Bristol Palin opens up about facial paralysis condition
Bristol Palin is letting fans in on her health journey amid a recent medical scare.
The "Teen Mom OG" alum and daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin revealed on social media Wednesday that she's been struggling with a case of facial paralysis.
"I woke up nine days ago with a little weird sensation in my face. My mouth was pulling (to the left), and it just felt a little off," said Palin in a series of videos posted to her Instagram Stories.
Palin shared several clips of herself over an eight-day period that illustrated the progression of her facial paralysis, with the TV personality reflecting at one point, "It's so bad dude."
"Within a couple of hours, the entire left side of my face was numb and just paralyzed," Palin, 34, continued, "(I) couldn't really blink my eye, definitely had no movement on the side of my face. So crazy."
Palin did not disclose an exact diagnosis for her condition, though she noted that she underwent a CT scan, numerous tests and was prescribed steroids and other medications. She said her doctors speculated she may have a case of Bell's palsy, a type of temporary facial paralysis, induced by "stress or lack of sleep."
According to the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bell's palsy is caused by damage or trauma to the facial nerve (also known as the seventh cranial nerve), causing a disruption of the nerve signal somewhere between its origin at the brain stem to the muscles on either side of the patient's face, causing that side to droop.
What is Bell's palsy? The facial paralysis that's affected A-listers like Angelina Jolie and George Clooney
Blinking, smiling, raising eyebrows, flaring nostrils and even taste sensations can also be affected since the facial nerve is responsible for those functions. In most cases, only one side of the face is affected, though it can affect both.
Bell's palsy has been linked to stress, although a precise cause has not been found. Conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, Lyme disease and autoimmune disorders, chronic ear infections, tumors and trauma to the head or face have also been identified as coinciding with the illness.
Tiffany Chen: Robert De Niro's girlfriend says she 'lost all facial function' after birth
Several stars have been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, from Angelina Jolie and George Clooney to "Bachelorette" alum Emily Maynard Johnson and Robert De Niro's girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
Contributing: USA TODAY Life/Entertainment team
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 hours ago
- USA Today
Heartwarming video shows 1-year-old cancer patient bond with therapy dog
Asher's mom, Ambra Frank said Maverick stayed with her son for a few minutes, and the two "shared some really special, giggly moments together." A 1-year-old boy diagnosed with cancer received a delightful surprise when a therapy dog visited him while he was recovering from a liver transplant as part of his treatment. Video footage from the heartwarming moment shows 20-month-old Asher overjoyed when Maverick, a 2-year-old therapy dog, visited him. The two appear to instantly hit it off with the yellow lab fishing for cuddles and the little boy generously giving them to him. Asher's mom, Ambra Frank, told USA TODAY over email on July 31 that her son had been in bed "resting for a few weeks while recovering from his liver transplant" at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and was uncharacteristically sad until Maverick dropped by like a ray of sunshine. "He was feeling very down and hadn't been smiling much, which is so unlike our joyful little boy," Frank shared. "But the moment Maverick walked in, Asher lit up. He pushed himself up to sit, on his own, for the first time since surgery, and had the biggest smile on his face." "Hearing him giggle again brought tears to our eyes," she continued, adding that Asher had no idea Maverick would be coming, so it "was a complete surprise." Could your pet be your doppelganger? Show us your twin-tastic lookalike pics Watch 1-year-old cancer patient bond with therapy dog at Ohio hospital 'Special, giggly moments' Frank said Maverick stayed with Asher for a few minutes, and the two "shared some really special, giggly moments together," with Asher loving Maverick's kisses. "He thought Maverick's wagging tail was especially silly, he kept reaching for it and giggling," according to Frank. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Asher is currently in remission Asher, who is 20 months old, was diagnosed with a rare liver cancer called hepatoblastoma when he was just 1. At the time of diagnosis, his cancer was also metastatic; however, Asher is now recovering slowly and is currently in remission. "He's continuing to heal following his liver transplant and has been showing so much strength and resilience through it all," Frank said. "While we're still navigating the ups and downs of recovery, moments like his visit with Maverick have brought him so much joy." Maverick, meanwhile, is a therapy dog at Nationwide Children's Hospital, according to the hospital's website. The yellow lab, who turned 2 this July, is a graduate of New Albany Therapy Dogs, a national nonprofit that "provides expertly trained service dogs," according to its website. Maverick has been with the Nationwide Children's Butterfly Paws team since May 1, 2025, and comes to work with his handler, working rounds with the medical team every day, the hospital told USA TODAY. Maverick's favorite activities include running with friends, playing with crinkle toys and taking long naps in between helping patients, families and staff. The pup, described as a giver on the hospital's website, loves to gift toys and is known to be always smiling. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Los Angeles Times
