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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021 ... onference/100389606
Victor Dominello diagnosed with Bell's palsy after viewers spot drooping eye in NSW press conference
Wed 18 Aug 2021 at 6:26pm
Victor Dominello sought medical attention after viewers noticed his droopy eye.
NSW Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello has received a diagnosis of Bell's palsy after worried viewers of a press conference noticed his drooping face and urged him to seek medical attention.
Key points:
- Victor Dominello's face was drooping and he blinked slowly with one eye during yesterday's press conference
- Concerned viewers urged him to seek medical attention
The facial paralysis condition is usually temporary and believed to be caused by a viral infection
Mr Dominello fronted the media alongside Premier Gladys Berejiklian at yesterday's COVID-19 update to provide information on business grants.
But some eagle-eyed viewers noticed his face was drooping and he had trouble keeping an eye open.
It prompted some people to reach out to his office to urge him to seek medical help.
"Some people thought I was winking at the cameraman. Some thought I had a stroke," Mr Dominello wrote on social media.
The minister said the calls prompted him to seek help, having previously experienced a "pain in my skull behind my right ear" and "pins and needles on the right side of my tongue".
Victor Dominello sought help after his facial paralysis was noticed by press conference viewers.
Facebook: Victor Dominello
"I only took it more seriously [Wednesday] afternoon — after a number of people sent me a screenshot of the press conference and others contacted my office prompting me to seek urgent medical advice," he said.
He said the diagnosis of Bell's palsy was a reminder to everybody to look after their health.
"We are focused on COVID but there are plenty of other health problems going on. If you have any health concerns, please get them looked after," he said.
What is Bell's palsy?Bell's palsy is the paralysis of one side of the face, and is believed to be caused by inflammation or damage to nerves.
According to the Australian government's Health Direct website, most people fully recover from Bell's palsy, with improvements noticeable in two weeks and full recovery in three to six months.
It's believed viral infections are the main cause of the paralysis.
Anyone with a drooping face is urged to seek urgent medical attention, as the symptom can also reflect more serious conditions, like a stroke.
It's not the first time Mr Dominello's health has made headlines.
In 2019 it was reported he broke a bone while arm wrestling with state Attorney-General Mark Speakman.
Author
Post time 20-8-2021 12:40 PM
