Bell’s palsy
Bell’s palsy is a unilateral facial paralysis, characterizedby sudden onset and pain, usually behind the ear. The cause is unknown, but the symptoms are thought to be due to local swelling and a compression of the facial nerve. Patients should be reassured that the paralysis is unrelated to stroke and spontaneous recovery usually occurs after some weeks. Corticosteroids are effective if the condition is diagnosed early, and prednisolone is given initially in doses of 60-80 mg daily, decreasing by 10 mg every 2 days for about a week. As the palsy may prevent closure of the affected eye, local treatment with artificial tears or liquid paraffin may be required.
Approved names    Brand names
hypromellose    Tears Naturelle
(artificial tears)    Isopto Alkaline & Plain
prednisolone Deltacortril, Deltastab, Precortisyl, Prednesol
liquid paraffin
Lacri-Lube
polyvinyl alcohol
Hypotears

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,