Is Bell’s palsy a disease?

Quite often, Bell’s palsy sufferers refer to Bell’s palsy as a disease. We may hear: “I have this disease for almost 8 years” or “I am suffering from Bell’s palsy since I was 20”.

Ronald Complications and residuals after 7 years of long-standing Bell’s palsy
Ronald Complications and residuals after 7 years of long-standing Bell’s palsy, and his recovery results

Indeed, Bell’s palsy residuals and its complications can remain present for a very long time: for years or even a whole lifetime. They can have a dramatic effect on our quality of life. They may damage the self-esteem, jeopardize one’s social life and even force changing the career.

Note: This article is also available in a video format in our Bell’s Palsy Video Courses.

Bell’s palsy is a functional disorder

Bell’s palsy is NOT a disease. It is rather an acute functional disorder. Cancer, heart disease and diabetes – are all system diseases. They involve the whole body and develop slowly. Bell’s palsy involves only one single nerve – the facial nerve, and most of the time, happens suddenly. What we experience for many years after the onset is not the Bell’s palsy itself – it is only its complications and residuals.

Bell’s palsy is like a broken leg

One can compare Bell’s palsy with a broken leg – it happens suddenly and it needs time to heal. It can also heal wrongly if treated improperly, or if the body does not have the power to repair the damages.

You cannot have a broken leg for a lifetime. What you can experience is its consequences and possible complications. Same with Bell’s palsy: it is finished once the first facial movements begin to return. From that moment on, you are in a recovery period. If the recovery takes a long time, almost inevitably, the complications will develop. That is what you have after 1 or more years since your Bell’s palsy onset.

What complications and residuals may develop after Bell’s palsy?

The residuals and possible complications of Bell’s palsy are numerous:

The main question for every long-term Bell’s palsy sufferer remains: how to get rid of those complications for good, and whether it is at all possible? In short – yes, in most cases, it is possible. To answer what are the possibilities of recovery in your specific case, we need to take a look at your recovery history and current condition. We do that in our Online Consultation.

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Alex Pashov

Co-founder of Crystal Touch clinic and Bell's palsy expert.

Online Bell's Palsy Consultation

Speak online with our specialist, Alex Pashov, one-on-one.

The session’s purpose is to analyse your condition and provide you with detailed answers about your current state and the future prospects of recovery. During the video session, we also share hands-on recommendations that you can start doing on your own to alleviate some issues that you are facing.

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