Bell’s palsy is a condition that affects the facial nerve, which is one of the cranial (head) nerves. The facial nerve controls muscles of the face, and so when it is affected by Bell’s palsy, the muscles on the affected side of the face droop, giving the face a characteristic lopsided appearance.
The condition has a sudden onset, with maximum paralysis achieved between two and five days. Often, there are no warning signs and symptoms prior to the onset of paralysis, however, in some cases, people may note symptoms such as a pain behind or around the ear, impaired taste and or distortion of sound. In approximately 90% of cases bell’s palsy resolves over time (Postgraduate Medicine online 2003; Better Health Channel 2006; Roper and Brown 2005).
Symptoms and characteristics:
Following the onset of paralysis, the affected face muscles will become hypotonic, meaning floppy and difficult to control. A person with Bell’s palsy will find it difficult to eat, chew and speak, in addition they may find it difficult to close the eye on the affected side with tear production affected.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with bell’s palsy to manage their condition. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, such as:
- provision of an eye patch or isolation in work environments with high levels of airborne contaminants
- use of alternative means of communication if speech is difficult such as provision of equipment for writing rather than speaking messages, or use of email or text messaging rather than talking on the phone.
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References:
Better Health Channel 2006, Bells' palsy, Victorian Government, Melbourne, viewed 7 February 2007, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcArticles.nsf/pages/Bell's_palsy?OpenDocument
Postgraduate Medicine online 2003, vol. 114, no. 2, Bell's palsy (patient notes), Vendome Group, New York, viewed 7 February 2007, http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/08_03/pn_palsy.htm
Roper, A & Brown, R 2005, Adams and Victor’s Principles of Neurology, 8th edition, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Columbus, viewed 7 February 2007, http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=54