Symptoms of BELL'S PALSY

Bell's palsy produces sudden paralysis on one side of the face. The muscles to the eyelid are involved, and it is difficult or impossible to close the eye and cover the cornea. Pain may develop behind the ear on the affected side. The involved side of the face appears flat and expressionless. Distorted smiles and frowns occur and drooling develops from the weakened mouth. The facial nerve has some of the taste sensation for the tongue traveling with it. This results in loss of taste on half of the tongue. Tear formation is affected as well as increased sensitivity to sound due to weakness of the stapedeus muscle.