Bell’s Palsy Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. It can affect adults of any age, but is more common in young and middle‑aged adults. In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, most people with Bell’s palsy recover fully, especially when they get prompt medical evaluation and treatment.

Local residents can be seen quickly for Bell’s palsy symptoms at major Grand Rapids health systems, including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health, as well as urgent care and emergency departments.

What Is Bell’s Palsy?

Bell’s palsy occurs when the facial nerve (also called the 7th cranial nerve) becomes inflamed and swollen. This nerve:

  • Controls the muscles of facial expression
  • Helps control tear production and saliva
  • Carries some taste sensations from the tongue
  • Helps control a small muscle in the ear

The facial nerve travels through a very narrow bony canal in the skull. When it swells inside this tight space, the nerve can’t work properly, leading to facial weakness or paralysis on one side.

In Bell’s palsy, the onset is usually sudden—often developing over hours—and symptoms tend to peak within 48–72 hours.

Causes and Risk Factors

Why Does Bell’s Palsy Happen?

The exact cause of Bell’s palsy is not fully understood, but research suggests:

  • Viral infections (such as herpes simplex virus, which also causes cold sores) may trigger inflammation of the facial nerve.
  • Autoimmune responses (when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues) may also play a role.
  • Swelling in the facial nerve canal leads to compression and impaired nerve function.

Bell’s palsy is not contagious, and in most cases it is temporary.

Who Is at Higher Risk in West Michigan?

While Bell’s palsy can affect anyone, certain factors may increase risk:

  • Age 15–60
  • Recent viral illness (such as a cold or flu)
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Pregnancy (especially third trimester or shortly after delivery)
  • Autoimmune conditions

In Grand Rapids, where cold and flu season is significant during fall and winter, viral infections that may be associated with Bell’s palsy are more common. People with chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes—both prevalent in Michigan—should be especially alert to sudden facial weakness.

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy usually affects only one side of the face. Symptoms can range from mild weakness to complete paralysis.

Common Symptoms

  • Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face
  • Drooping of the mouth on the affected side
  • Inability to fully close one eye
  • Difficulty smiling, frowning, or making facial expressions
  • Changes in taste, especially on the front two‑thirds of the tongue
  • Pain or aching around the jaw or behind the ear on the affected side
  • Increased sensitivity to sound in one ear
  • Drooling or difficulty keeping food and liquids in the mouth
  • A feeling that the face is heavy or numb (true numbness is less common, but the weakness can feel like numbness)

Symptoms usually come on quickly and may be noticed first on waking up, looking in the mirror, or while eating or drinking.

When to Seek Emergency Care in Grand Rapids

Because facial paralysis can also be a sign of a stroke, it is critical to seek urgent medical care if you notice sudden weakness in your face—especially if it occurs with any of the following:

  • Trouble speaking or understanding speech
  • Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance
  • Vision changes

In Grand Rapids, go immediately to the nearest emergency department (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health Hospital) or call 911 if you suspect a stroke.

How Bell’s Palsy Is Diagnosed

There is no single test that “proves” Bell’s palsy. Instead, a healthcare provider—often a primary care doctor, urgent care clinician, or emergency physician—makes the diagnosis based on:

Clinical Examination

Your provider may ask you to:

  • Raise your eyebrows
  • Close your eyes tightly
  • Smile, show your teeth, or puff out your cheeks

With Bell’s palsy:

  • One eyebrow may not raise as high as the other
  • The affected eye may not close fully
  • One side of the mouth may droop or not move normally

Ruling Out Other Causes

Because other conditions can cause facial paralysis, your provider may order tests to exclude more serious problems:

  • CT scan or MRI to rule out stroke, tumors, or structural problems
  • Blood tests if infections (like Lyme disease) or autoimmune diseases are suspected
  • Nerve tests (electroneurography or electromyography) in more complex or severe cases

Other possible causes of facial paralysis include:

  • Stroke
  • Head or facial trauma
  • Brain or ear tumors
  • Lyme disease and other infections
  • Neurologic conditions

Ruling these out is an important part of safe care.

Treatment for Bell’s Palsy in Grand Rapids

Most people with Bell’s palsy will improve significantly within weeks and recover fully within 3–6 months. Early treatment can improve outcomes, especially if started within 72 hours of symptom onset.

