Tulisa Contostavlos, best known as a singer and former X Factor judge, has disclosed she suffers from Bell's palsy, a condition causing temporary facial paralysis. The N-Dubz star spoke about her diagnosis during an appearance on ITV's Loose Women, revealing the nerve damage stemmed from a serious horse riding accident.
She explained that her first Bell's palsy attack occurred after the accident. “I do suffer from Bell's palsy... it can cause facial paralysis, it can cause swelling,” she said. “I think the first attack I had was after a serious horse-riding accident.” The condition affects the muscles on one side of the face, leading to weakness or complete paralysis, and can also impact the eyelid and mouth.
Tulisa now carries emergency steroids at all times to manage flare-ups, noting that early treatment can reduce the duration of attacks. “If you have steroids within a 72 hour period, it can last days instead of seven months, which happened to me the first time. I was hiding in the house,” she added. She also revealed that she has faced criticism over her appearance during attacks, with people unaware of her condition.
Bell's palsy is the most common facial palsy, with symptoms including a drooping face, ear pain, and difficulty eating or speaking. While the exact cause is unknown, it has been linked to viruses. Tulisa's openness aims to raise awareness of the condition.
