Bell's palsy is the most common type of facial paralysis. It may be
related to a virus such as
herpes simplex or
herpes zoster. It seems to be more likely to occur in
people who have
diabetes, and may be more likely in pregnant women.
Bell's palsy affects:
- About 25 people out of 100,000.1
That means about 75,000 Americans are affected each year.
- Equal
numbers of men and women.2
- People between
the ages of 15 and 40 years in most cases, although it can occur at any
age.3
Citations
Solomon D (2003). Bell's palsy and other VII lesions.
In RW Evans, ed., Saunders Manual of Neurologic Practice, chap. 6, pp. 348-352. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Ropper AH, Brown RH (2005). Diseases of the cranial
nerves. In Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology,
8th ed., pp. 1178-1190. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Holland J (2006). Bell's palsy, search date February
2006. Online version of Clinical Evidence
(15).
Solomon D (2003). Bell's palsy and other VII lesions.
In RW Evans, ed., Saunders Manual of Neurologic Practice, chap. 6, pp. 348-352. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Ropper AH, Brown RH (2005). Diseases of the cranial
nerves. In Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology,
8th ed., pp. 1178-1190. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Holland J (2006). Bell's palsy, search date February
2006. Online version of Clinical Evidence
(15).
