What exactly is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome,
the condition Justin Bieber recently announced he has? Can it really cause
permanent hearing loss? And how can it be treated? Keep watching to learn more.
Pop star Justin Bieber recently shared on Instagram that he has been diagnosed with
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus,
the same virus that causes chickenpox. According to the Mayo Clinic,
the condition results in a rash and blisters, as well as facial paralysis.
After postponing two recent concert dates,
the singer explained the recent health issues he has been facing.
"As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can't smile on this side of my face."
The singer said he was experiencing "full paralysis" on half of his face. He asked
fans to be patient with him while shows are postponed as he recovers. Bieber noted that he
is currently doing facial exercises as part of his treatment plan, as well as getting plenty of rest.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome results from an infection of the facial nerve.
According to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,
in addition to facial paralysis, the condition can cause pain and blistering around the ear,
and in some cases, hearing loss or vertigo. The condition is quite rare; Rare Diseases
reports that about 5 in every 100,000 people develop it each year in the United States.
It was discovered by and named after James Ramsay Hunt, who first described the condition in 1907.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is often compared to Bell's palsy, which also involves paralysis of the
facial nerve. However, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Bell's palsy does not usually result in
the same level of pain and blistering as Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. It is unclear what causes Bell's
palsy, while Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is known to be caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
After someone has chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cells.
While it possibly may never become active again, in some cases, the virus can reactivate years
later and cause a shingles infection. According to the Mayo Clinic, Ramsay
Hunt Syndrome occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of the ears,
which can result in paralysis and hearing loss.
Everyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
It is unclear why it affects some people and not others.
"Technically, it could happen to anyone. Like I said, children and adults can get this.
It's caused by a very common virus even though it's not a very common condition."
That said, the condition is most common in people over the age of 50 and rarely affects children.
Ramsay Hunt itself is not contagious, but the varicella-zoster virus can cause chickenpox in
people who have not been vaccinated against the condition or have not had chickenpox previously.
In addition to a rash that can cause painful blisters,
facial paralysis, tingling, numbing, hearing loss, vertigo, and ear pain,
another symptom one may experience with Ramsay Hunt is difficulty speaking or swallowing.
These symptoms can appear suddenly and are often more severe on one side of the face than the
other. In some cases, people may only experience a mild form of the condition with few symptoms.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible,
as early treatment can improve the chance of a full recovery.
If Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is left untreated, it can cause permanent paralysis and hearing loss.
Medical News Today notes that Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is usually treated with a course of antiviral
medication, which can help shorten the duration of the condition and reduce the severity of symptoms.
In some cases, a doctor may also prescribe steroids to help reduce inflammation.
If a patient experiences pain, their doctor may recommend
over-the-counter pain medication or a topical cream to help relieve symptoms.
If you experience paralysis or weakness in your face, there are a few things you can do to help
improve facial muscle function. Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal recommends that one option
is to perform facial exercises, which can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your face.
You can also try using an eye patch or sunglasses to protect your eye from
injury if you're unable to close it fully. With early detection and the right treatment plan,
many people with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome make a full recovery.
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