Bell's palsy diagnosis

Bell's palsy is a sudden condition that can cause one side of the face to feel weak or paralyzed. Several groups of causes can lead the Bell's palsy, and the treatments depend on them. To determine if someone has Bell's palsy, doctors make a clinical evaluation that includes reviewing the patient's health history and medical records. They will also do a check-up, focusing on the face to see any weakness, a classic sign of Bell's palsy. In addition, lab tests help get more information about the patient's overall health and the problems linked to palsy, like an infection. The patient also sees a neurologist who performs a neurological examination. It involves various tests to check how well the patient's nervous system works. The doctors also conduct a test called electromyography (EMG). It checks the electrical activity in the muscles and nerves and can help spot any damage to them. Sometimes, the doctor might suggest an MRI scan that can take detailed brain pictures. It can help the doctor rule out other causes of the symptoms, like a stroke or a tumor. After all these tests, the physicians can determine what's causing the symptoms and devise a plan to treat them.