CBS2 To Welcome Maurice DuBois Back To Air On Thursday

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- CBS2 viewers will see Maurice DuBois on the air again on Thursday.

DuBois took some time off after being diagnosed with Bell's palsy, which caused weakness on the right side of his face.

On Wednesday, he posted to Facebook that he will be back on the air the following day, and expressed gratitude to the thoughts and prayers that many people have passed on to him.

As CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez explained, Bell's palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. The result is that one side of the face droops.

The condition is not common, but not rare either. About 40,000 people a year develop Bell's palsy.

The paralysis or weakness affects the facial nerve that comes out right behind the ear and innervates the muscles of the face. Smiling, frowning and blinking are all impaired with Bell's palsy.

The cause is thought to be a virus that inflames the nerve, causing it to swell. But because the nerve comes out of the brain through a small bony tunnel, there is no room for it to swell – so it gets squeezed and shut down.

Bell's palsy comes on suddenly – often overnight – and without warning. The only treatment for it is prednisone – an oral corticosteroid to reduce inflammation – and antiviral medication.

The good news is that most people with Bell's palsy start to regain normal function completely within a couple of weeks, and usually recover completely or with very few after-effects.

Viewers on Wednesday were pleased to hear that DuBois would be returning to the anchor desk.

"Was thinking about you a few days ago; whispered a prayer. It was answered!! Blessings," wrote Elzena Huffman-Ward.

"I am so happy for you!! Really happy you're coming back! We have missed you!" wrote Anna Lupo-Romano.