Salamat Dok: Bell's Palsy

Linggo nang umaga sa Salamat Dok, parang sabi ko malakas ata ang earphone ko. Sumasakit ang tenga ko. Binalewala ko lang. During TV Patrol that night, parang may mali sa mata ko. The following day, ganun pa din parang pagod pa din ang mata. Tapos, meeting sa Salamat dok. During our meeting, sinabi na rin sa akin na magpatingin ka na sa doktor. Mahapdi tapos umiiyak. Nagpunta ako sa neurologist. Nag-test, itaas ang kilay.. .isa lang tumataas... pikit... reflexes. Sabi ng doctor, “You're correct, Bell's Palsy.”

- Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo

Mahigit dalawang linggo na nang tamaan ng Bell’s Palsy ang host ng Salamat Dok at all-around ABS-CBN Correspondent na si Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo. Naging usap-usapan ang kanyang kondisyon hindi lang ng mga manonood sa telebisyon kundi pati na rin sa mga social networking sites.

Mula nang pumutok ang nangyari sa ating host, mas naging curious at aware na rin ang marami sa kondisyong ito. Paano ba ito nakukuha? Nakakahawa ba ito? Totoo bang pwede itong makuha sa pagbabad sa hangin ng electric fan? Ano nga ba itong Bell’s Palsy?

Definition: Bell’s Palsy

Ang Bell’s Palsy ay paralysis o panghihina ng kalamnan ng isang bahagi ng mukha kaya ito tumatabingi. Partikular na tinatamaan at namamaga ang cranial nerve VII, na sumusuporta sa mga kalamnan ng mukha.

Ano ang facial nerve?

• Ugat sa mukha na nagmumula sa utak na dumadaan sa maliiit na butas sa bungo sa ilalim ng tainga
• Nagpapagalaw sa muscle sa mukha para magkaroon ng facial expressions facial nerves
• Nagpapasara sa talukap ng mata at nakatutulong sa panlasa

Sanhi

Hindi malinaw ang dahilan ng Bell’s Palsy. Pero paniwala ng maraming neurologist, dulot ito ng herpes simplex virus. Kapag tinamaan ang cranial nerve VII, dito na nagkaka-Bell’s palsy. May mga taong nag-aakalang dahil ito sa exposure sa lamig, sobrang pag-iisip sa gabi at kung anu-ano pa.

Ang sabi ni Dr. Emmanuel Eduardo, isang neurologist at Director ng International Institute for Neurosciences at St. Luke's Medical Center: “If you look at the literatures, there’s nothing that says kapag natapat sa cold or electric fan magkakaroon ng Bell’s palsy. The literatures cite studies abroad eh natural na maginaw na doon eh. Probably they don’t see the difference. Sa atin na mainit ang panahon, kapag itinutok sa mukha ang electric fan na puro ganun lang, may possibility na pwedeng mangyari yun. Ngayon kasi nakikita na ang cause na sa virus. Hindi pa rin maintindihan kung bakit nagkakaroon ng virus sa pagtapat sa electric fan. Meron ding ibig sabihin na hindi sila related.”

Signs and Symptoms

• Biglaang paralysis o panghihina ng kalamnan ng isang bahagi ng mukha
• Labis na pagluha o pagkatuyo ng mata
• Pananakit sa paligid ng panga o likod ng tainga
• Sensitibong pandinig
• Pagtabingi ng mukha
• Walang panlasa
• Hindi maisara ang mata
• Hindi maikunot ang noo
• Bumabagsak ang corner ng bibig
• Tumutulo ang laway

Is this something serious?

“Ang Bell’s Palsy ay benign condition. Hindi serious, gumagaling nang kusa kadalasan. Kailangan lang therapy. In most instances temporary, depende sa cause. Ang ibang case pwedeng permanent, kung aksidenteng na-fracture ang temporal bone ‘yong dinadaanan ng nerve,” paliwanag pa ni Dr. Eduardo.

