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What is Bell’s Palsy?
The most common type of facial paralysis is Bell's palsy, which affects between 15,000 and 40,000 people annually in the United States. This condition is named after Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon from the 1800s. Since the exact cause of facial palsy is often unknown, it is usually diagnosed by ruling out other possibilities. The most common sign of Bell's palsy is sudden weakness on one side of the face, which is often accompanied by ear pain. This condition is more likely to happen to people with certain health problems, like diabetes or pregnancy.
During pregnancy, facial paralysis usually starts in the third trimester and goes away on its own after the baby is born. Face paralysis can sometimes happen right after a baby is born. Most people who have Bell's Palsy get better. Most of the time, primary care doctors, neurologists, or otolaryngologists are the ones who diagnose and treat this condition.