Highlights
- Pop singer Diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome paralyzed the face partially.
- The syndrome is said to be caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Last Month in June, Justin Bieber announced that his face was paralyzed partially by Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. It is a condition that even leads to hearing loss. Moreover, the disease occurs by a virus called varicella-zoster. Further, this is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Justin told fans in the video that “I have this Syndrome called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.” Further, he stated, “it is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear, my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis. As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move.”
Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder. It occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a nerve in the head near the inner ear. Most probably the virus stays in the body after having chickenpox in childhood or shingles in adulthood.
Furthermore, three different neurological syndromes carrying the name of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Moreover, they were all first documented by the famous neurologist James Ramsay Hunt (1872–1937).
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Type 1: It is also called Ramsay Hunt cerebellar syndrome. It is a rare form of cerebellar degeneration which involves myoclonic epilepsy, progressive ataxia, tremor, and a dementing process.
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Type 2: It is the reactivation of the herpes zoster in the geniculate ganglion. It is sometimes called herpes zoster Oticus. It has a variable presentation that may include a lower motor neuron lesion of the facial nerve, deafness, vertigo, and pain. Its typical representation is a triad of ipsilateral facial paralysis, ear pain, and vesicles on the face, on, or in the ear, respectively.
- Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Type 3: It is a less commonly referenced condition. It is an occupationally induced neuropathy of the deep palmar branch of the ulnar nerve. It is also called Hunt’s disease or artisan’s palsy.
Symptoms and Treatments Of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
The symptoms of the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome include a painful rash inside the ear canal and outside the ear. Due to the inner ear involvement, people with the condition can also suffer vertigo like the sensation of dizziness or things spinning around you, or tinnitus, a ringing in the ear.
Additionally, Ramsay Hunt syndrome causes hearing loss on the side of the affected face. Moreover, the syndrome causes weakness, facial droop, or paralysis on the side of the face attacked by the virus.
That weakness can cause difficulty with closing one eye and making facial expressions. It might also cause problems in eating, as food can fall out of the side of the weakened mouth.
Treatments consist of steroids such as prednisone to reduce inflammation and pain medication. Moreover, the treatment that starts within three days after showing the signs and symptoms may help prevent long-term complications. Furthermore, Antiviral medicines which help with Herpesviridae like acyclovir or valacyclovir may be prescribed.
Justin Bieber Last Words
In his last words, Justin Bieber assured his fans that he is “gonna get better.” And that he was doing “facial exercises to get my face back to normal.” Further, he adds, “It will go back to normal — it’s just time, and we don’t know how much time, but it’s going to be OK.” Moreover, he says, “Obviously, my body’s telling me I gotta slow down. I hope you guys understand, and I’ll be using this time to just rest, relax and get back to 100%.”