Who are at risk

• Diabetics
• May mga infection tulad ng inflammatory process sa tenga
• May mga tumor
• Mga buntis

Pagkakaiba: Bell’s Palsy at Stroke

Maraming nagkakamali na ito ay stroke o transient ischemic attack. Sabi ng mga eksperto, magkaiba ang dalawang kondisyong ito.

“Sa Bell’s Palsy, kalahati ng mukha ang apektado. Sa stroke naman ang involved ay lower quadrant ng mukha. Naiikunot pa rin ang noo. Most importantly, very rare sa stroke na mukha lang ang affected. Pati face, arm at leg on the same side of the body at hindi maigalaw ang kahalating parte ng katawan,” dagdag ni Dr. Eduardo.

Complications

• Tuluyang pagkasira ng facial nerve
• Maling pagtubo ng nerve fibers
• Partial o ganap na pagkabulag ng hindi maipikit na mata dahil sa sobrang pagkatuyo o pagkagasgas ng cornea

Treatment

Therapy

Payo ni Dr. Eduardo: “Kailangan gawin agad ang therapy. As long as you keep that nerve working, there’s a big chance na maaga ang paggaling. Sa sugar text pa lang, 2 days na. By that time ang nerve mamatay na yan. I do the test but I advise the patient to do the therapy as soon as possible.

Medications and Supplement

• Steroids for the first 2 days
• Anti-viral at anti-inflammatory drugs
• Vitamin B complex especially B12 that will helps nourish the nerve.

Eye care

• Lagyan ng eye pad
• Patakan ng eye drops para hindi ito matuyo
• Maaaring lagyan ng tape ang talukap ng mata habang natutulog

Facial exercise

• Dahan-dahang masahihin ang muscles ng mukha pataas nang 10 minuto
• Uminom palagi ng tubig o kumain ng chewing gum

Acupuncture

Early Detection

“Integrity of the nerves should be preserved. Una, namamaga lang, pag binigyan ng medicines, napi- preserve ang integrity ng nerves. Kung delayed, mga 1-2 wks bago nakita, nada-damage ang nerve. Nagkakaroon ng loss of continuity. Napuputol ang nerve and it takes time bago tumubo ulit. Ang problem, nagkakaroon ng maling pagtubo or faulthy regeneration. Yung nerve na papunta sa eyelid, pumupunta sa corner ng mouth. Nagkakaroon ng abnormal movement. Pumapangit ang paggaling,” paliwanag ni Dr. Eduardo.

“Happy ako na I went through this phase. Sa dami ng pasyente na nakakahalubilo natin, iba rin yung maramdaman ko ang nararamdaman nila.” ~ Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo

Source from ABS-CBNNews.com

Latest News: Bernadette Sembrano trends the twitter world and Yahoo PH.due on her Bell's Palsy Diagnosed.

Naging trending topic sa twitter ang female broadcaster na si Bernadette Sembrano nang malamang pinagdadaanan nito ang karamdamang Bell's Palsy.

As of now, nasa trending pa rin si Ate B. Karamihan din sa tweets ay ang pagpapaabot ng kanilang dasal sa agarang paggaling ni Bernadette sa Bell's Palsy.

Most searchable din si Ate B sa pinakapopular na yahoo website ng Pilipinas kung saan nasa ika-siyam na pwesto sa trending topic sa Yahoo Philippines

Maraming nagiging aware sa pinagdadaanang pagsubok ni Ate B. At panalangin nila na sana malampasan nito ang kanyang karamdaman.

blog by: ksy

Latest from ABSCBN News: Bernadette Sembrano shares Bell's Palsy story

Bernadette Sembrano during her acupuncture treatment featured in Salamat Dok.

It was a hot Friday afternoon in Davao, and broadcast journalist Bernadette Sembrano was in an air-conditioned car.

Two days later, she had sensitive hearing, and had difficulty controlling the movement of her eyelids.

She was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy.

