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A few days ago, Canadian singer Justin Bieber revealed that he is struggling with Ramsay Hunt syndrome – a rare complication of ear herpes zoster. His confession prompted other patients to share their medical history. Among them is Nicoya Rescorla from Cornwall, England, who has been struggling with this syndrome for nearly two years.
- Nicoya Rescorla fell ill in October 2020. The first symptoms that heralded her illness were: neck pain, dizziness and imbalance. Along with the palsy of the facial nerve, there was also tremendous pain
- A woman with a disease also suffers from dependence on others – problems with walking, talking and eating made her need to rely on the support of her relatives in the most basic activities
- Ramsay Hunt’s syndrome is one of the forms of the acute viral disease called herpes zoster, caused by the chickenpox virus.
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
The disease took away her independence
Nicoya Rescorla she began experiencing the first symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome in October 2020. It started with a pain in the neck, dizziness and imbalances appeared, which simply “knocked her down”, as a woman describes her condition at the time. The facial paralysis characteristic of this syndrome appeared later. “The pain was excruciating,” she said in an interview with the BBC.
The disease turned her life upside down. “It took away my independence,” she said. The ailments affected both her physical and mental condition. “This disease really isolates me physically and mentally because I can’t just go out when I want – I have to rely on my husband and mom” She said, adding that her mental illness had made her fall to the shoulder. “(…) I am a completely new person to the one I was 20 months ago”.
Despite the passage of time (almost two years after the diagnosis), Nicoya still experiences some symptoms typical of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. The woman is taking medication, but she is still in pain, and the paralysis of the face, although it is slightly smaller today, has not subsided. “My face has not returned to the state it was before the disease and will probably not be fully healthy,” she admitted.
The woman also referred to the publication of Justin Bieber, noting that she was very surprised, but at the same time comforted that someone talked about this disease loudly. «I never thought I would hear about Ramsay Hunt’s band on TV. However, it is very important for people like me to talk about it »- she noted.
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Justin Bieber suffers from facial paralysis
Justin Bieber informed fans about his health problems via Instagram. The singer said he was infected with a virus that led to the development of a neurological disorder called Ramsay Hunt syndrome.
Part of the 28-year-old’s face has been paralyzed – Bieber has no feeling in the right side of it, he can’t blink one eye, or raise the corner of his mouth. He admitted that the disease causes him a lot of pain and discomfort, and he described his situation as “quite serious”. The artist was forced to cancel the concerts, he wants to “slow down” and focus on his health.
What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome, also known as herpes zoster, is a form of herpes zoster, a disease caused by the VZV virus (chickenpox virus). Its characteristic symptom is partial facial paralysis caused by the involvement of the knee of the facial nerve. This causes pain in the ear, hearing and balance disorders, and often a rash (erythema) in the area of the auricle or in the mouth (palate, tongue).
The disease initially produces flu-like symptoms: It’s weakness, low-grade fever, headache, earache. The patient gradually begins to feel disturbed taste, has problems with moving and speaking. The mouth corner droops and the nasolabial fold is smoothed, it is impossible to close the eye or the forehead wrinkles.
Nerve paralysis is mostly reversible (though not always complete). The key is the rapid implementation of treatment based on the administration of antiviral drugs (acyclovir, famciclovir, valaciclovir), analgesics and local, alleviating ailments (e.g. compresses, ointments).
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