Famous Politician Suddenly Suffering From Bell’s Palsy – But What Is It?

Peter Kormos is famous for his mouth.  The New Democrat M.P.P. uses it most effectively to fight for the rights of his constituents, so when he woke up one morning unable to use it, he was understandably worried.

“It was quite remarkable because I woke up 3, 3:30 in the morning for a glass of water and the water wouldn’t swallow, It just dribbled. I was amazed,” he recalled.  “I thought my goodness, I’ve had a stroke? So I touched my nose and I poked myself and would call my telephone number and I figure I haven’t had a stroke. I went to the bathroom, looked at myself in the mirror and saw this right side of my face paralyzed.”

While many of us would panic, Kormos went onto the internet and googled his symptoms.  He soon began to calm down.  It wasn’t a stroke, he thought, it was Bell’s palsy.  It turned out he was right.

Ball’s palsy is often mistaken for a stroke because many of the symptoms are similar, but it’s thankfully not as serious.   It can strike at any time, and although most symptoms will improve within a few weeks and a complete recovery is usually anticipated, some people have lingering effects, and others may be burdened with symptoms for life. 

The condition occurs when a nerve that controls the facial muscles becomes swollen or compressed.  It’s not certain, however, what triggers the problem.

A famous example of a sufferer who experienced permanent effects is former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who had Bell’s palsy as a child. 

But Kormos believes he’ll make a full recovery.

“My poor colleagues. I feel bad now because it looks far worse than it really is,” he said.  “Some of them thought I’d had a stroke. This is not a life-threatening condition. It’s an affliction, and it comes and then it goes and hopefully it won’t recur.”

Signs and symptoms of Bell’s palsy may include:

• Sudden onset of paralysis or weakness on one side of your face, making it difficult to smile or close your eye on the affected side
• Facial droop and difficulty with facial expressions
• Pain behind or in front of your ear on the affected side
• Sounds that seem louder on the affected side
• Pain, usually in the ear on the affected side
  Headache Loss of taste
• Changes in the amount of tears and saliva your body produces

Bell’s palsy occurs more often in people who:

• Are pregnant
• Have diabetes
• Have an upper respiratory infection, such as the flu or a cold

Notes from the Mayo Clinic.  For more click here.