"Linggo ng umaga...parang sabi ko malakas ata 'yung earphones ko kasi sumasakit 'yung tenga ko edi binalewala ko lang baka masyado lang malakas. And then during 'TV Patrol' that night sabi ko parang may mali sa mata ko sa kaliwa, twitch nang twitch. Pinikit ko lang during commercial para ipahinga 'yung mata," Sembrano said in a taped interview aired on ABS-CBN's weekend health program "Salamat Dok," where she is a host.

She continued, "Sabi ko, 'Dok feeling ko I have Bell's Palsy.' Pag-iyak ko isang part ng mukha ko lang kumulubot...so sabi ko mukhang Bell's Palsy na nga."

Bell's Palsy is a form of facial paralysis named after Scottish surgeon, anatomist and neurologist Charles Bell. Dr. Emmanuel Eduardo, director of St Luke's International Institute for Neurosciences, said this is a benign condition.

"Hindi po ito serious and gumagaling sila nang kusa kadalasan. Kailangan lang i-therapy," Eduardo told Sembrano in an interview on "Salamat Dok."

It is usually caused by a virus or an infection, he said. Symptoms include watering or dryness in one eye, sensitive hearing in one ear, pain at the back of one ear or around the jaw and trouble tasting at the back of the tongue or the affected side.

Some of the celebrities who were previously diagnosed with Bell's Palsy include George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan and Sylvester Stallone.

Unlike stroke, Bell's Palsy only affects a person's face.

"Sa stroke hindi lang mukha kadalasan. Very rare ang stroke na mukha lang ang affected. Pati ang face, ang arm at leg ng same side. Minsan sa opposite side," Eduardo said.

Treatment

Right after her check-up, Sembrano underwent therapy and medical treatment.

She also took steroids and B-Complex vitamins to help nourish her facial nerves, and made extra effort to move her face by drinking from a straw more frequently and raising her eyebrows.

Asked about her personal experience with Bell's Palsy, Sembrano said, "Ang laki-laki ng mundo, alam mo yun? Ang dami-daming problema ng ibang tao at eto lang ang pinagdadaanan ko. Buti nga ito lang. And it could have been much worse, diba? Masarap sa pakiramdam ang napagdaanan ko dahil marami kang maiisip, marami kang realizations pero alam mong sandali lang na hindi naman pala magtatagal at salamat sa Diyos na hindi naman nagtagal."

She added, "Happy ako na I went through this phase kasi sa dami ng mga pasyenteng nakakahalubilo natin [sa 'Salamat Dok']. Iba rin talaga 'yung nararamdaman mo 'yung nararamdaman nila."

Sembrano also thanked her family, friends and supporters as she slowly recovers from facial paralysis.

"Maraming salamat sa mga nagpadala ng messages of concern sa text, sa Facebook, sa Twitter, sa ABS-CBN call center partikular na kay Ms. Merceditas Carandang ng San Pedro, Laguna. Sa lahat ng doktor, family, thank you very much," she said.

Eduardo commended Sembrano for her efforts, saying that therapy and facial exercises help Bell's Palsy patients recover faster.

"As long as you keep the nerve working, there's a big chance na maaga ang paggaling," he said.

Meanwhile, other ways to help treat Bell's Palsy include acupuncture and eating food items rich in copper such as whole grains, beans, nuts, potatoes, vegetables and dried fruits such as prunes.

Update from ABS-CBNNews.com

Special thanks to Pinoy News and TV Ratings for sharing the link.

Bernadette Sembrano tweets on Bell's Palsy Treatment (via ABS-CBN News)

Bernadette's last day of her news stint in TV Patrol. The sign of Bell's Palsy has showed on her face.

Bernadette Sembrano has Bell's Palsy

via abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines - Broadcast journalist Bernadette Sembrano disclosed that she has Bell's Palsy and is now undergoing therapy.

In her Twitter account @Bernadette_ABS, Sembrano revealed it first manifested on "TV Patrol," and during a live airing of her public affairs show "Salamat Dok," her ear became sensitive.

