Angelina Jolie is one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. She has inspired millions with her battle against breast cancer. Her story is known by all. But there is another medical condition that very few know about which Jolie suffered from.
Today we will discuss the medical condition that the ‘Maleficent’ star was diagnosed with. In an interview with Vanity Fair, actress Angelina Jolie opened up about her diagnosis of the rare neurological condition that she suffered from. Let’s take a closer look at Bell’s Palsy.
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What Is Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder of the facial nerve where there is paralysis of one half of the face. It is mainly idiopathic in cause but can also happen because of herpes zoster infection.
The disorder is thought to be due to swelling and inflammation of the nerve. This leads to the inability to close the mouth and eye at that side, drooling, headache, loss of taste, inability to smile and other symptoms may also be present.
These symptoms tend to improve within a few weeks and complete recovery occurs in about six months. In some extreme cases, there is irreversible damage to the facial nerve.
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How Is Bell’s Palsy Treated?
If Bell’s palsy is caused due to another underlying reason, then the underlying reason has to be treated first. Apart from taking drugs, there are other options for the treatment of Bell’s palsy. Physiotherapy is one of the leading treatments.
Keeping the affected eye closed and applying eye drops is a must. Apart from that, physiotherapy is done to treat the facial muscles. If the underlying reason is a viral infection, antiviral drugs are prescribed along with steroids. Stimulation of the facial nerve is very important.
Acupuncture, electrical stimulation and vitamin B12 consumption are very beneficial. Angelina Jolie also sought acupuncture which helped her a lot in recovering from Bell’s palsy. Antibiotics can also be taken to prevent secondary infections.
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