Can stress cause Bell's palsy?
Ask the doctor
Q. My 27-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy. Can this be brought on by stress?
A. While it's possible that stress might have triggered the Bell's palsy, I usually consider other possibilities first.
The reality is that in most cases of Bell's palsy, doctors can't be totally sure of the exact cause. Most experts believe that Bell's palsy occurs because of inflammation and swelling of the seventh cranial nerve. The seventh cranial nerve controls most facial muscles.
The inflammation of this nerve may be associated with a previous herpes virus infection. Usually this is the same herpes virus that causes cold sores. The inflammation can also be caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, similar to what happens in shingles (herpes zoster).
Diabetes, especially when blood sugar levels are not well controlled, can damage any nerve. When the seventh cranial nerve is affected by diabetes, it can look like Bell's palsy.
A less common cause of Bell's palsy is Lyme disease.
Image: © elenaleonova/Getty Images
About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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