Lyle Lovett Face Droop
Lyle Lovett – Why Does Half of His Face Droop?
Lyle Lovett is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who lives in Klein, Texas, northwest of Houston. He was born and raised in the town and graduated from Texas A&M University.
The musician is an eclectic songwriter with a distinctive voice that stretches out and pinches at times. But it’s the lyrics that carry his songs, and his music, from the blues to gospel to swing.
Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. It makes half of the face appear to droop and prevents the eye on that side from closing properly.
In most cases, the drooping improves over a few weeks but in some severe cases, it may last for up to a year. It is usually caused by an infection or autoimmune reaction, but other causes can also occur.
There are a number of risk factors for Bell’s palsy including high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, other upper respiratory infections and a depleted immune system. However, the condition is rare overall and affects only about 35,000 to a hundred thousand patients in the U.S.
Treatment is focused on relieving the inflammation of the facial nerve and reducing the severity of symptoms. Steroids are often given to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Antiviral medicine is also used, but these need to be given within 72 hours of the attack beginning in order to be effective.
Stroke
A stroke is caused by blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. It is a life-threatening medical emergency that can lead to death or permanent disability if treated improperly.
Symptoms of stroke include a drooping face, one-sided weakness (and sometimes paralysis) and difficulty speaking. If you suspect a person is having a stroke, call 911 immediately for emergency help.
In the case of Lovett, the droop on one side of his face may be a sign of a stroke. He might also have arm weakness when he raises his arms.
The most common way to determine if a person has a stroke is to ask them to smile and look at their face. If they do not, call the ambulance.
Facial Paralysis
Facial paralysis is a condition in which a person’s facial muscles cannot move because of damage to the facial nerve or the muscles that it controls. It can occur in a number of different ways, including congenital (present at birth) or acute paralysis that comes on suddenly (like Bell’s palsy).
The most common cause of sudden onset facial paralysis is called Bell’s palsy and occurs in around 40,000 people each year. It’s a temporary paralysis that usually resolves in about six months.
Other causes include trauma or surgery that can injure the cranial nerve 7 or the muscles it controls. In addition, some types of tumors can also cause facial paralysis.
One way that doctors can restore movement in the face is to insert a nerve graft to the facial nerve on the non-paralyzed side. When the functional side moves, the graft sends a signal to the paralyzed side to trigger facial movement at the same time.
Bruising
Bruises are small red areas on the skin. They are usually harmless, but may be a sign of an underlying health issue that needs to be checked out.
In the case of Lyle Lovett, who owns a home in Klein, Texas, excessive bruising could be an indication of an underlying problem that should be discussed with a health care provider. Bruises should be kept iced and elevated to help reduce swelling and keep the injury from getting worse.
A country singer, Lovett was injured Wednesday on his uncle’s farm in the Houston suburb of Klein when he tried to help his uncle after he had been flipped by a bull. He faces months of rehabilitation after undergoing surgery to reconstruct his right leg, which was broken in the incident.
His uncle, Calvin Klein, 67, praised Lovett for his heroic efforts. He says he would never have survived the accident without Lovett’s help.
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