The right eye won’t shut down. This came as an after quake.
She rushed to the bathroom to check her reflexes in the mirror. Each cell of her body emitted the tremor of fear. She saw herself in the mirror, the right corner of her mouth was drooping, and no way she could move the muscles in her face.
Hit by a bolt from the blue she screamed out loud. Her husband came running consoled her for her anxiety and booked an appointment for her in vikram hospital.
Jahnavi sat there babbling the incidents in her mouth. She took a sip of water from the glass and gathered herself to speak with some clarity. She said, “Sir, I think I got a stroke. I am stressed for the last two months, and today morning I had a stroke of that. I felt like dying at that very moment”.
She continued with a brief pause wiping the tears “Is there a tumor in my brain? Should I undergo surgery? Is this my end?
The medical professionals scrutinized her with a thorough examination, checking her vital signs and administering several tests. They inquired about her general well-being and memory, searching for clues to the source of her ailment. Her responses were accurate, prompting a fleeting sense of relief, but the nagging suspicion about her health remained.
Restlessly awaiting the neurologist, she attempted to distract herself by fixating on the muted images flickering across the television screen in the drab waiting room. The pervasive sense of uncertainty left her in a state of constant unease, a sensation more unbearable than any potential diagnosis.
Finally, the neurologist emerged from the labyrinthine corridors andrevealed the diagnosis to the patient – Bell’s palsy.
The neurologist delivered the unsettling news that an MRI was required to determine the cause of the condition. With each passing hour, anxiety and tension mounted, fraying her nerves and shrouding her thoughts in a hazy, disorienting fog. But then, at last, the nurse arrived, carrying a large folded envelope that bore the definitive diagnosis – Bell’s palsy. It was a diagnosis that could not be denied or dismissed, a verdict that would have a profound impact on her life.
Bell’s palsy, a neurological disorder, is one of the most common afflictions that cause temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. This debilitating condition causes one side of the face to droop or stiffens, making it arduous for the patients to smile or close their eyes on the affected side.
Facial nerve trauma can occur due to physical injuries, skull fractures, surgical procedures, infections such as Lyme disease and shingles, and tumors in the facial region. Medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can also increase the risk of developing facial paralysis.
Jahnavi’s facial paralysis was caused by exposure to a cold breeze while she was sleeping near a window with a gap. The cold air entered her ear and caused inflammation and swelling of the facial nerves, leading to facial paralysis. It is important to note that cold weather and exposure to cold air can increase the risk of developing facial paralysis, particularly in people with weakened immune systems or those predisposed to the condition. Protecting the face and ears during cold weather can help prevent facial nerve damage and paralysis.
Jahnavi, overcome with emotion, broke down. As she walked out of the hospital, her life had changed forever. The simplest acts, like eating and drinking, became agonizing struggles. She had to tape her eye shut to get some rest, and the bitter winter weather caused her eyeball to freeze in her socket. Dust and debris infiltrated her eyes with ease as she could no longer blink or close them as a reflex action. Every passing minute only emphasized the significance of each facial muscle that enabled her to function normally.
Yet, her physical struggles were only the surface of her anguish. She found herself drowning in an emotional battle as well. Losing the ability to express positive emotions like joy, love, and kindness, or being unable to greet a friend or loved one with a welcoming grin, was devastating. Her facial expressions now took on unfamiliar and confusing formations, leaving people at a loss to interpret her feelings.
Life had become an unbearable struggle for her, pushing her to turn towards Ayurveda with a glimmer of hope for a cure. As she stepped into my clinic, she narrated every excruciating detail of her pain and suffering, seeking a way back to normalcy.
With great care, I prescribed her a regimen of Ayurvedic medicines, including daily Gandusha with tila taila, Nasya with karpasasthyadi taila for 10 days, and Jalaneti with mashabala atmaguptadi kashaya along with oral medications. Additionally, I emphasized the need for proper eye protection gear, especially in the early days of Bell’s palsy, when eye care is of the utmost importance. Failure to protect the eye can lead to permanent corneal damage. Therefore, I recommended artificial tear films and advised her to tape her eye with micropore plaster.
To further support her healing, I taught her a series of facial exercises, including eyebrow raises, frowning faces, balloon blowing, compressed lips, nose, eye, and neck and chin exercises. And, of course, a healthy Ayurvedic diet to stimulate the healing process.
Facial palsy can be a lonely and overwhelming experience, causing one to feel isolated and misunderstood. The inability to communicate through facial expressions can make even the simplest of social situations seem insurmountable. However, reassurance is crucial in easing the anxiety and isolation that accompanies facial palsy.
I assured her of a complete recovery and explained the importance of complete rest both mentally and physically, handing over the prescription along with a to-do list. During her regular follow-up after one month, she showed remarkable improvement and, within three months, had fully recovered.
Bell’s palsy is indeed a completely curable condition, but it requires not only good physical care but emotional support as well, as the journey can be a challenging one.
( Note: To protect the privacy of the person, the name in the article has been changed to Jahnavi )
