Bristol Palin Speaks on Face Paralysis: ‘I Woke Up with a Little Weird Sensation in My Face’
The Reality TV Star Opens Up About Her Scary Experience
Bristol Palin, the daughter of 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, is getting candid on a scary experience. The reality TV star and “Teen Mom OG” alum shared that she is suffering from paralysis on one side of her face, detailing how the condition began.
The Unexpected Start
Bristol, 34, shared that she woke up nine days ago with a little weird sensation in her face. “My mouth was pulling this way and it just felt, like, a little off. So I went and looked in the mirror — I’m like, ‘Wow, this is looking a little weird,'” she said in a video posted on her Instagram Stories on Jan. 29.
A Rapidly Developing Condition
According to Bristol, the left side of her face went “numb” within hours of noticing the discomfort and she “couldn’t really blink” her left eye. She then went to see a doctor, who performed a CT scan and placed her on steroids, as well as other medications to determine what caused the ailment.
A Diagnosis and Treatment
As Bristol explained, “Nothing came back in all the results. They think it’s just a case of Bell’s Palsy, maybe brought on by stress or lack of sleep. I’m not really sure.” Bell’s Palsy is a condition causing sudden, short-term weakness in the muscles on one side of a person’s face, which creates a drooping appearance, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Coping with the Condition
Bristol has been documenting her day-to-day changes on Instagram, contorting her face in each clip to show the extent of her facial stiffness. While she described the experience as “wild,” she added that she found a silver lining in the ordeal.
A Newfound Appreciation
“The next time that I look in the mirror and I pick myself apart,” she said, “I’m gonna remember this and I’m gonna just be so thankful for a normal functioning face.” Bristol shared several videos documenting her progress, showing improvement and regaining some sensation in her face.
Conclusion
Bristol’s openness about her experience aims to raise awareness about Bell’s Palsy and the importance of self-care and stress management. Her story serves as a reminder to appreciate the small things and to never take our health for granted.
FAQs
Q: What is Bell’s Palsy?
A: Bell’s Palsy is a condition causing sudden, short-term weakness in the muscles on one side of a person’s face, which creates a drooping appearance.
Q: What causes Bell’s Palsy?
A: The exact cause of Bell’s Palsy is unknown, but it is thought to be brought on by stress, lack of sleep, or other factors.
Q: How is Bell’s Palsy treated?
A: Bell’s Palsy is typically treated with steroids and other medications to reduce swelling and relieve symptoms.
