Bell's palsy is a frightening condition where inflammation or damage of the facial nerve can result in semi or total paralysis of one side of the face. The damage can visibly affect the corner of the mouth and even the eyelid and this may result in the eye watering, in addition to this, there can often be uncontrollable drooling from the affected side of the mouth.

Why Bell's palsy occurs is still unknown and so when it happens, fear can be even more pronounced. Lyme disease and herpes simplex virus may be common triggers.

Those suffering with Bell's palsy will admit that the condition makes them feel self-conscious and depressed. Even those with a close knit family can find the stigma of the condition overwhelming and this can lead to immense feelings of isolation as typically people often shut themselves away.

Sadly, Bell's palsy affects on average one in seventy people and each year, there are about 4,000 people who contract the condition. The most common ages to be affected are between 15 and 45 and a poor immune system may put people at risk as will being diabetic. Pregnant women also need to be aware that they could be susceptible.

As the cause of Bell's palsy has not been established, it is difficult to know how to avoid contracting the condition and because it can strike suddenly within a 24 hour time period, the most important thing is to ensure that the immune system is functioning well in the hopes that this will be enough to stave off the condition.

Treatment can be steroids and the addition of painkillers although fortunately, most people do not need to have any medical treatment and about 80% of people do make a full recovery within about three months.

Ensuring a positive frame of mind can help with self-healing although that may be difficult so it is worth considering the following self-help suggestions:

Music

Playing music which the sufferer might respond to on an intuitive level can help to promote inner good feeling and peace and the music may help to take their mind off the negative aspects of the condition.

Meditation

Meditation can be useful as it can help to relieve any inner angst and let go of any anxieties regarding the condition. Meditation can be used for inner healing as well and this can provide some positive benefits.

Inner health

Take vitamin c and/ or Echinacea to help boost the immune system. Learning in advance which vitamins or minerals can help the immune system would be very useful.