Paralysis is the partial or complete lack of movement and sensation in one or more body parts, and is the result of spinal cord injury, as well as of certain diseases and disorders.

Causes of Paralysis

Common causes of paralysis include trauma, such as those that result from:

• Automobile accidents
• Sports-related accidents
• Falls
• Assaults and other violence

Other causes of paralysis include:

• Stroke
• Poliomyelitis
• Peroneal Dystrophy 
• Spina Bifida
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
• Bell's Palsy
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Botulism
• Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
• Poisoning

Effects of Paralysis

Paralysis can be complete, meaning that there is a complete loss of movement and sensation to the affected areas; or it can be incomplete, which means there is partial loss of movement and sensation to the affected areas.

Types of Paralysis

Paraplegia and quadriplegia are the two most common types of paralysis. Paraplegia results in the loss of feeling and movement, to some degree, of the legs. Quadriplegia, also sometimes called tetraplegia, is paralysis to all four limbs.

Other kinds of paralysis include:

• Hemiplegia
• Alternating hemiplegia
• Tick paralysis
• Todd's paralysis
• Periodic paralysis
• Sleep paralysis
• Partial paralysis
• Facial paralysis
• Flaccid paralysis
• Monoplegia
• Diplegia

Prognosis of Paralysis

The prognosis of paralysis depends upon the severity of the injury or disease, as well as what part of the spinal cord or brain is affected. Early rehabilitation is key to the best possible long-term outcome.