My face was paralyzed when I was 20
Raising awareness for Bell's Palsy during Men's Health Week
To raise awareness for men's health, I am going to talk about something that's very personal to me: Bell's palsy. I contemplated for a long time whether I should post this. After the overwhelming response from a recent interview on South China Morning Post, I hope this newsletter can reach those who are suffering in silence. One thing that I learnt over the past few years.
Stigma will not remove on its own if we don't talk about it.
If you're not familiar with this condition, it's a type of facial paralysis that affects people all over the world. It's caused by inflammation or damage to the facial nerve, which controls the muscles on one side of the face. The number of new cases of Bell's palsy ranges from 1 - 4 cases per 10,000 population per year. Most people recover and regain full facial strength and expression, about 5% of patients have poor recovery which means they live with the condition. The recurrence rate of Bell’s palsy is between 4-14%, with 36% of such patients re-experiencing paralysis on the same side of the face. This is what it looks like when I was diagnosed with it the second time.
I first experienced Bell's palsy when I was 20 years old, and then again when I was 32. Both times, it was a scary and frustrating experience. The symptoms were like stroke, and I drooled. When I spoke, nobody would understand. I was lucky to have a good support system, but even with that support, I still struggled when I was alone. I felt self-conscious about my appearance, as the condition affected the way I looked, I spoke. The first recovery took 3 months while the second recovery took a lot longer, around 6 months and I never fully recover from it. 'What if I don't recover from it?' was a constant negative thought which lingered in my head.
After recovering from Bell's palsy, I faced a few challenges. I was told to omit the details of my condition during job interviews, which made me feel like I had to hide a part of myself. I wanted to work for a company that valued me for who I am and the experiences that have shaped me. I am grateful that this is something I could be completely transparent with at Microsoft. One of the most important things that helped me during my experience with Bell's palsy was having a support system from my family and friends. It taught me a lot about gratitude and that work can always wait.
Suicide is a major global health concern, and men are at a higher risk than women. In fact, men account for around 75% of all suicides globally (World Health Organization).
Men are more likely than women to be diagnosed with and die from major illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes (World Health Organization).
Work-related stress is a global issue, with an estimated 745,000 deaths worldwide each year due to long working hours (World Health Organization).
Talking to someone about your illness and receiving emotional support can help you feel less alone and more connected to others. Sharing our illness with others can help with the release of oxytocin, which is often referred to as the "love hormone." Oxytocin is a hormone that is released in the brain in response to social bonding and positive interactions with others. It has been linked to a range of positive health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and strengthening social connections.
It's important to remember that sharing our experiences with others is a personal choice, and it's okay to keep certain aspects of our health journey private if we feel more comfortable doing so. However, if we do choose to share our experiences, it can be a powerful way to connect with others and improve our own well-being. Talking, sharing and journaling our illnesses can also engage our left and right hemispheres. The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for logical thinking and language processing, while the right hemisphere is associated with emotional processing and creativity. Talking and journaling about our experiences can activate both hemispheres, leading to improved cognitive functioning and emotional regulation.
If you or someone you know is dealing with an illness, it's important to remember that you don't have to go through it alone. Seeking support from friends, family, or healthcare professionals can make a significant difference in your health journey.
Amongst you, someone is sick. Someone has lost someone. Someone is dealing with difficult challenges in life. It's important to remember that we all have struggles, and it's okay to ask for help and support. Let's work together to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and support each other in our health journeys.
Evolve Together,
Aaron