September 25, 2008

Ian Got Bell’s Palsy Disease

In the beginning of this week my daughter Natalie told me that she saw something wrong on Ian’s face, especially when he was smiling.
She was right, we saw his smiling was not proportional, I mean not in a straight line but get aslant to the left. My hubby instantly told Ian to do some movement with his face muscles, like blinking both of his eyes, pretend to blow hard, etc….then yes he found something wrong with Ian’s face muscles. My hubby worried if Ian got Bell’s Palsy.

Then we took him to the hospital to see a Pediatrician. After he took several test then positively Ian diagnosed get Bell’s palsy diseases. We both very sad at that moment. I worried if that condition would stay forever like that.

Here I’ve got from Wikipedia if you want to know more about this disease.
Bell's Palsy is a paralysis of the facial nerve resulting in inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. However, if no specific cause can be identified, the condition is known as Bell's Palsy. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve), and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis.
Some viruses are thought to establish a persistent (or latent) infection without symptoms, e.g. the Zoster virus of the face and Epstein-Barr viruses, both of the herpes family. Reactivation of an existing (dormant) viral infection has been suggested as cause behind the acute Bell's palsy. Studies suggest that this new activation could be preceded by trauma, environmental factors, and metabolic or emotional disorders, thus suggesting that stress - emotional stress, environmental stress (e.g. cold), physical stress (e.g. trauma) - in short, a host of different conditions, may trigger reactivation.

In Ian case the doctor said he propably got this desease because of the environmental stress (cold from the wind). Everyday Ian go to school with my hubby by motorcycle (we had covered him with thick jacket, a mask for his nose and mouth, safety helmet, always wear trousers, but maybe our fault.. doesn't covered his neck with shawl!) and I pick him up at noon by car. We just think the practicality in this case. So I think there would be no motorcycle again for him :(

Ian should take some medicine and go through a physiotherapy treatment everyday for 6days in a row. Today is the third day. The paramedics would give his left face an infra red light for couple of minutes and followed by gentle massage on his face muscle. So far we see the progress on his condition. We really hope he would be healthy again and give us his lovely smile. We love you Ian….

4 comments:

ellen said...

Oh, Henny..I am sorry about this. I have had several friends who got Bells Palsy and it did eventually clear up. I know he will get better very soon, especially at his young age.
The picture you asked about was taken with my little digital camera.
thanks for the visit. Take care.

Xtina said...

aduuh aku sedih bacanya....semoga Ian bisa cepet pulih kembali ya Hen!..I'll pray for him!!

Mom Knows Everything said...

I am so sorry my friend! I will pray that he gets better and you will see his beautiful smile again soon. Hugs, Tammy

Anonymous said...

Ellen, Xtna & Tammy,
thank you for your nice supporting comments and prays. I really appreciated.
Ellen, you're right, he's now getting better because of his young age.We all glad for his health progress.