Facial paralysis: a stroke or a virus?

Sometimes patients call and report that one side of their face paralyzed or she is skewed and that they are confident - this is a stroke or brain tumor. But there is another cause of facial asymmetry, which has nothing to do with these two sinister diseases: Bell's palsy, facial paralysis, which is probably caused by a virus. Stroke and brain tumors life-threatening, while the effects of Bell's palsy mainly cosmetic. Although skewed person that he is, usually decreases with time, but often remains a definite change. However, it is incomparable with the aftermath of a stroke or tumor.

Often you can determine what happens on the characteristic symptoms. The symptoms associated with the tumor, develop gradually, while the facial paralysis and stroke occur suddenly. Brain tumor is often accompanied by headache, seizures, blindness, and even that is rarely seen in stroke and never with Bell's palsy. If a person paralyzed - the result of a stroke, arm or leg may also become weak or paralyzed, which is not in facial paralysis. But here's the really typical difference: in paralysis of the face as a consequence of a stroke, you can close the eye on the affected side and furrowed his brow. It is impossible for Bell's palsy. Therefore, if you woke up one morning and find that your face is contorted, you can just make sure that you do not hit, trying to close his eyes. If you are not able to close it and it is rolled up, you should be very happy! You will also notice other symptoms of facial paralysis: for example, the angle of the mouth dropped, saliva dripping from his mouth, and when you try to inflate the cheeks, the cheek on the paralyzed side bulges stronger. But the main thing - it's the eyes.

Symptom: facial paralysis