Medications

  1. Corticosteroids (such as prednisone)

    • Help reduce swelling and inflammation of the facial nerve
    • Most effective when started as soon as possible (ideally within 3 days of symptom onset)

  2. Antiviral medications

    • Sometimes prescribed along with steroids if a viral cause is strongly suspected
    • Evidence is mixed, but some specialists may recommend them in certain cases

  3. Pain-relieving medications

    • Over‑the‑counter pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) or prescription medications may be used for ear or facial pain

Eye Protection Is Critical

If you cannot fully close your eye, the surface of the eye can dry out and become damaged. To protect the eye, your provider may recommend:

  • Artificial tears (lubricating eye drops) during the day
  • Lubricating eye ointment at night
  • An eye patch or using medical tape to gently close the eyelid while sleeping
  • Sunglasses or protective eyewear outdoors, especially in windy or cold Grand Rapids weather

Protecting the eye is one of the most important parts of Bell’s palsy care.

Physical Therapy and Home Care

As the nerve begins to recover, your provider or a physical therapist may recommend:

  • Gentle facial exercises to help maintain muscle tone and encourage proper nerve‑muscle connections
  • Massage of the facial muscles to improve circulation and reduce stiffness
  • Warm compresses for comfort

In Grand Rapids, your primary care provider can refer you to local physical therapists or rehabilitation specialists with experience in facial nerve disorders.

Possible Complications

Most Grand Rapids residents with Bell’s palsy recover completely. However, in about 10% of cases, some degree of weakness or other symptoms may remain.

Long-Term Effects May Include

  • Mild to moderate permanent facial weakness
  • Synkinesis – unintended movements when trying to move another part of the face
    • Example: the eye closing when you smile, or the mouth pulling when you blink
  • Muscle tightness or spasms in the face

These occur because, during nerve healing, some nerve fibers may reconnect to the “wrong” muscles, creating new, unintentional movement patterns.

Advanced Treatments

For people with persistent symptoms, specialists (such as neurologists, otolaryngologists/ENTs, or facial nerve specialists) may discuss:

  • Botox (botulinum toxin) injections
    • Can help reduce unwanted movements and muscle tightness due to synkinesis
  • Surgical options
    • Rarely used and typically reserved for severe or long‑standing cases that have not improved with other treatments

These services are often available through larger health systems in Grand Rapids, such as Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or through referral to regional facial nerve centers.

Living With and Recovering From Bell’s Palsy

Recovery can be gradual. Many people notice improvement within 2–3 weeks, with continued gains over several months.

Self-Care Tips for West Michigan Residents

  • Follow your medication plan exactly as prescribed.
  • Protect your eye from dry indoor air during the winter heating season and from cold, windy outdoor conditions.
  • Stay active and maintain a healthy diet, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
  • Avoid smoking and limit alcohol, as these can affect circulation and healing.
  • Attend follow‑up appointments with your primary care provider or specialist to monitor progress.

If your symptoms are not improving after a few weeks, or if they are getting worse, contact your doctor or clinic in Grand Rapids for re‑evaluation.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you or a family member develops sudden facial weakness or Bell’s palsy symptoms, consider these local options:

  • Primary Care & Family Medicine Clinics
    • Available through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • Urgent Care Centers
    • For same‑day evaluation when your primary care provider is unavailable
  • Emergency Departments
    • For sudden facial weakness with possible stroke symptoms

Public health and community resources:

  • Kent County Health Department – Information on local healthcare access, chronic disease management, and community clinics
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community health centers – Assistance for residents without a regular doctor or with limited insurance

Key Points About Bell’s Palsy

  • Bell’s palsy is caused by swelling of the facial nerve as it passes through a narrow opening in the skull.
  • Symptoms include sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, drooping of the mouth, inability to fully close one eye, changes in taste, and pain around the ear or jaw.
  • Early treatment with corticosteroids—ideally within 72 hours—may reduce the severity and speed recovery.
  • A variety of other conditions, including stroke, trauma, tumors, and infections, can cause facial paralysis, so it is essential to rule out these other causes.
  • Around 90% of people recover completely, though some may take several months; a small percentage may have ongoing weakness or involuntary facial movements.
  • In Grand Rapids, residents have access to high‑quality evaluation and treatment through major health systems and local public health resources.

If you notice sudden facial weakness or drooping, seek medical care right away—prompt evaluation is the safest approach and gives you the best chance for a full recovery.