Paralysis
Causes
Strokes and spinal cord injuries are the top causes of paralysis. Other causes include: Autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Brain injuries, including conditions like cerebral palsy.
Symptoms
- you cannot move some or all of your face or body.
- your face or body is weak or floppy.
- your face or body is numb, painful or tingles all the time.
- your face or body is stiff with muscle spasms and twitches.
Treatment
There isn’t a cure for permanent paralysis. The spinal cord can’t heal itself. Temporary paralysis like Bell’s palsy often goes away over time without treatment. Physical, occupational and speech therapy can accommodate paralysis and provide exercises, adaptive and assistive devices to improve function.10
Diagnosis
X-rays show broken bones that could cause nerve injury. Imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, check for signs of stroke or brain injury or spinal cord injury. A whole-body imaging scan shows bones, muscles and tissues. Myelogram checks for spinal cord and nerve injuries.
