Cold Wind Causing Facial Paralysis

A search on Google Scholar reveals that common causes of facial paralysis include Herpes simplex virus, lyme disease, Bell's palsy, and Ramsay Hunt syndrome. But in Shanghai, doctors are reporting numerous cases of facial paralysis caused by the cold autumn wind. Fatigue is also a contributing factor. A Shanghai doctor cautions that, "Elderly people, new mothers, children with weak immunity, and those exposed to cold wind after drinking are the most likely to suffer facial paralysis."

It's also reported that the "majority of the patients are male between 20 and 50 years of age." (I'm guessing they're the ones being exposed to the cold wind after drinking.) They're coming into hospitals complaining of sudden paralysis on one side of the face. A little bit of acupuncture and massage, and they're set right. [hillpost.in]

     Posted By: Alex - Thu Oct 18, 2012
     Category: Health | Medicine | Weather





Comments
I'm calling BULLSH1T! on this one!

A quick peek over at Weather Wunderground shows that the temp in Shanghai is dipping all the way down to 13°C (55°F) of a night. BRRRRRRRRR! :blank:
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/18/12 at 09:36 AM
I'm of the opinion that the paralysis is caused by sudden contact with the ground, as the paralytic tippler falls over.

Is that smoke around the guy's face?
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 10/18/12 at 09:45 AM
@Scottie: Yes, that's smoke. Don't you watch Steven Seagal movies?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/18/12 at 09:52 AM
This happened to a girl (in her early 20s) at my workplace a few years ago. According to her doctor it was brought on by a combination of cold wind and wet hair after going home from the gym on her bike...

What more proof do you need that exercise is bad for you? Hah...
Posted by Snoozan on 10/18/12 at 09:58 AM
Was anyone with these people when it happened? Perhaps it wasn't the wind at all. They may have been making faces and just like mom always said It stuck like that. :lol:
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 10/18/12 at 10:36 AM
About 30 years ago my mom contracted Bell's Palsy after a trip up the Rogue River on the Mail Boats. Although it's no longer generally noticeable, she still has to be careful when consuming liquids as she has a tendency to "dribble".
Posted by Kharon Anon on 10/18/12 at 10:47 AM
Anything to get out of work. Facial paralysis would put a crimp on answering the phone.

Expat, when I worked in Phoenix, those of us from cooler climes would laugh at the natives who would suddenly bundle up like Minnesotans in December when the temps dipped to 65 Fahrenheit while we ran around in shorts and tees.
Posted by KDP on 10/18/12 at 12:26 PM
More likely toxic sludge mixing with their sleet from Fukushima. Radioactive rain will do strange things to tissue...
Posted by Dimitri on 10/18/12 at 05:57 PM
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