Paralysis

You may have paralysis if:

• 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

This can start suddenly or gradually, or come and go.

Paralysis can be a symptom of many different conditions that affect the muscles and nerves.

Common causes of paralysis include:

• a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or "mini-stroke") or stroke (paralysis in 1 half of the face with arm weakness)
• a head injury
• a spinal cord (back) injury
• Bell's palsy (paralysis in 1 half of the face)
• multiple sclerosis

Sometimes paralysis can be temporary, like having sleep paralysis, or long-term, like muscular dystrophy.

It can also be caused by a brain tumour or certain types of cancer like head or neck cancer.

You or someone else has paralysis or weakness that:

• started gradually
• is getting slowly worse
• comes and goes

Treatment for paralysis will depend on what's causing it.

Temporary paralysis may go away on its own without medical treatment.

Things that can help people with paralysis include:

• physiotherapy to maintain strength and muscle mass
• occupational therapy to adapt to everyday tasks like getting dressed
• medicines to relieve problems such as pain, stiffness and muscle spasms

The main symptom of paralysis is not being able to move parts or all of your body. This can include the face or body feeling weak, numb or painful.

Paralysis can be caused by many conditions such as a stroke, back or head injury, bells palsy or multiple sclerosis.

Treatment for paralysis depends on what is causing it. Things that can help include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and medicines.