Angelina Jolie Reveals She Suffered From Bell’s Palsy, 4 Things To Know About The Disorder

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie recently revealed that she suffered from Bell’s Palsy, which paralyzed half of her face. She was diagnosed with it last year but has since fully recovered from.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Jolie shares her experience with the disease last year. This was in addition to her being hypertensive. She recognized that these health problems she had were a manifestation of women like her “putting themselves last” when it comes to their families. She also said that part of her treatment included acupuncture, which she says helped her recover.

She also spoke up about having a bad year last year, starting the summer of 2016 when she said: “things became difficult.” Jolie and husband Brad Pitt were having marital issues, leading to Jolie filing for divorce in September 2016.

4 Things To Know About Bell’s Palsy

1. Bell’s Palsy causes temporary facial paralysis but its cause is unknown.

According to the National Institutes of Health in the United States, Bell’s Palsy causes temporary facial paralysis usually on one side of the face. In Bell’s Palsy, a facial nerve called the 7th cranial nerve is swollen, damaged and therefore does not function well. This nerve controls facial muscles that make facial expressions such as smiling and frowning as well as eye blinking and closing.

It is not known what causes inflammation of the nerve, but scientists are looking at viral infections such as the common cold as a possible cause. It is also associated with other diseases such as flu, high blood pressure (which Jolie had), diabetes, and head or facial trauma.

2. Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy

Symptoms may vary depending on how mild or extreme the damage is. These would include twitching, weakness or paralysis of one side of the face. Drooping of the eyelid or the corner of the mouth may occur, as well as other symptoms such as drooling, excessive tearing in one eye, or the opposite, dryness of the eye or mouth.

3. It affects 40,000 Americans every year. 

A report by Health 24 shows several celebrities have been affected by the disorder. George Clooney’s half smile is said to be an “after-effect” of the condition. Sylvester Stallone also suffered from it and this has caused his slurred speech and crooked smile. Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan also had Bell’s Palsy during his youth which he has recovered fully from. Comedian Roseanne Barr said she had it when she was 3 years old, but it was gone two weeks after.

4. Treatment of Bell’s Palsy

Treatment of the disorder depends on the diagnosis of it. Mild cases according to the NIH usually do not require treatment. Extreme cases, however, may require taking medication that treats the cause of the nerve swelling. In any case, consulting a doctor is important to determine proper treatment.