Justin Bieber and the Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

He then speaks publicly and confirms this news, announcing his injury and canceling two concerts that he was scheduled to perform as a part of a tour he had started. He clarified and explained that syndrome through a video he posted on his account on Instagram saying, "As you see, this eye doesn’t blink; I can’t smile on this side of my face; this nostril won’t move."

What is this syndrome? Is it rare or common? How dangerous is it? What are its causes and symptoms? Through this article, you will know everything related to this syndrome.

What is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that causes paralysis of one side of the face with a rash on the mouth and ears. On average, this condition lasts about three weeks, and its name was derived from the neurologist who discovered it in 1907.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms of this condition differ from one patient to another. But in general, the patient suffers from:

1. Facial nerve paralysis, as it affects one side only.
2. The patient also appears to have a red rash, which is often evidence that the paralysis is caused by Ramsay Hunt syndrome and not as a result of other causes. The rash takes the form of painful sores on the ear flap and in the external auditory canal.

The diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome is often made based on the appearance of these vesicular sores. Painful sores and blisters may reach the mouth, affecting the upper palate and upper throat.

These two symptoms are not associated with each other. Rather, they occur separately, and as a result of this syndrome, the following may also occur:

1. Weakness or stiffness in the muscles of the paralyzed side. This affects the patient's ability to smile or speak correctly.
2. The patient's inability to close the paralyzed side's eye.

However, Sometimes, other symptoms appear as follows:

1. Tinnitus, pain in the ear, hearing loss, and loss of taste or change in it.
2. Dry eyes and mouth.
3. Some patients may also show symptoms of nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

It is preferable to see a doctor immediately after experiencing these symptoms because this will greatly reduce its severity, and help reduce the risk of infection and the occurrence of any complications. In the event of a delay in treatment, permanent weakness in the facial muscles may occur. Symptoms may develop into serious complications if they are not treated immediately and quickly. In addition, it may lead to:

1. Permanent hearing loss.
2. Damage to the cornea as a result of the lack of blinking that protects the eye, and this results in severe eye pain and difficulty seeing.
3. Symptoms may also multiply to cause the patient to suffer from neuropathic pain after having the Ramsay Hunt syndrome as a result of damage to the nerve fibers, as their messages become incorrect and exaggerated. This pain may continue for a long time after the recovery stage.

What are the causes of Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. An infected person may carry this virus for decades after being infected by chickenpox during childhood. Usually, the virus remains hidden within a group of nerve cells located next to the nerve cord called the dorsal root ganglion. The virus does not cause any symptoms during this period of dormancy, and any activation of this virus leads to the emergence of so-called shingles, which in some cases progresses to Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

This happens when this activation affects the facial nerve, which runs from the brain to reach both sides of the face through a channel called the narrow facial canal that lies within a very dense piece of bone. The virus invades the facial nerve responsible for muscle movement. However, this nerve accompanies the vestibular cochlear nerve, which plays a part in balance and hearing. People with this syndrome suffer from hearing problems and sometimes from dizziness.

Activation occurs due to several factors such as fatigue, stress, or other infection, but until now the exact reason behind the activation of this virus is unknown. Furthermore, it has been proven that all cases occur in those who have had chickenpox earlier. there is no difference in infection between males and females, as it affects both of them equally.

According to the American organization, Nord, specialized in providing support for people with rare diseases, five out of every hundred thousand people in the United States of America develop this syndrome each year, and of course, these statistics cannot be considered absolutely accurate.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome may affect older people over the age of 60 or people with low immunity. As a result of routine procedures for administering vaccines for chickenpox, however, the chances of having this syndrome are greatly reduced in children; they are even rare.

It is worth noting that this syndrome is not contagious in itself, but smallpox is contagious to people who have not had it or to those who have not taken the necessary vaccinations.

This infection, as mentioned above, may lead to the activation of the virus after a while, and then to the syndrome. This calls for people who have increased risk factors to be careful when coming into contact with people who have chickenpox and not to touch them or approach them, such as pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems.

A doctor has attributed Justin Bieber's syndrome to anxiety, exhaustion, and fatigue, especially since Justin got infected with it while on tour. In addition to this, an unhealthy lifestyle and diet that weakens his immune system may increase the risk of infection.

Here, it is necessary to note the difference between Ramsay Hunt syndrome and Bell's palsy. The latter also occurs due to a viral attack on the facial nerve, but without specifying the type of virus. Unlike Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which is caused by a specific type of virus, as we mentioned, the herpes virus that causes chickenpox. The two cases are similar in weakness and paralysis of the facial muscles but differ in pain. The pain caused by Bell's palsy is milder and less severe.

Diagnosis and treatment of Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Diagnosis is most often made through clinical symptoms and physical indicators on the patient's body. The doctor also refers to the patient's medical history in many cases, and if in doubt, they may resort to taking a sample from one of the pimples for testing.

As we have mentioned more than once, urgent treatment helps a lot to alleviate symptoms and their complications since the cure rate reached 70% in people who started treatment within three days of infection.

In general, antiviral drugs are used to treat the chickenpox virus, and a high dose of prednisone helps to enhance the effect of these drugs. The patient also needs anti-anxiety drugs, drugs for dizziness, and pain relievers. Also, facial exercises can be done for the muscles to return to their normal condition.

People with dry eyes may use artificial tears and have to close them at night. It is worth noting that in America, a vaccine for this syndrome is routinely given to people over the age of 60, known as the zostax vaccine, and this vaccine has proven to be effective in preventing the activation of the virus.

In conclusion

Being a celebrity doesn't protect you from getting sick, which was confirmed by Justin Bieber's infection with the rare case of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

Therefore, the only protector and impenetrable fortress of human beings to maintain their health is to follow the necessary health rules, rely on a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising, getting enough sleep hours, and avoiding exhaustion and fatigue. Because doing so, you will improve the health and strength of your immune system besides preparing you to challenge any disease at any time.