Agencies-Gaza post
What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome that affects Justin Bieber?
Pop sensation Justin Bieber on Friday announced that a viral disease has temporarily paralyzed one side of his face. Talking about the cause behind the current revocations of his shows, Bieber said he has created a rare condition called the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
In an Instagram video, Bieber told about the condition that has fully paralyzed the right side of his face. “As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face… So there’s full paralysis on this side of my face,” he said.
What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is a neurological disease in which a virus – Varicella Zoster causes inflammation of the nerves involved in facial exercises. When the nerves get inflamed, they lose their capacity to function, leading to temporary facial palsy or paralysis. What it means is that facial muscles in the infected person cannot receive the necessary signals to function properly.
“There are 12 cranial nerves in the body. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is a viral infection impacting the 7th cranial nerve that is affected by facial movements. The inflammation caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus makes the nerve ineffective,” says Dr (Col.) JD Mukherji, Principal Director and Head of Neurology, Max Healthcare at Saket, Delhi.
What are the symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?
The symptoms have painful, red rash and blisters in and around the ear and facial paralysis on the same side. Patients also report hearing loss in the ear that has been affected apart from Tinnitus or ringing sounds. Inability to close the eye causes dryness.
“You can get a rash on the eardrum, the ear canal, and the earlobe. Rashes can also appear inside the mouth, on the tongue. There is hearing loss, vertigo, or a spinning sensation. It causes weakness in one side of the face and causes difficulty in closing one eye and eating as food falls off from the affected side. There is drooping of the face,” said Dr. Mukherji.
What is the virus that causes Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?
The Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, this virus belongs to the herpesvirus group and can stay in the body as a latent infection. The virus can stay dormant in a person’s body and can be reawakened to attack the nerves. According to doctors, VZV can get reactivated due to the weakening of the immune system. Stress is also considered a trigger, according to some studies, as it pains the immune system. Some reports also suggest that T-cell dysfunction caused by coronavirus infection can reactivate VZV.
How does the disease progress?
Originally, the patient may complain of facial deficiency and little difficulty in closing one eye. The disease fully displays in a matter of two to three days. Prompt treatment after diagnosis can increase the recovery and decrease the possibilities of severe nerve damage.
