Home Health Center Bell's Palsy   Bell's Palsy - Diagnosis

Diagnosis for Bell's Palsy


The diagnosis of Bell's palsy needs to be conducted by a certified neurologist and you can ask your family doctor to refer you to one. There are no specific laboratory tests for Bell's palsy recommended by doctors. Instead, for a diagnosis of Bell’s palsy, the neurologist may conduct a physical exam, during which you will be asked to:

  • Close your eyes
  • Frown
  • Smile or show all your teeth
  • Lift your eyebrows
  • Perform other activities that cause you to move your facial muscles
Apart from the physical exam, the doctor will also ask you several questions about the symptoms you have been experiencing. Some of the questions put forth during a diagnosis of Bell's palsy include:

  1. When did the symptoms first occur?
  2. Have you ever experienced such symptoms before?
  3. How severe are the symptoms?
  4. Is there anything that seems to improve or worsen the symptoms?
Since you may not be able to speak properly, it is a good idea for you to take a family member or a friend along. Also make it a point to inform your examiner about any medication you have been taking.  

There are other health problems that could also lead to facial paralysis, like Lyme's disease, infections, tumors and strokes. The symptoms for these problems are quite similar to Bell's palsy. Therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, there are a few tests that your examiner may ask you to go through, such as:

  • An X-ray
  • A Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI)
  • A Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
  • Electromyography (EMG)
While these are not specific tests for Bell's palsy, they can help determine the precise cause and severity of the nerve damage. 
Signs & Symptoms
Prognosis
Frequently asked questions