From Basketball Stars to Perinatal Health: The Importance of Diagnosis and Vigilance

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid recently scored an impressive 50 points in the NBA Playoffs. However, during the postgame press conference, the main topic of discussion was not his outstanding performance but his health. Embiid revealed that he had been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy the week before, as his left eye wasn’t blinking and his face was drooping.

Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder and the most common cause of facial paralysis according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Deepak Nair, the director of ambulatory and virtual neurology services at OSF HealthCare, explained that the signs of Bell’s palsy and stroke can sometimes be similar. The best way to diagnose the condition is for a medical provider to interact with the patient face-to-face. Symptoms of Bell’s palsy can also include alterations in hearing and taste on the affected side of the face.

On a different note, discussions about pregnancy often involve terms like postpartum depression or baby blues. The broader term for these issues is PMAD, which stands for perinatal mood, anxiety, and depression. It is crucial for moms and their healthcare providers to be vigilant about these conditions. Tiffany Waters, a birthing center charge nurse at OSF HealthCare, pointed out that being a new mom can lead to various symptoms like brain fog, crying, sleep disturbances, compulsive behavior, and even suicidal thoughts. The causes of these issues are multifaceted and originating from psychological