What is Bell's Palsy and how do people contract it?

It's not just the coronavirus you have to be careful of when interacting with other people.

Not known to many, Bell's Palsy is a possible viral infection that is common among adolescents and adults because of their exposure to the environment.

According to a recent PinoyMD episode, Bell's Palsy is a disease where there is partial paralysis or partial weakness of the facial muscle in one side of the face. This is a result of an irritation of a facial nerve placed in either the left or right side of the face.

"Usually in some patients, nagakakaroon sila ng lalong paglalaway or drooling. In some patients, nawawalan sila ng panlasa," Child Neurology Society of the Philippines President Dr Adolfo Solis said.

He added, "It's postulated sa mga studies na nananalaytay mismo doon sa ugat ng facial nerve 'yung virus kaya it is the one causing the irritation. Pwede nagkaroon ka ng mild symptoms before pero hindi pa tumabingi ang face mo. Tapos later on, 'pag magre-reactivate 'yung virus, doon na magiging tabingi ang face mo."

Solis said that Bell's Palsy occurs suddenly and immediately but fortunately, patients have high possibilities of recovery. It can last from three weeks to five months. Some, even have the disease for up to a year.

This disease can actually be brought by cold sore due to a herpes simplex virus. It can also be because of chicken pox, flu, German measles or mumps.

Solis clarified that there has been no studies yet in connecting Bell's Palsy to overexposure to gadgets.

"Wala relation between the overuse of gadget tyaka development of Bell's Palsy," Solis said. "Kahit healthy ang bata, may nakakalusot pa rin na viruses. Doon pa rin paalala na doble ingat pa rin sa pakikipag socialize natin."

Mild facial therapy and facial exercises at home, said Solis, can help patients in their recovery. Aside from doing exercises, it's also best to put hot or cold compress ten minutes in the morning and at night daily.

Solis also advised that patients should consult with their doctors just within three days of symptoms showing up.

Celebrities were also reported to have been hit by this disease such as Janeena Chan and Angelu de Leon. — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News