How Angelina Jolie Made A Full Recovery From Bell’s Palsy
Behind the scenes, Angelina Jolie has undergone a few health battles, including a change to her face due to a bell's palsy diagnosis.
Most fans of Angelina Jolie know that 2016 was an incredibly difficult year for her.
Not only did she separate from her husband Brad Pitt, from which it seems she still hasn’t emotionally recovered, but she also underwent multiple invasive surgeries to significantly decrease any chance of her developing breast and ovarian cancer in the years leading up to 2016.
And although she’s since made a full recovery from her ailments, not everybody knows about her mysterious illness that targeted her facial muscles.
Angelina Jolie’s Health Throughout The Years
Angelina Jolie and her brother James Haven were born to Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, two prominent actors in Hollywood in the 1970s. The spotlight wasn’t always her first choice as a career path, admitting that she had ambitions of becoming a funeral director. However, it seems she was destined to be a Hollywood star.
But even with all the luxuries that being famous has afforded her at such a young age, she was still at high risk of developing health problems later in life. With a history of medical issues stemming from her mother’s side of the family, as well as her mother passing away in 2007 due to ovarian cancer, Jolie was in need of answers; what were her chances of developing these unavoidable illnesses, and what were the best preventative measures she could take?
Her decision was to undergo a double mastectomy as well as an operation to remove an ovary and its fallopian tube. Both surgeries were preventative and have been life-saving for the actress.
When asked how she felt after the fact, USA Today quoted the actress expressing the physiological changes her body went through. She said, “I can’t tell if it’s menopause or if it’s just been the year I’ve had,” However, even with the success of these operations, it didn’t affect the development of the mysterious and rare condition known as Bell’s Palsy.
What Happened With Angelina Jolie And Bell’s Palsy?
According to WebMD, Bell’s Palsy is a type of facial paralysis that only affects one side of the face. It can cause eyelid drooping, change in taste, and pain around the ear of the inflicted side. Although the cause of this affliction is still unknown, many researchers believe that it’s brought on by inflammation of the facial nerve. People who are pregnant, who have diabetes, or are recovering from upper respiratory tract infections are more at risk of developing Bell’s Palsy.
Even with the list of risk factors, it’s possible for it to occur in anyone, although it only occurs in 1 to 4 per 10,000 people per year. In an interview with Vanity Fair, she spoke candidly about her affliction and how the underlying cause could have been something as simple as negligence. When asked about it, she’s quoted saying, “Sometimes women in families put themselves last… until it manifests itself in their own health… I actually feel more of a woman because I feel like I’m being smart about my choices, and I’m putting my family first, and I’m in charge of my life and my health. I think that’s what makes a woman complete.”
Angelina Jolie Has Made A Full Recovery
Since its discovery, scientists and doctors have experimented with a myriad of treatments. However, certain treatments have been cited to reverse the effects of Bell’s Palsy, including but not limited to steroids and antiviral medications.Since her diagnosis, Jolie was able to make a full recovery by treating her symptoms with acupuncture. Alongside Jolie, a handful of other celebrities have also been afflicted with the condition, including George Clooney when he was 14 and Pierce Brosnan in the 80s. Needless to say, since their diagnosis, they’ve also made a full recovery.
Angelina Jolie’s health has undoubtedly gone through the ringer, but fortunately for her and those closest to her, as well as her fans, she’s been able to come out the other side triumphant.
Regardless of whether she’s battling health issues, gearing up for a film role, or doing everything she can to be a good mother to her 6 children, it’s clear that she’s going to continue to go above and beyond to do her absolute best and put 100% of herself into it.
