AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF BELL’S PALSY IN CHILDREN: A CLINICAL CASE STUDY

Bell’s palsy is the most common, acute unilateral lower motor neuron nerve palsy and is characterized by sudden onset of weakness in the facial muscles to one side of the face controlled by the facial nerve due to uncertain post infective autoimmune disease. Incidence is approximately 40-75% and the cause is obscure. The therapeutic approach in children often involves a multidisciplinary team comprehending pediatrician, neurologist and physiotherapists. A 4 years old male child with chief complaints of deviation of mouth to left side for one day while attempt to speak and smile and partially opened right eye while sleeping since few hours associated with excessive lacrimation of right eye without any cause. Then the case has been diagnosed as Bell’s palsy based on clinical examination and internal medication along with Nasya procedure is administered there by child improved with this experience same treatment is being practiced in few more cases. In Ayurveda present condition can be compared with Ardita vata under one of Ashta mahagada i.e. under Vata vyadhi. Ardita vata is the broad term which includes all the kinds of facial palsies including Bell’s palsy. There is no exclusive treatment for Bell’s palsy but treatment mentioned for Ardita vata can be adopted like abhyanga, pata sweda and Nasya along with few internal medicines and considering these concepts treatment protocol has been made and executing in hospital of SJG Ayurvedic medical college and getting satisfactory treatment out come within 1-2 weeks without steroidal, antiviral and physiotherapy.