Paralysis FAQs
1. What is the definition of paralysis?
2. What are the different types of paralysis?
3. What are some causes of paralysis?
4. What is Bell’s Palsy? 5.
How does paralysis from spinal cord injury affect the skin?
1. What is the definition of paralysis?
Paralysis is defined as the loss of voluntary movement
(motor function). Paralysis that affects only one muscle or
limb is partial paralysis, also known as palsy; paralysis of
all muscles is total paralysis.
Back to Top 2. What
are the different types of paralysis?
The types of paralysis are classified by region:
- Monoplegia - affecting only one limb
- Diplegia - affecting the same body region on both sides
of the body (both arms, for example)
- Hemiplegia - affecting one side of the body
- Paraplegia - affecting both legs and the trunk
- Quadriplegia - affecting all four limbs and the trunk
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3. What are some causes of paralysis?
The nerve damage that causes paralysis may be in the brain
or spinal cord. The most common causes are:
- stroke
- tumor
- trauma
- multiple sclerosis
- cerebral palsy
- metabolic disorder
- herniated, ruptured or slipped disk
- spondylosis
- rheumatoid arthritis of the spine
- neurodegenerative disease
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- radiation
- toxins or poisons
- spinal cord injury
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4. What is Bell’s Palsy?
Bell's palsy is a condition that causes the facial
muscles to weaken or become paralyzed. It is best
described as a trauma to the nerve, and is not
permanent. Older people are more likely to be afflicted,
but children are not immune to it. Diabetics are more
than 4 times more likely to develop Bell's palsy than
the average person. The quality and duration of recovery
is dependent on the severity of the initial injury.
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5. How does paralysis from spinal
cord injury affect the skin?
Paralysis due to spinal cord injury reduces or
eliminates skin sensation in dermatomes below the injury
site. Because people cannot feel or move, they may sit
or lie for extended periods of time on one part of their
body. Pressure impedes blood flow in the skin. Absence
of sensation, loss of muscle padding, and long periods
of pressure can lead to skin breakdown and development
of pressure sores.
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