Paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function for one or more muscle groups. It can cause loss of feeling or loss of mobility in the affected area. Disruption of communication of nerve impulses anywhere along the pathway from the brain to the muscles can impair control of muscle movement and cause muscle weakness and loss of coordination. Muscle weakness can progress to paralysis, loss of the ability to move the muscles.
It 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 the body, including both legs, is called paraplegia. Paralysis of the arms and legs is quadriplegia. Involvement of only one side is hemiplegia.
Paralysis is most often caused by damage in the nervous system, especially the spinal cord. Other major causes are stroke, trauma with nerve injury, poliomyelitis, botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), bell’s palsy, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Stroke and transient ischemic attack are common and potentially life-threatening causes of paralysis. Exposure to toxins and poisonings are also known to cause paralysis. The degree and extent of neurological deficit depend upon the location and extension of damage to the brain cells or nervous system. In certain cases along with motor deficits, disturbance of speech (aphasia or dysarthria) and loss of higher functions are also observed.