‘Relentlessly debilitating,' the chronic symptoms of Lyme disease
Grammy award-winning pop star Justin Timberlake, 44, recently took to Instagram to share his diagnosis of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that he said was, 'relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.' His statement comes on the heels of criticism from fans who felt he was under-performing during his recent world tour. 'When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure,' the post stated. 'But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.' Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterial species that can spread to people and animals from the bite of a deer tick — also called a black-legged tick — carrying the bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic. Experts say ticks that carry the bacteria live throughout most of the United States, although the incidence of Lyme disease is far less prevalent in California than it is in the American Northeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic states. (The disease is named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut, where an outbreak was first identified in the 1970s.) In California, western black-legged ticks are carriers of Lyme disease and are commonly found in northern coastal counties and in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, according to the California Department of Public Health. Between 2013 and 2019, there were 904 new cases of Lyme disease in the state. During that time period, the average rates of Lyme disease were highest in Santa Cruz (4 cases per 100,000 people), Humboldt (about 3 cases per 100,000 people) and Sonoma Counties (about 2 cases per 100,000 people). Lyme disease often goes undiagnosed 'due to the breadth and migratory nature of its symptoms—ranging from headaches and fatigue to joint pain, body aches, balance issues, memory loss, myocarditis, anxiety, insomnia, and depression,' the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a nonprofit that studies the disease, stated in a post on X. Most people completely recover from the disease when treated with a two- to four-week course of antibiotics. Others have prolonged symptoms of fatigue, body, aches or difficulty thinking, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When a bacteria-infected tick bites a person, or animal, the bacteria is released from the mouth of the tick and into the bloodstream, where it can then spread throughout the body, according to Bay Area Lyme Foundation. If a tick becomes attached to your skin, the CDC recommends you remove it as soon as possible. Consult your health care provider if you show any symptoms of the disease. Your body's reaction to the infection varies from person to person and symptoms show up in stages. Some people with Lyme disease don't have symptoms in the early stages of the infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common symptoms of Lyme disease are fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis. These symptoms can happen in stages. During the first stage, which occurs 3 to 30 days after a tick bite, a person can develop a circular rash around the site of the bite. The rash can become clear in the center, and resemble a target or bull's-eye. During this first stage, infected people can experience a fever, headache, extreme tiredness, joint stiffness, muscle aches and pains or swollen lymph nodes. In the second stage, which occurs three to 10 weeks after a bite, symptoms can escalate. They include: Symptoms in the third stage of the disease, which begins two to 12 months after a tick bite, include arthritis in large joints, particularly the knees. Pain, swelling or stiffness may last for a long time or can come and go. People with prolonged symptoms of Lyme disease, called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, usually get better over time without additional antibiotics, but it can take many months to feel completely well, according to the CDC. The cause of pro-longed symptoms is currently unknown. Ticks are commonly found in outdoor areas with grass, shrubs, rocks, logs and fallen leaves. You don't have to avoid these areas, but should instead wear protective clothing to prevent a tick from latching onto your skin. Before you go on your outdoor activity, plan to wear long-sleeve shirts and pants. With your protective clothes on, apply insect repellent to garments and exposed skin, according to the state public health department. During your hike, check yourself and any pets for ticks that might be crawling on you. If you do see a tick, remove it right away. When you return home from your excursion, inspect your clothes, body and scalp for any ticks. Toss the tick-free clothes in the laundry and take a shower. If you found a tick on your clothes put clothing items in a hot dryer for 10 minutes, that will kill the insect. The California Department of Public Health recommends you continue to check your body for any sign of ticks for three days after being outside in areas where ticks reside.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Justin Timberlake reveals ‘relentlessly debilitating' Lyme disease symptoms — Do you live in Ontario's high risk areas?