"@DoctorJas nagmanifest during patrol. Sdok naman, sensitive na ear ko. Signs na pala ng bell's. Went monday agad," she tweeted last July 6.

Sembrano described her symptoms: "uncomfortable right ear, then feeling ko my eye was twitching. Sometimes biglaan."

She also said she is recovering well as it was detected early.

"@rojan88 naagapan kaya very good recovery ako. Very early detection in 24 hrs. Still going through therapy and acupuncture," Sembrano tweeted on July 6.

Her treatment program includes physical therapy thrice a week; acupuncture, massage and hot compress every day; and facial exercises 3 to 5 times a day. She is also taking vitamin B and steroids.

Many of her Twitter followers asked how she contracted it.

Sembrano said it is not hereditary and anyone can get it.

She added that "Western medicine sometimes say viral. Eastern, lamig sa mukha."

Sembrano said rehabilitation medicine doctors have noticed that it is common among people who usually stand in front of the electric fan or air conditioner after having come from a warm place.

"I was in davao last week super hot. My hunch. Common dring cold," she tweeted.

Facial nerve

According to MayoClinic.com, a swollen or inflamed facial nerve controlling the muscles causes Bell's Palsy.

The symptoms include facial droop, one-sided smile, pain around the jaw or in and behind the ear, and an eye that resists closing.

Anyone can have it, but it usually affects people aged 15 to 60. It added that a virus, usually herpes simplex, commonly causes Bell's Palsy.

The website added that symptoms improve in a few weeks, and recovery usually takes 3 to 6 months.

As symptoms mimic those of a stroke, people should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Journalist Howie Severino also suffered from Bell's Palsy in 2008. He wrote in his blog that he got it the day after he dived at night.

Well-wishers

Many Twitter users wished Sembrano a fast recovery.

A netizen by the name of logbilogbi posted on Twitter: "@Bernadette_ABS Ms. Bernadette get well soon po. I miss your beautiful smile. :) God bless!"

A user named reneslazo tweeted: "I did not read tweet of Ms Bernadette Sembrano being sick one my favorite newscaster who works hard at helping indigent folks get well soon."

And zaraboijm wrote: "•• Awww! Bernadette Sembrano is suffering from Bell's palsy condition. Let's pray for her fast recovery. "

Sembrano is very much grateful for all the greetings and prayers for her recovery.

"Thank you sooooo much for all your greetings !!! I feel your love and concern :)," she posted.

"Hindi man makita sa labi ko, nakangiti po ang puso ko sa pag-aalala at pagmamahal ninyo. :D," Sembrano added.

Update from ABS-CBNNews.com

Bernadette Sembrano undergoes therapy against Bell's Palsy

Bernadette Sembrano

Yesterday on Salamat Dok, Bernadette Sembrano-Aguinaldo talked about Bell's Palsy. It is a form of facial paralysis that can cause inability to control facial muscles on the outside. It needs to undergo therapy to recover from this illness. That's why she needs to leave her work. After she undergoes surgery on her cyst in ovaries, she will be facing another challenge that will change to her life. Bernadette was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. 

According to her via Twitter, she will take a rest first as she will undergo her therapy session. With the Salamat Dok Team, she knew about this disease and as the reminder. The disease can heal itself and can be treated as fast as it could with the help of therapeutic procedures.The whole staff is also supported Ms. Sembrano for her speedy recovery.

"Therapy is very important. And important is early detection. Anything unusual should be brought to doc's attention. Thanks to sdok team", she said.

She discovered this illness while she is in Davao for Sagip Kapamilya. Due to its hot weather condition, the symptoms were manifested. And during to her live taping in Salamat Doc, her ears were irriated.

As of this moment, she is now better, but she will continue her therapy and acupuncture session in the hospital. The whole News and Current Affairs family is praying and supporting her fast recovery.

I hope she will be better now. We will pray for you, Ate B. and wishing you a 100 percent recovery. God will guide you all the time. Keep on fighting Ate B. :)

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