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Justin Bieber is suffering from face paralysis termed Ramsay hunt. The virus is attacking the pop star’s ear and facial nerves, and causing paralysis in his face.
What is Ramsay Hunt all about
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a nerve in the head near the inner ear.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome occurs when a shingles outbreak attacks facial nerves close to one of your ears. The disease is in the same family of viruses that causes chickenpox and monkeypox: the varicella-zoster virus.
It comes with notable symptoms discussed below
- Severe pain in the ear
- Painful rash on the eardrum, ear canal, earlobe, tongue, and roof of the mouth on the side with the affected nerve
- Hearing loss on one side
- Sensation of things spinning (vertigo)
- Weakness on one side of the face that causes difficulty closing one eye, eating (food falls out of the weak corner of the mouth), making expressions, and making fine movements of the face, as well as facial droop and paralysis on one side of the face
Bieber’s sickness Ramsay hunt syndrome can also cause a weakness, facial droop or paralysis on the side of the face that has been attacked by the virus.
That weakness can cause difficulty with closing one eye, making facial expressions and eating, as food can fall out of the side of the weakened mouth.
Treatment consists of steroids such as prednisone to reduce inflammation, and pain medication.
At times, anti-viral medicines that help with the herpes family, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, may be prescribed.
Bieber assured fans that he was “going to get better” and that he was doing “facial exercises to get my face back to normal”.
“It will go back to normal – it’s just time and we don’t know how much time, but it’s going to be OK,” he said in the video.
“Obviously, my body’s telling me I have got to slow down. I hope you guys understand and I’ll be using this time to just rest and relax and get back to 100 per cent.”
According to Mount Sinai hospital, full recovery is not certain. Some recover in a few months, though.
