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Bell's Palsy
Bell's Palsy - Causes
Causes of Bell's Palsy
The exact causes of Bell's palsy are still not clear. However, most health experts believe that this disorder occurs due an inflammation caused by the herpes simplex virus. This is the same virus which leads to genital herpes and cold sores. Some of the other viruses that could lead to Bell's palsy include:
- Herpes Zoster: The virus that can cause chickenpox as well as shingles.
- Epstein Barr: The virus that causes mononucleosis.
- Cytomegalovirus: Another virus that belongs to the same family, as herpes simplex.
At times, the inflammation or swelling of the nerve that controls the facial muscles may occur due to another underlying health condition. Given below are some of the other possible causes of Bell's palsy:
- Middle ear infection
- HIV infection
- Sarcoidosis
- Lyme's disease
Studies indicate that each year, there are about 30,000 to 40,000 reported cases of Bell's palsy each year. This disorder rarely affects people who are below the age of 15 or above the age of 60. The occurrences of Bell's palsy are higher in:
- Pregnant women especially those who are in the third trimester of pregnancy
- Women who have had a baby less than a week ago
- Diabetic patients
- People who are suffering from an infection of the upper respiratory tract like a cold
Though rare, there are some people who suffer from recurrent episodes of Bell's palsy, because of a genetic predisposition to the condition. This mostly occurs in people who have a family history of recurrent Bell's palsy attacks.
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