Trending:
Angelina Jolie Says Divorce Stress Caused Her Bell's Palsy; Here's All About The Condition
Hollywood actor and filmmaker Angelina Jolie opened up on her stressful divorce from Brad Pitt, saying it caused her Bell’s palsy – a condition that temporarily weakens or paralyzes facial muscles. People with Bell’s palsy develop a droopy appearance on one — or sometimes both — sides of their face. The condition usually isn’t serious and often goes away in a few months without treatment. Read on to know more.
Updated Dec 7, 2023 , 11:17 AM IST
Jolie and Brad Pitt had announced their split in 2016 after bitter allegations over physical assault on her and their son on a private plane.
New Delhi: Angelina Jolie has opened up on her extremely stressful divorce from fellow actor Brad Pitt, saying it caused her to develop Bell’s palsy.
“My body reacts very strongly to stress. My blood sugar goes up and down. I suddenly had Bell’s palsy six months before my divorce,” the 48-year-old actor said in an interview with WSJ Magazine.
Bell’s palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that begins suddenly and worsens over 48 hours. According to experts, it results from damage to the 7th cranial facial nerve and causes extreme pain and discomfort.
Jolie and Pitt had announced their split in 2016 after bitter allegations over physical assault on her and their son on a private plane.
They have since been embroiled in a series of legal battles for custody of their six children.
How does Bell’s Palsy affect?
Bell’s palsy happens when there is inflammation and swelling in the facial nerve muscles. Experts say certain conditions like viral infections, and even stress can trigger the condition.
Bell’s palsy can affect anyone at any age but usually targets people between the ages of 15-60 years. The average age of onset of the condition is 40 years.
Even though it is not a serious condition, as doctors say most cases go away on their own with time, the symptoms of Bell’s palsy are very similar to those of serious medical conditions, like a stroke. And so, it is important to get yourself checked as soon as you notice muscle weakness in your face.
Signs and symptoms
A few signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy include:
- One-sided weakness or paralysis
- Difficulty in speaking
- Loss of muscle control and coordination
- Loss of senses like vision, hearing, smell, taste
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Neck stiffness
- Emotional instability and personality changes
- Seizures
- Memory loss
- Severe headaches
- Drooling
For many, it is extremely difficult to make full expressions with Bell’s palsy as it causes wrinkles on the forehead, causing it to feel numb or heavy.
What causes Bell’s palsy?
Experts say there are many situations, including a few other reasons, a few of which include:
- Herpes simplex 1
- Varicella-zoster virus which causes chickenpox and shingles
- COVID-19
- Stress
- Insomnia or lack of sleep
- Physical trauma
- Autoimmune conditions
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
- How is Bell’s palsy diagnosed?
Your doctor can diagnose Bell’s palsy based on your symptoms where they would ask about when your symptoms started and if they have changed. A physical exam will also be conducted to know which facial muscles you can move. How is Bell’s palsy treated?
Most cases of Bell’s palsy improve without treatment. Still, the doctor can recommend: Eye drops, including artificial tears to soothe dry, irritated eyes Oral corticosteroids that help decrease nerve swelling Antiviral medications that speed up recovery Electrical stimulation helps prevent facial muscle loss How can you prevent Bell’s palsy?
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to prevent Bell’s palsy. It’s linked to certain viral infections, but not everyone who has those viral infections develops Bell’s palsy.
End of Article
Subscribe to our daily Lifestyle Newsletter!
Videos
02:10
Raveena Tandon addresses CONTROVERSIAL statements regarding Khushi Kapoor and Agastya Nanda in The Archi
03:16
Bigg Boss 17 update: Ayesha Khan alleges Munawar Faruqui of dual commitments with Nazila Sitaishi & her
00:34
Caught on Camera: Heavy Rockslide Stops Traffic on Jammu Srinagar Highway
03:18
Amitabh Bachchan's Heartwarming Moment with Grandson Agastya Nanda in front of his Fans
02:27
iQOO 12 5G | Glimpse of Exciting Leaks! | Funtouch OS Android 14, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8Gen3 & More