Bell's palsy

noun

: paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion on one side of the face

Examples of Bell's palsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Pregnancy raises the prevalence of Bell's palsy by two to four fold, Sarah Cross, MD, Yale Medicine OBGYN and maternal fetal medicine specialist, told USA TODAY Thursday in a statement. Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 13 July 2023 There are different treatment options for Bell's palsy, including medications to help recover facial nerve function and relieve pain. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 13 July 2023 If a nerve in the face is affected, Bell's palsy might result. Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 28 May 2023 The stress Bryan endured throughout her pregnancy led to Bell's palsy, causing paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 5 May 2023 Sheila Ehrich, 71, also of Lakeville, said her doctor advised her to take the Moderna vaccine because of slight differences in clinical data for a complication called Bell's palsy, which Ehrich experienced after a past vaccine during a stressful time. Joe Carlson, Star Tribune, 14 Mar. 2021 Clooney has spoken about his teenage bout with Bell's palsy before, including on a 2006 segment of Larry King Live. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2023 The Food and Drug Administration has considered a possible tie between vaccines and Bell's palsy, since such cases occurred during clinical trials. Devon Link, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2021 Clay's reps confirmed to TMZ on Friday that a doctor diagnosed him with Bell's palsy after the star woke up a few weeks ago with a drooping face. Julie Mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, 6 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Bell's palsy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Sir Charles Bell †1842 Scottish anatomist

First Known Use

circa 1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Bell's palsy was circa 1845

Dictionary Entries Near Bell's palsy

Cite this Entry

“Bell's palsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bell%27s%20palsy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

Bell's palsy

noun
: paralysis of the facial nerve producing distortion on one side of the face
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