*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature P: Personality Disorders.

Bells Palsy

Bell's palsy is temporary weakness or lack of movement that usually affects 1 side of the face. Treatment with steroids can help and most people get better within 6 months.

Call 999 if:

somebody's face droops on 1 side (the mouth or eye may have drooped)
a person cannot lift up both arms and keep them there
a person has difficulty speaking (speech may be slurred or garbled)

These can be signs of a stroke, which is a medical emergency.

Symptoms of Bell's palsy

Symptoms of Bell's palsy include:

weakness on 1 side of your face, or not being able to move 1 side of your face - this usually happens over a few days
a drooping eyelid or corner of your mouth
drooling
a dry mouth
loss of taste
a dry or watering eye

You may also find it difficult to close the eye on the weak side of your face.

Rarely, you may not be able to move both sides of your face.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you have symptoms of Bell's palsy

It's important to get help as soon as possible because treatment for Bell's palsy is more effective if started early (within 72 hours).

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Treatment for Bell's palsy

Treatments for Bell's palsy include:

a 10-day course of steroid medicine, sometimes with antiviral medicine
eye drops and ointment to stop the affected eye drying out
surgical tape to keep the eye closed at bedtime

If you cannot close your eye, you may need treatment to prevent damage to your vision.

Recovering from Bell's palsy

Your Bell's palsy symptoms should get better within 6 months, but it can take longer for some people.

Go back to see a GP if your symptoms are not getting better after 3 weeks.

Some people can have permanent facial weakness and symptoms such as:

pain in their face, around the jaw and behind the ear
a constantly watering eye
difficulty eating and drinking
changes in their sense of taste
difficulty with loud sounds

Living with Bell's palsy can make you feel depressed, stressed or anxious. Speak to a GP if it's affecting your mental health.

You'll usually only get Bell's palsy once, but rarely it can come back, sometimes years later.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature P: Personality Disorders. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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