Return to the Herbalism Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Bells Palsy
| | |
Posted by rosadee 7 Concord NC (My Page) on Thu, Oct 14, 04 at 19:49
| I have run across several people who have had bells palsy and still have residual side effects mainly in the eye. (The virus harbors in the eye their entire lives.) Some have permanent facial paralysis. Doctors are baffled by this virus. They think that it is the Herpes Simplex Virus (same virus that gives you the chicken pox) but they are not 100 percent sure. The face goes into paralysis supposedly because a nerve in the side of the face gets infected. The eye is frozen open and the face goes into paralysis. Steriods and an anti-viral medicine is recommended but is not very effective. The meds are given for only a short period of time (usually a month or shorter). Sometimes recovery takes a year or longer. Sometimes there is no recovery at all. Sometimes only partial recovery. Many physicians say that there is nothing that they can do. After the initial meds, they tell you to wait it out and hope. Given that the cure is very bleak, I think that some alternative and/or herbal suggestions are worth trying. Women especially have a hard time dealing with a portion of their face being distorted by this problem. What herb or herbs may be effective? How would you prepare the herb? Tea? Raw? etc. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Bells Palsy
| | |
| To add to this (and I can personally relate to the annoyance and worries associated with this syndrome), the great majority of people (85% or so) do recover completely in weeks to months. For some it takes even longer and there can be permanent problems. The steroids and antiviral meds (aimed at herpes simplex virus, the cold sore virus thought to cause most cases of Bell's*) might speed recovery in some patients, though this is controversial (and I don't think it made any difference for me). Longer-term problems that are serious quality of life issues (or complete paralysis that doesn't improve within several weeks) would be something to consult with a surgeon on to see if the benefits of surgery would outweigh the risks. I have yet to hear of an herbal remedy. Supplementation with B-complex vitamins (i.e. B12) is one suggestion for speeding nerve regrowth. *There are other causes of facial nerve paralysis in a small number of instances, such as Lyme disease or even more rarely, a tumor. |
RE: Bells Palsy
| | |
| Very interesting... I also have a friend with Bells, and he has suffered for many years. Having recurrances about once or twice a year, and still very noticable with lack of sleep. |
RE: Bells Palsy
| | |
| The lack of sleep is due to a feeling that the electrolites in the brain are constantly active not working normally. The virus often prevents one from getting into a deep sleep and keeps the brain active most of the night. Of course, this symptom is not found in every case but it is often found in people who have long term effects or reoccurrences. A virus is a terrible thing to the human race. We are a smart people but the bugs are winning!! And as this virus continues to affect more and more people, the number of patients with long term effects increase!! Some research needs to be done for Bells Palsy (I know of none of any significance.) |
RE: Bells Palsy
| | |
| Enter Bell's palsy as a search term at this site and you'll find well over a thousand research papers on the subject. |
RE: Bells Palsy
| | |
| Very Interesting information. It will take some time to read many of them. I did get 222 to come up and read 15. It is interesting that the nasal flu vaccine has been associated with the condition. Most everything I read seemed to be research papers about the treatment and condition. Suggestions were made as to a vaccination for herpes zoster and simplex one. But they are not sure what really causes the problem. And if you already have the virus it won't help that patient much. How do you kill the virus in the body, if it is the problem? Is there a research paper on that specific topic? I didn't see one. Thanks Eric for the website. I intend to use it for many other subjects. |
RE: Bells Palsy
| | |
| We have been applying different aromatics(essential oils) topically as well as inhalents with great success. With a little investigation you will find a possible solution. Try looking into lavendar and tea tree. Just a suggestion. |
Post a Follow-Up
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Herbalism Forum
|
|
|
