Angelina Jolie has revealed that the stress of her impending divorce from Brad Pitt caused her to develop Bell's palsy. The Maleficent actor, 48, opened up about her health condition in an interview with WSJ Magazine published on 5 December.

Does Angelina still have Bell's palsy?

2016; nearly a year later, she revealed for the first time that she'd fully recovered from Bell's palsy, a condition that causes partial facial paralysis. “Sometimes women in families put themselves last... until it manifests itself in their own health,” she told Vanity Fair.

How is Bell's palsy triggered?

Experts think it's caused by swelling and irritation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face. Bell's palsy could be caused by a reaction that occurs after a viral infection. Symptoms usually start to improve within a few weeks, with complete recovery in about six months.

What is Bell's palsy caused by stress?

It is believed that stress can be a contributing factor to Bell's Palsy, as it can cause damage to the facial nerve and lead to facial weakness. The severity of the nerve damage depends on how long and how intense the stress has been.

What is the autoimmune cause of Bell's palsy?

In Bell's palsy and GBS, a viral infection or the reactivation of a latent virus may provoke an autoimmune reaction against peripheral nerve myelin components, leading to the demyelination of cranial nerves, especially the facial nerve.

Angelina Jolie opens up about struggles with Bell's palsy

Are there warning signs before Bell's palsy?

Many people feel discomfort behind the ear before weakness is noticed. The face feels stiff or pulled to one side and may look different. Other signs can include: Difficulty closing one eye.

What should you avoid if you have Bell's palsy?

Avoid stringy, chewy foods and those with pips, skins, shells, or husks, (e.g. raw tomatoes, lettuce, chewy meats, sweet corn, peas, baked beans). You may find rice and dry, crumbly foods difficult and they can cause coughing.

Who is most likely to get Bell's palsy?

Bell's palsy can strike anyone at any age. It occurs most often in pregnant women, and people who have diabetes, influenza, a cold, or another upper respiratory ailment. Bell's palsy affects men and woman equally. It is less common before age 15 or after age 60.

What helps Bell's palsy go away faster?

Corticosteroids. Doctors do not know the exact causes of Bell's palsy but believe inflammation plays a role. Corticosteroids may help treat Bell's palsy because of their anti-inflammatory effect. Research has found that people with Bell's palsy may recover more quickly and more completely when they take corticosteroids ...

What organ does Bell's palsy affect?

Sometimes, the facial weakness may last longer or be permanent. Bell's palsy results from a problem in cranial nerve VII, also called the facial nerve, which connects the brain to the muscles that control facial expression. Cranial nerve VII is also involved with taste and ear sensation.

What kind of trauma causes Bell's palsy?

Though viral infections are the most studied and most understood causes of Bell's Palsy, some researchers have found strong links to other potential causes. These causes include trauma to the face and head, bone fractures in the ear and face, injuries to the brain stem, and surgical wounds in the face.

Is Bell's palsy a mini stroke?

“Because Bell's palsy affects a single nerve, the facial nerve, its symptoms mimic those of a stroke.” A stroke is caused by a blood clot that stops blood flow to the brain or by a blood vessel that ruptures in the brain, while Bell's palsy is linked to facial nerve damage.

Can COVID cause Bell's palsy?

But, COVID-19 can also present with other central nervous system manifestations such as stroke, encephalo-myelitis, or peripheral nervous manifestations such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Bell's palsy.

What celebrities have Bell's palsy?

George Clooney, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. Norm Coleman, former United States Senator. Cassi Davis, American actress. Alexis Denisof, American actor.

What's the longest Bell's palsy can last?

It is caused by inflammation or damage to the facial nerve. It is usually temporary. Most people start to get better in 2 weeks and are fully recovered in 3 to 6 months. A few people don't recover fully and are left with some weakness or paralysis of the muscles on that side of their face.

Do people fully recover from Bells palsy?

While 70% of patients make a complete recovery from Bell's palsy, 30% of people do not fully recover and develop chronic facial asymmetry, facial tightness, synkinesis, and other symptoms of chronic Bell's palsy. Bell's palsy is caused by reactivation of the herpes virus within the facial nerve.

Does alcohol affect Bell's palsy?

Alcohol consumption was associated with decreased odds for Bell's palsy (adjusted OR [95% CI] for 2–3 times a month = 0.90 [0.82–0.99], adjusted OR [95% CI] for 1–2 times a week = 0.77 [0.69–0.85], adjusted OR [95% CI] for ≥3 times a week = 0.79 [0.71–0.88], P < 0.001; Table 2).

Is Bell's palsy painful?

Besides the weakness and drooping of your facial muscles, other symptoms of Bell's palsy may include: Drooling. Pain in your jaw or behind your ear. Headache.

Can you get Bell's palsy twice?

Recurrent Bell's palsy (RBP), either ipsilateral or contralateral to the side affected in the primary episode, is a relatively rare disease.

Are Ramsay Hunt and Bell's palsy the same thing?

It is now known that varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Compared with Bell's palsy (facial paralysis without rash), patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome often have more severe paralysis at onset and are less likely to recover completely.

How contagious is Bell's palsy?

Facial palsy is not contagious and cannot be passed onto other people. However, if the cause of a person's facial palsy was a virus (e.g. herpes, Ramsay Hunt syndrome), then this underlying illness may be contagious. If you see vesicles, avoid touching them and speak with your doctor.

What percentage of people fully recover from Bell's palsy?

The majority of people with Bell's palsy, around 90 per cent, will recover completely with time, although the paralysis may last for up to one year in severe cases.

Does a heating pad help Bell's palsy?

Be careful to keep your eyes moist, especially when you're working at a computer. Wearing an eye patch can help keep your eyes closed at night. Apply low heat, such as a gel pack or heating pad, to help relieve pain and swelling. Gently massage the area.

What are the first signs of recovery from Bell's palsy?

What are the signs of Bell's palsy recovery? Most people with Bell's palsy recover within a few weeks. An improvement in facial expressions or facial tingling may indicate recovery. However, if there is severe damage to the facial nerve, recovery may take longer.

What are the dangers of Bell's palsy?