ABOUT BELL’S PALSY

Bell’s palsy is also commonly known as a type of facial paralysis. It is an idiopathic condition which is caused by the paralysis of the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve). There is no known specific cause or explanation for the development of this condition. Facial paralysis results from a lot of primary and secondary factors but, in case of Bell’s palsy the facial paralytic condition remains totally unexplained. The name Bell has been given to this condition after the name of the Scottish anatomist Charles Bell.

Bell's Palsy, Facial Paralysis

Bell’s palsy affects 0.1% of the population worldwide and involves only one nerve, the facial nerve. It should be noted here that in case of Bell’s palsy, there is total loss of function of the facial nerve on one or both sides of the face. It is not merely a facial weakness as is the case with facial paresthesia and the patient is unable to eat food and drink liquids. The face on the affected side may drop down and the eyelids and the corners of the face may drop. Difficulty in hearing and facial muscular weakness may also accompany these symptoms.

Even though the symptoms of the disease are very alarming, the good thing is that the symptoms can be recovered easily establishing a state of perfect health.

CAUSES OF BELL’S PALSY

The most common and obvious explanation for the cause of Bell’s palsy is inflammation of the facial nerve that arises from the brain and supplies the face.

Viral infections like Herpes simplex and Chicken pox may also be the cause of the disease. The patient may have had these viral infections sometime in the past and have stayed in the nerve roots in dormant condition. In case of Bell’s palsy, there may be a sudden reactivation of these viruses causing Bell’s palsy.

AGE GROUP AFFECTED

People in the age group of 10 – 40 years can develop the disease. The occurrence is as common in males as it is in females. The disease can occur at any stage of life affecting children and adults equally.

SYMPTOMS OF BELL’S PALSY

  • Facial weakness, which may be unilateral or bilateral i.e. it may involve one or both sides of the face.
  • Dropping of the face on the affected side.
  • Dribbling saliva.
  • Lacrimation.
  • Smile may look partial as only the muscles on the normal side of the face appear to be contributing in the smile reflex.
  • Inability to close the eye on the affected side. Dry eye may accompany this symptom.
  • Hearing may also get affected. The intensity may vary from one side to another.
  • Inability to blow a whistle or speak properly. Particular words may be more difficult to pronounce.
  • Pain is not a common feature.
  • Loss of sense of taste as per the area of the tongue affected by the disease.

HOW IS BELL’S PALSY DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER CERBRAL LESION?

In case of Bell’s palsy the only symptoms are the ones concerned with the area affected and supplied by the facial nerve. There is no sign of numbness of any other body part. This is the differentiating factor which would also let you know whether there may be an underlying pathology like stroke or not.

PROGNOSIS OF THE DISEASE

Bell’s palsy has a good recovery record with most patients getting back to normalcy in a period of few weeks to months. In a very few patients, some symptoms may persist for a life time.

BELL’S PALSY OR ARDITA VATA

Ardita vata is one of the 80 vata afflictions that are purely due to an imbalance of the ethereal body energy inside the body.

CAUSES OF ARDITA VATA IN AYURVEDA

  • Speaking at the top of the voice and for a prolonged period of time.
  • Excessively laughing, yawning and chewing hard food items.

  • Improper posture.
  • Injury to the facial muscles.
  • Injury to the vital points (Marma).
  • Suppression of natural urges.

As we have discussed earlier that Bell’s palsy is most often an idiopathic condition. In the above causes, as mentioned in the ancient Ayurveda texts, there occurs a vitiation of the vata doshas as a result of the above activities which leads to the development of the disease known as Bell’s palsy or Ardita vata.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR BELL’S PALSY BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda gives a range of various herbal remedies like Bell’s Palsy Care Pack for ayurvedic treatment of bell’s palsy. Best quality herbs are put to use while preparing these remedies and adhering to the principles of Ayurveda. These remedies are utterly natural, pure and vegetarian. These remedies are free from chemicals, preservatives, additives and any side effects.

DOSAGE

  1. Ashwagandha Capsule – 1 capsule twice daily with warm water after meals.
  2. Brahmi Capsule – 1 capsule twice daily with warm water after meals.
  3. Curcumin Capsule – 1 capsule twice daily with warm water after meals.
  4. Gandhak Rasayan – 2 tablets twice daily with warm water after meals.
  5. Mahakalyanaka Ghrit – Half tsp twice daily with lukewarm water or with warm milk .
  6. Nirgundi Oil – Gentle massage over the face once daily.

PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION

1. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

These capsules play a significant role in reducing anxiety, stress and depression in a person. It calms brain muscles and rejuvenates entire nervous system. This herb i.e. Ashwagandha is also very effective in treating all kind of body pains, joint pains and muscle stiffness in back and neck muscles. It is a good tonic for arthritis patients and gives one instant relief. Use of this herb on a regular basis ensures optimum blood pressure and successful treatment of insomnia along with facial paralysis. It makes an excellent and effective Bell’s palsy ayurvedic treatment.

2. BRAHMI CAPSULES

This is a very important herbal medicine packed with pure extracts of Brahmi herb (Bacopa monnieri) which is also known as the memory enhancer. It strengthens brain muscles, nourishes neurons, increases retention power and stimulates nervous system. This herb is very good for growing children as it builds their learning abilities, helps them to understand and grasp quickly.

3. CURCUMIN CAPSULES

This is wonderful herbal medicine, which gives relief from acute and severe pain of joints, muscles and body. It is a wonderful medicine for arthritis patients. These capsules successfully treats varieties of musculo-skeletal, nervous disorders and produces long term results. Curcumin capsules of Planet Ayurveda are packed with standardized extracts of best quality herb Haridra and Curcumin is its active compound that serves as a healing agent. It’s rich in natural anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. These capsules reduces obesity and lipids to a great extent. It also deals effectively with deadly abdominal tumors, female reproductive organs, improper digestion and worm infestations in the body as well.

4. GANDHAK RASAYAN

This classical herbal preparation is prepared from purified sulphur. It gives very effective results in Bell’s palsy patients. The tablets are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial & immuno modulator in nature.

5. MAHAKALYANAKA GHRIT

This preparation is available in lehya (paste) form and prepared by Planet Ayurveda as mentioned in classical texts. This ghrita consists of various ingredients such as shweta sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), haridra (Curcuma longa), tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and various others. In Bell’s palsy there is aggravation of vata dosha which leads to the irritation and weakness of facial muscle and makes the face turn from normal to the opposite side. Mahakalyanaka ghrit helps in pacification of vata dosha and provides strength to the facial nerve and facial muscles thus effectively relieves the symptoms of Bell’s palsy.

6. NIRGUNDI OIL

Nirgundi oil is an herbal classical formulation that is best indicated in Bell’s palsy where half of the face is paralyzed. The oil possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and natural analgesic properties that deals with symptoms effectively. It is used for external application.

To buy Bell’s Palsy Care Pack, please visit store.planetayurveda.com/products/bells-palsy-care-pack.