TV Host Claims Gum Chewing Caused Bell's Palsy; Doctor Disputes Link

Israeli television host Avri Gilad revealed he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a condition causing sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. Gilad claims his diagnosis stemmed from intensive gum chewing, stating, "I became addicted to gum. I chew gum from morning till night. All the time with the gum. And it simply caused inflammation in this nerve, called the seventh nerve."

However, Dr. Ilan Blau, a senior ear, nose, and throat specialist at Meir Hospital, refuted this claim, stating there is no scientific evidence linking gum chewing to facial paralysis. Dr. Blau explained that Bell's palsy affects the facial nerve, which controls facial expressions and also carries taste sensation from the front two-thirds of the tongue. He noted that loss of taste on one side of the tongue is a common symptom, and some patients may chew gum or suck on candy as a compensatory mechanism to stimulate the affected side, making it a result, not a cause.

Bell's palsy typically appears suddenly, resulting in facial asymmetry and difficulty with facial expressions, eating, speaking, and closing the eye. The condition can lead to dry eye and potential corneal damage. Other celebrities, including Michal Ansky, Anna Zak, and Justin Bieber (who experienced a similar condition called Ramsay Hunt syndrome), have also publicly shared their experiences with facial paralysis.

Standard treatments for Bell's palsy include a week-long course of high-dose oral steroids, gradually tapered, and sometimes antiviral medication. Physical therapy may be recommended for persistent paralysis to maintain muscle tone. Protecting the eye from dryness with artificial tears and eye patches during sleep is crucial. Approximately 70% of individuals recover fully within three months, while about 15% experience significant nerve damage and may have only partial recovery.