Justin Timberlake has Lyme disease. The famous pop star confirmed his battle with 'relentlessly debilitating' Lyme disease symptoms in an Instagram post Thursday . 'When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure,' he wrote. 'But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.' Timberlake faced criticism for recent performances in Europe over what fans described as low-energy shows. It appears Lyme disease may be to blame. 'I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out,' Timberlake wrote on Instagram. 'I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm so glad I kept going.' Timberlake just completed his 'Forget Tomorrow World Tour' in Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday. The tour started in Vancouver last April. A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) Notable Canadian celebrities who have shared their diagnosis with Lyme disease include Avril Lavigne, Justin Bieber and Shania Twain. The blacklegged tick is known to transmit four tick-borne diseases — anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Lyme disease and Powassan virus — that are listed as Diseases of Public Health Significance by Public Health Ontario (PHO). Lyme disease occurs in stages. Symptoms can vary from person to person after being bitten by an infected blacklegged tick or western blacklegged tick. Signs and symptoms of each stage can overlap. 'In some people, Lyme disease may present in a later stage without a history of prior signs or symptoms,' the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) explains. Early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease can manifest as: The erythema migrans rash is the most commonly reported sign of Lyme disease. PHAC explains it's an expanding skin rash that usually starts at the site of the tick bite slowly expanding over several days. The rash can be circular or oval-shaped, looking like a target or bull's eye. It can go unnoticed if it's on dark skin or a part of the body that's hard to see. PHAC says some people might not develop a rash at all. The bull's-eye shape of this rash is a clear sign of Lyme disease. Later symptoms of Lyme disease can appear days to months after an infected tick bite and might manifest as: In very rare cases, death can occur due to the complications involving an infection of the heart. Lyme disease is a growing concern in Canada particularly in southern Ontario, which is considered one of a few hot spots for ticks. Tick populations continue to climb in Ontario, as well as other parts of Canada. This year is expected to follow the trend . The Public Health Agency of Canada has a tool where you can type in your postal code and it will tell you if you're located in a risk area for Lyme disease. Some risk areas include spots in Windsor, Whitby, Waterloo, Uxbridge, The Blue Mountains, Tay Valley, St. Catharines, Smiths Falls, Scugog, Richmond Hill, Rideau Lakes, Renfrew, Prince Edward County, Port Hope, Perth, Peel, Ottawa, Oshawa, Orillia, Oakville, Niagara Falls, Newmarket, Mississauga, Milton, Markham, Hamilton, Clarington, Caledon, Burlington, Brampton, Kawartha Lakes, Barrie, Ajax and more. Map of five areas known for risk to tick exposure in Canada. The number of human reported Lyme disease cases in Canada in 2024 was 5,239, according to preliminary data from the PHAC. That's a jump from the 4,785 cases reported in 2023 and 2,525 in 2022. For a matter of perspective, only 144 cases were reported in 2009. Out of the 4,785 cases in 2023, 1,865 were reported in Ontario, according to Public Health Ontario data. In Canada, Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks — also known as deer ticks — and western blacklegged ticks, according to the PHAC. The blacklegged tick, or deer tick as it is sometimes called, is the most common carrier of Lyme disease. Despite the established risk areas for ticks, Public Health Ontario said it's important for people to know they could encounter an infected blacklegged tick almost anywhere in Ontario , as blacklegged ticks feed on and are transported by migratory birds. Species of ticks can be found in most parts of Ontario — clustering along the north shores of Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, according to PHO. This map depicts the estimated risk areas for Lyme disease in Ontario in 2024. Risk areas for Lyme disease in southern Ontario can be found along the north shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and on the south shore of Lake Huron, according to PHAC . In southeastern Ontario, risk areas can be found around Kingston in the St. Lawrence valley, extending northeast toward Ottawa. PHO data shows Lyme disease was reported in all but one health unit region in 2023. The highest concentration of reported cases in Ontario in 2013 was in the Ontario health unit catchment areas of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health and Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health. In 2023, 84 people in Ontario were hospitalized for Lyme disease. PHO shows Lyme rates have been climbing for the last 10 years. Climate change is contributing to the spread of blacklegged ticks to new areas in Canada. Southern, western and southeastern Ontario, parts of Manitoba, southern Quebec and the Maritime provinces are known to be risk areas for ticks and Lyme disease exposure. Map of five areas known for risk to tick exposure in Canada. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can cause serious medical issues. Here are some proactive measures to take to avoid getting bitten by a tick. For more information on ticks , visit the Public Health Agency of Canada's website. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
