Israeli TV Host Evri Gilad Diagnosed with Bell's Palsy Facial Paralysis
Israeli TV host Evri Gilad announced he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, causing sudden facial paralysis. While Gilad blamed excessive gum chewing, medical experts clarified that gum is a symptom of nerve dysfunction, not its cause.
Israeli TV host Eviatar (Evri) Gilad announced on Friday that he has been diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a condition causing sudden temporary paralysis or weakness of the facial muscles on one side.
"My face is completely crooked," Gilad shared with the public. "I woke up in the morning, felt something strange, and looked in the mirror—it was devastating. Half of my face is paralyzed." Gilad is not the first public figure to speak about the condition. Over the years, other well-known personalities have disclosed their battles with facial paralysis, including chef Michal Anski and model Anna Zak, who previously described the alarming facial changes. Justin Bieber has also spoken about Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a related condition causing similar facial paralysis.
The Chewing Gum Debate
According to Gilad, he believes his condition was triggered by intense chewing gum habits. "Because I got addicted to chewing gum, chewing from morning till night, it simply caused inflammation in the seventh cranial nerve," he claimed.
However, Dr. Ilan Blau, a senior ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and head and neck surgeon at Meir Medical Center, firmly rejects this claim. "There is no known link in medical literature between chewing gum and facial nerve paralysis," Dr. Blau stated. He explained that the facial nerve not only controls facial expressions but also provides a sensory taste component to the front two-thirds of the tongue.
When this nerve stops functioning, patients experience not only facial asymmetry and paralysis but also a loss of taste on the affected side of the tongue. This symptom often leads patients to suck on candy or chew gum in an attempt to stimulate the unaffected side as a compensatory reflex. "It is a result, not a cause," Dr. Blau emphasized.
Understanding Bell's Palsy and Treatment
Bell's palsy causes sudden weakness or paralysis affecting half of the face, resulting in facial asymmetry, difficulty drinking or speaking, and the loss of expression on the affected side. The facial nerve controls critical motor functions, including smiling, raising eyebrows, and jaw movement, alongside salivary and tear glands.
One of the most severe risks associated with the condition involves the eye, as patients often cannot close it fully, even during sleep. This causes severe dryness that can lead to significant corneal damage.
Standard treatment involves high-dose oral steroids administered for a week, followed by a gradual taper. In cases of complete paralysis, antiviral medications may be added to shorten recovery time. Physical therapy is also recommended for persistent paralysis to prevent muscle atrophy, while artificial tears and eye patching protect the cornea from dryness. Approximately 70% of patients recover fully within three months, while about 15% experience prolonged symptoms lasting up to six months with partial recovery.
