Justin Bieber said he had Spasmodic Dysphonia and suffered from a paralyzed right side of his face.
Earlier this week, the Canadian singer canceled some upcoming shows because of illness. He announced he has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome and said he is taking a trip to Mexico for special treatment.
“It is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves, and has caused my face to have paralysis,” Justin Biber said in an Instagram video.
“As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move.”
What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that mainly occurs in people who were previously infected with chickenpox.
If the varicella-zoster virus becomes reactivated, shingles can occur and affect the facial nerve. This can lead to paralysis of the face or actual hearing loss.
Symptoms of this condition can include blisters in your ears or on the roof of your mouth.
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is rare and affects only about 5000 people in the United States. Elderly adults are more likely to be affected
How is it Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosed and treated?
Typically, the condition is identified through a medical history and by identifying if the patient has a rash on their face as well as a paralysis in their facial muscles.
Diagnosing this disease can be a challenge, but it may not present symptoms at the same time as other conditions. According to NORD.
In some cases, the rash may not be present. The Mayo Clinic says.
Once you have been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, antiviral medication and steroid medication are recommended.
How severe is Ramsay Hunt syndrome?
Prompt treatment is crucial to the management of facial palsy and it can make a significant difference to patient outcomes, with around 70% of those who receive antiviral treatment within three days recovering fully.
If the symptoms do not completely reverse at this point, there is only a 50% chance that they will.
Mild cases can heal within a few weeks and more severe ones will take up to 3 months to fully recover and may have lower odds of full recovery.