Migraine and Bell’s Palsy
A study published last month in the journal Neurology suggests that people with migraine may be at higher risk to develop Bell’s Palsy.
Bell’s Palsy is a problem with the facial nerve which leads to temporary paralysis/weakness in the muscles of the face. The symptoms vary quite a bit, from mild weakness to total paralysis, and may include a drooping of the eyelid, drooling, ringing in the ears, and even problems tasting.
There is no agreement on what exactly causes Bell’s Palsy. It is most often connected with the common cold sore virus. But other types of infections, high blood pressure, and even trauma to the head, seem to be related in some cases.
So the authors of this study would like to add migraine to the list.
Bell’s Palsy is rare and temporary, with most patients fully recovered in less than a year. Less than 1% of those in the study developed Bell’s Palsy between 2005 and 2009. The point of interest is that almost 2/3 of those people also had migraine.
This study simply suggests that there may be an underlying cause or trigger for both diseases.
At the same time, we need to remember that some of these symptoms may actually be symptoms of migraine and not Bell’s Palsy at all. If you’re experiencing new weakness/paralysis, be sure to see a doctor right away, and a specialist as soon as possible, who can ask the right questions and get you the right treatment. Bell’s Palsy often requires no treatment at all, but the paralysis could be a sign of other disorders.
For more information:
- Bell’s palsy (Mayo Clinic)
- Increased risk of Bell palsy in patients with migraine (study abstract from Neurology)
- Migraine May Double Risk for Facial Paralysis (press release)
8 January 2015 @ 8:58 pm
OMG! That is why I had it. All of a sudden my face froze for about two weeks. I initally thought I was having a stroke and it scared the heck out of me. Doctor just shrugged and said it could last forever but fortunately it didn’t. Now that I’ve read this article……but of course it is neurological!
28 January 2015 @ 10:14 pm
Bell’s palsy affects around 40,000 Americans every year, with onset most common between the ages of 15 and 60 years. I never knew migraine and bell’s palsy are related.
3 April 2019 @ 2:28 pm
I am 54, I have had migraines since I was 14. I developed bels palsey at 38, on my right side of face. I continued to have recurrent spells average 4 to 6 times a year of the numbness and paralysis. Each time became more and more painful. I was kicked by a horse 5 yrs ago on my left side of face. fracturing it in 5 places in the face and jaw. Since then the palsy episode have moved to the left side and have even had shingles on my left side of my face. It has definitely moved into trigeminal pain daily with horrible episodes often triggered by illness or stress. I took large doses of prednisone for a long time but that was creating other side effects. Is there any other relief. I have even gone to using RSO and Kush cream on my face to try to stop the pain.