What is Bell's palsy?
Bell's palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face. It results from damage to the facial nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face, causing that side of your face to droop. The nerve damage also affects taste sensation and tear and saliva production. This condition comes on suddenly, often overnight, and usually resolves on its own within a few weeks.

Bell's palsy is not the result of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). While stroke and TIA can cause facial paralysis, there is no relationship between Bell's palsy and either of these conditions. Palsy simply means weakness or paralysis.

How is Bell's palsy diagnosed?
Your doctor may diagnose Bell's palsy by asking you questions, such as about how your symptoms developed. He or she will also give you a physical and neurological exam to check facial nerve function and rule out more serious causes of facial paralysis.

How is it treated?
Most people who have Bell's palsy recover on their own within a few weeks to a couple of months. However, a small number of people may have permanent weakness of the muscles on the affected side of the face.

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, if he or she believes that Bell's palsy is caused by a virus. If your doctor suspects that Bell's palsy is caused by inflammation from another disease, you may be given corticosteroids, such as prednisone, to reduce the inflammation. However, there is no clear evidence that corticosteroids or antiviral medicines are effective treatments for Bell's palsy.