Bell's palsy is a type of facial palsy where the cause is unknown. Facial palsy, on the other hand, is a general term describing weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, which can have various underlying causes. Therefore, Bell's palsy is a specific instance of facial palsy.
Here's a breakdown:
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Facial Palsy: This is the broad term for any weakness or paralysis affecting the facial nerves, resulting in drooping or weakness on one or both sides of the face. The cause could be:
- Infection (e.g., viral infections like herpes simplex or herpes zoster, Lyme disease)
- Trauma or injury to the face or head
- Stroke
- Tumors
- Autoimmune disorders
- Neurological conditions
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Bell's Palsy: This is a diagnosis of exclusion. Doctors diagnose Bell's palsy when they've ruled out all other known causes of facial palsy. It is believed to be caused by swelling and inflammation of the facial nerve, but the exact reason why this happens is often unclear.
In essence, all Bell's palsy is facial palsy, but not all facial palsy is Bell's palsy. The key difference is the presence or absence of an identifiable cause. Bell's palsy is what you call facial palsy when no cause is found.
Therefore, treatment for facial palsy depends entirely on the underlying cause. Treatment for Bell's Palsy might include steroids (although the reference says it usually requires no medication, it can be helpful for recovery). Treatment for facial palsy caused by an infection, for example, would focus on addressing the infection itself.
