Difference Between Bell’s Palsy and Stroke

By: | Updated: Jul-25, 2024
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The word “Bell’s Palsy” is not a disease but rather a symptom of an injury. It is an inflammation of the nerve that connects the eye to the ear. In fact, this inflammation is one of the symptoms of stroke. Bell’s palsy occurs in people who have had a stroke.

Summary Table

Bell’s Palsy Stroke
Bell’s Palsy is an acute inflammation of the facial nerve.  Stroke is a lack of blood supply to the brain.
Bell’s Palsy affects the face, neck and arms and causes partial paralysis of facial muscles.

Stroke affects the entire body, especially the brain and causes paralysis of all muscles.

Bell’s Palsy occurs due to infection in the facial nerve. Stroke occurs due to the blood clot in the brain.

Difference Between Bell’s Palsy and Stroke

The other symptoms are numbness, paralysis and sometimes double vision. There are different types of strokes, but this one is known as the anterior circulation stroke. The term “anterior” means in front of or at the front part of something and “circulation” means blood flow or circulation. In this case, it refers to blood flow from the brain to the eye and from there to other parts of the body through arteries in the neck.

People who have had a stroke can also have different types of strokes depending on where they were when they had their stroke: The most common type is called a “coronary artery” type because it affects arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle and major arteries that supply blood to all parts of your body, including your brain and eyes. Another type occurs when blood flow is affected in arteries outside your heart, such as the carotid arteries in your neck. These arteries supply blood to the brain and also help keep blood pressure normal.

Let’s take a look more at the difference between Bell’s palsy and stroke.

What is Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s Palsy is a disorder of the facial nerve that occurs due to compression of the facial nerve on one side of the face. The facial nerve runs from the brainstem to the face. This results in a facial paralysis, which causes weakness of muscles on one side of the face.

What is Stroke?

Stroke is a condition in which the blood supply to the brain is blocked.

This results in a brain injury.

Stroke is a sudden and severe event that affects the brain’s blood supply. The blood supply to the brain is important for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

The Similarities Between Bell’s Palsy and Stroke

Both Bell’s Palsy and Stroke can affect the face, neck, and upper body. Both can be caused by blood clots. Both can be caused by an arterial narrowing. Both are progressive conditions that worsen over time. Both are reversible conditions that respond to medical treatment.

Bell’s Palsy VS Stroke

The differences between Bell’s Palsy and Stroke are as follows:

The medical conditions

Bell’s Palsy is an acute inflammation of the facial nerve. Stroke is a lack of blood supply to the brain.

The causes

Bell’s Palsy occurs due to infection in the facial nerve. Stroke occurs due to the blood clot in the brain.

The symptoms

Bell’s Palsy affects the face, neck and arms and causes partial paralysis of facial muscles. Stroke affects the entire body, especially the brain and causes paralysis of all muscles.

The treatment

Bell’s Palsy can be treated by antibiotic injection and physiotherapy. Stroke can be treated by physiotherapy, anti-coagulants, corticosteroids and anti-seizure drugs.

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