At Mir Neurology, our board-certified neurologists diagnose and treat Bell's palsy and other causes of facial weakness for patients across Western Maryland, the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and South-Central Pennsylvania.
Request an Appointment or call (301) 797-7600.
First, rule out a stroke. Sudden facial drooping can also be a sign of a stroke — a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if facial weakness comes with arm weakness, slurred speech, confusion, or trouble walking. When in doubt, treat sudden facial droop as an emergency and let medical professionals make the distinction.
What Is Bell's Palsy?
Bell's palsy is a sudden, usually temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. It happens when the facial nerve — which controls the muscles of facial expression — becomes inflamed or compressed, disrupting the signals to those muscles. The result is drooping and difficulty moving one side of the face.
Bell's palsy is the most common cause of sudden facial paralysis. While it can be alarming, the large majority of people recover, especially with prompt treatment.
Bell's Palsy Symptoms
Symptoms usually come on rapidly — over hours to a day or two — and affect one side of the face. They may include:
- Sudden drooping or weakness on one side of the face
- Difficulty closing one eye or blinking
- A crooked smile or difficulty making expressions
- Drooling
- Drooping at the corner of the mouth
- Loss of taste on part of the tongue
- Increased sensitivity to sound in one ear
- Pain around the jaw or behind the ear on the affected side
- Dryness of the eye or mouth
Bell's Palsy vs. Stroke: How to Tell the Difference
Because both can cause facial drooping, this is the most important distinction to understand.
Bell's Palsy
The whole side of the face is affected, including the forehead. You typically cannot wrinkle your forehead or fully close the eye on that side. Bell's palsy usually affects only the face.
Stroke
The forehead is usually spared, meaning you may still raise your eyebrow, and weakness often affects the lower face. Stroke usually comes with other symptoms like arm weakness, slurred speech, or confusion.
Because telling them apart can be difficult, any sudden facial droop should be treated as an emergency until a stroke is ruled out. A neurologist can then confirm Bell's palsy and start treatment.
What Causes Bell's Palsy?
The exact cause is not always clear, but Bell's palsy is believed to result from inflammation of the facial nerve, often triggered by a viral infection. Viruses associated with it include those that cause cold sores, shingles, and others.
Risk factors include:
- Recent viral illness
- Pregnancy, especially the third trimester and early postpartum
- Diabetes
- A family history of Bell's palsy
How Bell's Palsy Is Diagnosed
Bell's palsy is diagnosed mainly through examination, after ruling out other causes of facial weakness. Evaluation may include:
- A detailed history and neurological exam, assessing the pattern of facial weakness including the forehead and other symptoms
- Ruling out stroke and other causes, such as infections, Lyme disease, or nerve compression
- Testing when needed, such as blood tests, imaging, or nerve testing in certain cases
When nerve testing is appropriate, Mir Neurology can coordinate EMG and nerve conduction studies as part of the evaluation.
Bell's Palsy Treatment
Early treatment matters — starting treatment quickly improves the chances of a full recovery. Treatment may include:
- Corticosteroids — the main treatment, most effective when started within the first few days of symptoms, to reduce nerve inflammation
- Antiviral medication — sometimes added, depending on the suspected cause
- Eye protection — very important because the eye may not close fully; lubricating drops, ointment, and an eye patch protect against drying and injury
- Facial physical therapy — exercises to help recovery
- Follow-up care — to monitor recovery
Because steroids work best when started early, prompt evaluation is key — do not wait to see if facial weakness goes away on its own.
How Long Does Bell's Palsy Last?
The outlook for Bell's palsy is generally very good. Most people begin to improve within a few weeks and recover completely within three to six months. Mild cases often resolve faster.
A smaller number have lingering weakness, which is more likely when treatment is delayed — another reason early care is important. Our neurologists guide you through recovery and address any complications along the way.
When to See a Neurologist
See a neurologist promptly for any sudden facial weakness or drooping — after ruling out a stroke. Call 911 first if other stroke signs are present. Early evaluation allows treatment to begin when it is most effective.
At Mir Neurology, our board-certified neurologists diagnose and treat Bell's palsy and other causes of facial weakness, guiding you from diagnosis through recovery. With offices in Cumberland and Hagerstown, expert care is close to home.
Serving Western Maryland & the Tri-State Area
Mir Neurology provides Bell's palsy and facial weakness evaluation for patients across Western Maryland and nearby communities.
Maryland
Cumberland, Hagerstown, LaVale, Frostburg, Cresaptown, Hancock, Williamsport, Smithsburg, Boonsboro
West Virginia
Martinsburg, Keyser, Romney, Berkeley Springs, Paw Paw
Pennsylvania
Waynesboro, Greencastle, Chambersburg, Mercersburg
Cumberland office: 924 Seton Dr Suite C, Cumberland, MD 21502 — Mon–Sat, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Hagerstown office: 11110 Medical Campus Rd Unit 151, Hagerstown, MD 21742 — Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bell's palsy?
Bell's palsy is a sudden, usually temporary weakness or paralysis of one side of the face, caused by inflammation of the facial nerve. It is the most common cause of sudden facial paralysis, and most people recover.
How is Bell's palsy different from a stroke?
In Bell's palsy, the whole side of the face is affected, including the forehead, and there are usually no other symptoms. In a stroke, the forehead is typically spared and other symptoms like arm weakness or slurred speech may occur. Any sudden facial droop should be treated as an emergency until a stroke is ruled out.
What causes Bell's palsy?
It is thought to result from inflammation of the facial nerve, often triggered by a viral infection. Pregnancy and diabetes increase the risk.
How long does Bell's palsy last?
Most people start improving within a few weeks and fully recover within three to six months, especially with early treatment.
Can Bell's palsy be treated?
Yes. Steroids started early are the main treatment and improve recovery, along with eye protection and sometimes antiviral medication and facial therapy.
Sudden Facial Drooping or Weakness?
After ruling out a stroke, see a neurologist quickly — early treatment improves recovery. Mir Neurology treats Bell's palsy in Cumberland and Hagerstown.
