title: When is facial paralysis Bell palsy? Current diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Bell palsy is largely a diagnosis of exclusion, but certain features in the history and physical examination help distinguish it from facial paralysis due to other conditions: eg, abrupt onset with complete, unilateral facial weakness at 24 to 72 hours, and, on the affected side, numbness or pain around the ear, a reduction in taste, and hypersensitivity to sounds. Corticosteroids and antivirals given within 10 days of onset have been shown to help. But Bell palsy resolves spontaneously without treatment in most patients within 6 months.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Joseph Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA.
authors.forename: Anwar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020330:Bell Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir