A patient with severe Bell's palsy, a paralysis of the facial nerve resulting in weakness of the facial muscles down one side of the face. This condition is usually temporary. It occurs suddenly: the eyelid & mouth droop on one side of the face & there may be pain in the ear. It may be impossible to wrinkle the brow or close the eye, & smiling is distorted. Bell's palsy often clears up without any treatment. Taking analgesic drugs may relieve the pain.