Manage Bell's palsy through Ayurveda

Bell’s palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis that causes sudden weakness in facial muscles as a result of damage or trauma to the facial nerve.

The actress Katie Holmes 's signature smirk is a side effect of Bell's Palsy.

The facial nerve, on its way from the brain stem , the junction between the brain and the spinal cord , passes through a narrow bony passage close to the ear. At times of lowered immunity, a dormant virus, usually the chicken pox or cold sore virus can wake up and attack the nerve causing it to swell. The result of the swelling is a constriction of the facial nerve inside that narrow bony passage, which in turn causes the paralysis.Sometimes this can be triggered by an event like trauma such as skull fracture or facial injury. Facial palsy can also occur in association with high blood pressure, diabetes, and tumors.

Bell's palsy can strike anyone, of any age, gender or race, and although it's classified as a "rare" illness, it is common enough that about one in 60 people will experience an episode at some time in their life. The very good news is that most people make a full recovery within the space of a few months.

The thousands of endings into which the facial nerve eventually divides are embedded in cheeks, forehead, lips and eyelids.This was responsible for every emotion from a smile, and a wink to a frown.In facial palsy no matter how hard the brain tries to send messages, from that one point of swelling onwards the face beyond sits there in blissful radio silence cut off and stranded.The paralysis makes half of the face appear to droop.Smile will be one-sided, and the eye on that side resists closing. Symptoms can vary from person to person and range in severity from mild weakness to total paralysis. Problems with eating or drinking, impaired speech, an altered or reduced sense of taste, increased sensitivity to sound in the affected ear are the symptoms noted on facial palsy.

According to Ayurveda Bells palsy is correlated as "Ardhita" which is a well known type of disease which has an exclusive involvement of vata dosha in its pathogenesis. The facial nerve manifests the maximum number of symptom and hence it is frequently compared to facial nerve palsy. Medicines like Dhanadanayanadi and Maharasnadi kashayam are usually indicated. External therapies like Thalam, Abhyangam or massaging face with medicated oils like Ksheerabala, Karpasathyadi tailam etc are used according to the clinical condition. Kseeradhoomam is a special type of procedure where the face is fomented with steam of medicated milk or decoctions. Siropichu and Sirovasthy are the head treatments having excellent result in the management of Facial palsy. Among them Sirovasthy( retaining of medicated oil over head for a prescribed period of time )is the important treatment explained in Ayurveda treatment of Ardhita. Nasyam (nasal application) Kabalam (retaining of medicine inside mouth) karnapooranam (application of medicine in the ear) are the other treatments usually indicated in treating Ardhita. Rasayanas like lasunam and Bhallataka are effective in treating Ardhita.Dr. Pathrose, Chief Physician, Parathuvayalil Hospital &Orthopedic Centre, says “the nerve, over the time, is able to recover and regenerate through Ayurveda procedures unless the treatment is done under proper guidance of a medical practitioner.

Certain facial exercises are useful in accelerating the rate of recovery. Since it aggravates vata Patient is advised to avoid cold exposure . Bubble gum chewing is effective as an exercise. Another simple exercise which can be suggested is asking the patient to smile and frown for 10 times at a stretch.

Although it can seem frightening at first, most people with Bell's palsy recover fully within 1 to 3 months."Dealing with a condition like Bell's palsy it's important to eat well and get lots of sleep. Good nutrition and rest will help body to heal itself " Dr. Pathrose added.