Friday, February 27, 2004

Bell's Palsy


On the 2nd day of our trip in Langkawi, Adik (my housemate) complained that the right side of her face felt a bit numb and sensed something wrong with her right eye. My best friend shared with us her experience on the related matter. The only different is that, hers was a bit painful and her smile became asymmetrical. Her face was back to normal in few days time after a doctor gave her an injection and some medication. I told Adik it probably was nothing, maybe because of too much laugh and it will be okay. I was praying for that. It turned out that she was still having the numb for the next 2 days.

On the 4th day, i noticed that her smile became asymmetrical and she unable to close her right eye completely. That night, in my fear of the condition becoming worse, i had to force her to see a doctor as she insisted to go the very next day. True enough, she is having a condition called Bell's Palsy. That night was the first time i heard of the term and i assume many of us have not heard of it as well. As instructed, we went to HUKM for further check-up. Luckily the doctor said it was nothing serious and gave her some medication. She, however, have to undergo facial physiotherapy and nerves test.




What is Bell's Patsy


It is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the seventh cranial nerve, also known as the facial nerve, which results in weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. The paralysis causes distortion of facial features and interferes with normal functions, such as closing the eye and eating.

Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptoms are facial weakness or paralysis, a dry eye or mouth, and problems tasting. The severity of symptoms depends on the extent of facial nerve damage and varies from mild weakness to complete paralysis. Bell’s palsy usually affects both the upper and lower parts on one side of the face. Both sides of the face are affected in less than 1% of cases.
Symptoms usually come on suddenly, often following recovery from a recent upper respiratory infection or other virus. Several hours before the onset of facial weakness, many people experience pain behind the ear or in the back of the head. In addition to paralysis, other symptoms include:
Dizziness
Drooling
Dry mouth
Facial twitching
Hypersensitivity to sound
Inability to blink or close the eye, tearing, and dry eyes
Impaired sense of taste
Impaired speaking


Bell's palsy is self-limiting. Symptoms do not spread beyond the face and do not worsen once they "peak." Between 60% and 80% of patients experience complete recovery within a short time, whether or not they receive treatment. Others are left with varying degrees of facial disfigurement, paralysis, or muscle spasms.
Recovery time varies from a few days to a few months, depending on the amount of damage to the facial nerve. Approximately 7% of patients experience a recurrence.


Source : Neurology Channel
For more information go to Bell's Palsy



Friday, February 20, 2004

So far, yet still very far



Friend, buddy, pal, mate...whatever you call it, is, i would say important in our lives. Someone i know talked about his closest friends and the things they did together. It somehow made me missed my friends, one in Bahrain and the other one in Manchester. Quite a spontaneous person they are...told me about going abroad and make a living. The next thing you know they are there, having the good time of their lives.


p/s:-
Oat and Ian, miss you both of and hope you will have a good time in Egpyt. Looking forward to the day when you are back for good.


That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight Stevie Wonder

and I never thought I'd feel this way
And as far as I'm concerned
I'm glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you

And if I should ever go away
Well then close your eyes and try
To feel the way we do today
And then if you can remember

Keep smiling, keep shining
Knowing you can always count on me, for sure
That's what friends are for
For good times and bad times
I'll be on your side forever more
That's what friends are for

Well you came in loving me
And now there's so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you

Oh and then for the times when we're apart
Well then close your eyes and know
The words are coming from my heart
And then if you can remember



Monday, February 16, 2004

Timber..Timber...Timberland


I would really love to get this footwear from Timberland but it's too damn expensive...another RM 1 to make it RM 400.



Maybe i should settle down with the one at Hush Puppies which will only cost me RM 169..

Thursday, February 12, 2004

Life insurance....not insterested


It's been quite a while since i last blogged. Last week, out of the blue, i got a telephone call from someone who i don't even expected to get a ring from. The call was from an ex-colleague of mine who rarely talked or even smile at me..perhaps i was an alien to her eyes.


She started the conversation by asking how was i doing, so on and so forth. Then finally the 2 millions question came out of her mouth, "do you have a life insurance policy?".It was a bit annoying, you rarely talked to me or at least smile when we bumped into each other, suddenly want to set an appointment with me to talk about life insurance. HELLO!!!! I don't even buy a life policy from my close friend, what made you think that i will buy from you. It is a sure no no. On this i am quote what Sunflower have said "whatever you are selling, am not interested."