Though doctors have researched Bell’s Palsy for quite some time, the exact causes of the disorder are not completely known. Bell’s Palsy is the weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of your face. If you suffer from it, it may be more difficult to smile, blink, taste, cry, and use other types of facial muscles.
These muscles are controlled by a facial nerve that runs from your brain and through a narrow corridor of bone in your skull. This shell made out of bone is meant to protect the nerve, but when this nerve becomes inflamed, it may start to grow or move within this shell and become pinched by the bone. Once pinched or damaged, the nerve is no longer is able to transmit messages to your facial muscles or send messages back to the brain, and doctors believe this is the primary cause of Bell’s Palsy.
Though doctors and scientist have a basic understanding of Bells Palsy causes, there is still direct research that proves these theories. Certain viral infections have been linked to Bell’s Palsy, and it’s believe that these viruses provoke immune responses and inflammation in your nerve which cause the pinching or compressing. There are a number of different viruses that have been linked to Bell’s Palsy. Once they reach that sensitive area between the bone where the facial nerve is located, you are at risk for Bell’s Palsy.
There are some viruses that have already been studied and linked as potential Bells Palsy causes. These viruses include:
- Genital herpes and cold sores
- Shingles and chicken pox
- Cytomegalovirus
- Mononucleosis
- Adenovirus and other respiratory viruses
- Rubella
- Mumps
- Influenza
- Coxsackievirus, also known as Hand-foot-and-mouth disease