The prominent conditions that lead to paralysis are:. Paralysis is sudden and is often a side effect of injury to the brain or spinal cord. Sometimes a stroke or cancerous cells pressing against the brain cells can also cause paralysis. The most common symptoms of paralysis are spam, loss of sensation in arms and legs, reduced muscle function, reduced motor functions, and losing the ability to talk. Stroke is the most prominent cause of paralysis.
Other causes of paralysis include cerebral palsy, post-polio syndrome, brain and spinal cord injuries, neurofibromatosis and conditions that are present by birth. While a few forms of paralysis let the patient continue to lead a normal life, there are a few that can cause severe complications.
The dependence on crutches, wheelchairs, full-time nursing and a lot of other factors can increase significantly. The most common complications are chest pains, high blood pressure, and depression. Sex life and fertility are affected differently in men and women. In men, it becomes difficult for them to maintain a psychogenic erection as an erection stimulated by thoughts would require the nerves above the spine to send the signals. In high-level cases of partial paralysis and all the cases of complete paralysis, a psychogenic erection is not possible.
However, the penis sometimes becomes erect in response to a touch, maintaining the erection for prolonged periods might be challenging. In women, the sex drive does is not affected by partial or complete paralysis. However, few women might experience a reduced drive because of their appearance or having to use a bladder or bowel control system. In women, however, the vagina does not lubricate itself upon arousal as the nerves responsible for this are above T6.
As an alternative, water-based lubricants like KY jelly can be used. There is currently no cure to paralysis, however, there are multiple options available in terms of extensive care and mobility that could improve the lives of patients with partial paralysis. Patients suffering from partial paralysis in the legs, with good upper body strength can use manual wheelchairs to commute short distances while people with less upper body strength can use electric wheelchairs.
Cars can also be retro-fitted to suit the needs of the specially-abled. The accelerator and brake pedals can be replaced with levers while the steering wheel can be customised to an extent where it can be manoeuvred using a wrist instead of relying on fingers to grip it.
Patients suffering from locked-in syndrome can use specially adapted computers to make small sentences or improve the form of current communication. Exercise and regular physiotherapy have seen positive results in patients suffering from partial or complete paralysis either in hands or legs. In a few cases, with exercise, patients have been successful in recovering sensation and motor functions in one of the two affected limbs.
Depending on the nature of the condition, brain and spinal cord surgeries can help treat the condition by reducing the size of the swelling. In the treatment regime, the patient must continue the medication course without any hindrance as these medications help prevent any onset of viral or bacterial infections.
Paralysis in quadriplegia and locked-in syndrome causes respiratory distress. In such conditions, the patients can either choose to rely on non-invasive or invasive ventilators. This should be acted upon only after consulting a medical practitioner. What is Paralysis? Paralysis is a condition where the muscles of a certain body part lose sensation and its functions. Paralysis is often a side effect of a stroke or a cancerous tumour pressing against the brain or spinal cord.
In most cases though, it is also when the body sustain serious injuries to the back of the brain. What is the life expectancy of a person suffering from quadriplegia? Earlier, the life expectancy of a patient with Paralysis was 29, however, this has come up to Most patients are still able to drive to work, use alternatives and depend on crutches and wheelchairs to resume normal day to day activities. Can paralysis be prevented?
Paralysis that is caused in early childhood as a side effect of a polio infection can be avoided by getting the baby vaccinated. That said, the other forms of paralysis are mostly as a side effect to a reaction happening in the brain or spinal cord. What are the secondary effects of paralysis? The secondary side effects of paralysis are depression, reduced sex drive, complications in conceiving, respiratory distress, muscle weakness, nerve damage, joint pains, inflammation in the skin, severe headaches, and chest pains.
Images may need to be taken of the spine. This can be done with: Nerve conduction study Somatosensory evoked potentials rarely used Treatment Emergency care will be needed. It can prevent further damage. Choices are: Steroids and other medicines to lessen damage to nerves and nearby tissue Surgery to stabilize the spine or ease pressure on it Therapy Therapy will be needed to improve function and quality of life. Choices are: Physical therapy—to improve strength and learn how to use assistive devices Occupational therapy—to help with daily tasks and self care Speech therapy—to help with swallowing and speech Psychological therapy—to provide support Prevention Paraplegia is often due to accidents that cannot be prevented.
Trauma: Spinal Cord Injury. Surg Clin North Am. Cancer Care. Emergency Services. Cesarean Birth. Imaging Services. High Blood Pressure. Laboratory Services. Maternity Services. Hip Replacement. Primary Care. Type 2 Diabetes. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.
On this page Basics Summary Start Here. See, Play and Learn No links available. Resources Find an Expert. 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. Start Here.
Living With. Paralysis below the neck, including both arms and legs, is called quadriplegia. Your ability to control your limbs after a spinal cord injury depends on two factors: where the injury occurred on your spinal cord and the severity of injury.
The lowest part of your spinal cord that remains undamaged after an injury is referred to as the neurological level of your injury. The severity of the injury is often called "the completeness" and is classified as either of the following:. Your health care team will perform a series of tests to determine the neurological level and completeness of your injury. Anyone who has significant trauma to the head or neck needs immediate medical evaluation for a spinal injury.
In fact, it's safest to assume that trauma victims have a spinal injury until proved otherwise because:. The spinal cord extends downward from the base of your brain. It's made up of nerve cells and groups of nerves that carry messages between your brain and the rest of your body.
Spinal cord injuries can result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments or disks of the spinal column or to the spinal cord itself. A traumatic spinal cord injury can stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae.
It can also result from a gunshot or knife wound that penetrates and cuts your spinal cord. Additional damage usually occurs over days or weeks because of bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid accumulation in and around your spinal cord.
A nontraumatic spinal cord injury can be caused by arthritis, cancer, inflammation, infections or disk degeneration of the spine. The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The spinal cord is made of soft tissue and surrounded by bones vertebrae.
It extends down from the base of your brain and contains nerve cells and groups of nerves called tracts, which go to different parts of your body.
The lower end of your spinal cord stops a little above your waist in the region called the conus medullaris. Below this region is a group of nerve roots called the cauda equina. Tracts in your spinal cord carry messages between your brain and the rest of your body.
Motor tracts carry signals from your brain to control muscle movement. Sensory tracts carry signals from body parts to your brain relating to heat, cold, pressure, pain and the position of your limbs.
Whether the cause is traumatic or nontraumatic, the damage affects the nerve fibers passing through the injured area and can impair part of or all the muscles and nerves below the injury site. A chest thoracic or lower back lumbar injury can affect your torso, legs, bowel and bladder control, and sexual function. A neck cervical injury affects the same areas in addition to affecting movements of your arms and, possibly, your ability to breathe.
Although a spinal cord injury is usually the result of an accident and can happen to anyone, certain factors can predispose you to being at higher risk of having a spinal cord injury, including:. At first, changes in the way your body functions can be overwhelming.
However, your rehabilitation team will help you develop tools to address the changes caused by the spinal cord injury, in addition to recommending equipment and resources to promote quality of life and independence.
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