Paralysis

Summary

Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in part of your body. It happens when something goes wrong with the way messages pass between your brain and muscles. Paralysis can be complete or partial. It can occur on one or both sides of your body. It can also occur in just one area, or it can be widespread. Paralysis of the lower half of your body, including both legs, is called paraplegia. Paralysis of the arms and legs is quadriplegia.

Most paralysis is due to strokes or injuries such as spinal cord injury or a broken neck. Other causes of paralysis include:

• Nerve diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Bell’s palsy, which affects muscles in the face

Polio used to be a cause of paralysis, but polio no longer occurs in the U.S.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Genetics

• Alternating hemiplegia of childhood National Library of Medicine
• Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Hypokalemic periodic paralysis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Juvenile primary lateral sclerosis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Spastic paraplegia type 2: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Spastic paraplegia type 31: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Spastic paraplegia type 4: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Spastic paraplegia type 7: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Troyer syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Related Issues

• Bedsores (Pressure Ulcers) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Living with Paralysis Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
• Paralysis: Secondary Conditions Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
• Stay Healthy on the Road Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
• Wheelchairs Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center

Specifics

• Brown-Sequard Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Familial Periodic Paralyses National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Locked-In Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Todd’s Paralysis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

• Causes of Paralysis Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
• Newly Paralyzed Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hemiplegia National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Paralysis National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Paraplegia National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Quadriplegia National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Spinal Cord Injuries National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Find a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Children

• Hemiplegia in Children: What Do I Do Next? Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association

Living With

• How Do I Deal with Depression and Adjustment to My Spinal Cord Injury? Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
• Paralysis: Rehabilitation Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center

Patient Handouts

• Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis Medical Encyclopedia
• Hypokalemic periodic paralysis Medical Encyclopedia
• Muscle function loss Medical Encyclopedia

Teenagers

• Parenting Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center

Journal Articles

• Paralysis

Statistics and Research

• Stats About Paralysis Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center