Introduction
Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move some or all of your body.
It can have lots of different causes, some of which can be serious. Depending on the cause, it may be temporary or permanent.
The main symptom of paralysis is the inability to move part of your body, or not being able to move at all.
It can start suddenly or gradually. Sometimes it comes and goes.
Paralysis can affect any part of the body, including:
- the face
- the hands
- one arm or leg (monoplegia)
- one side of the body (hemiplegia)
- both legs (paraplegia)
- both arms and legs (tetraplegia or quadriplegia)
The affected part of your body may also be:
- stiff (spastic paralysis), with occasional muscle spasms
- floppy (flaccid paralysis)
- numb, painful or tingly
A GP can do some tests if you have paralysis or weakness that:
- started gradually
- is getting slowly worse
- comes and goes
They may refer you to a hospital specialist for more tests if they're unsure what's causing your symptoms.
Call 999 for an ambulance if you or someone else has paralysis or weakness that:
- starts suddenly
- starts after a serious injury, such as a fall ↗ or car crash
- causes problems with speech, breathing or swallowing
These problems could be a sign of something serious that needs to be treated in hospital straight away.
There are many possible causes of paralysis.
Do not try to identify the cause yourself. See a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
Main causes
Some of the main causes of paralysis are:
- sudden weakness on one side of the face, with arm weakness or slurred speech – a stroke ↗ or transient ischaemic attack (TIA or "mini-stroke") ↗
- sudden weakness on one side of the face, with earache ↗ or face pain – Bell's palsy ↗
- temporary paralysis when waking up or falling asleep – sleep paralysis ↗
- paralysis after a serious accident or injury – a severe head injury ↗ or spinal cord (back) injury
- weakness in the face, arms or legs that comes and goes – multiple sclerosis ↗ or, less commonly, myasthenia gravis ↗ or hypokalaemia periodic paralysis
Other causes
Other causes of paralysis include:
- gradual weakness on one side of the body – a brain tumour ↗
- gradual weakness in the legs – hereditary spastic paraplegia ↗, Friedreich's ataxia ↗ or muscular dystrophy ↗
- gradual weakness in the arms and legs – motor neurone disease ↗, spinal muscular atrophy ↗ or Lambert-Eaton mysathenic syndrome ↗
- paralysis in the legs that spreads to the arms and face over a few days or weeks – Guillain-Barré syndrome ↗
- paralysis from birth – cerebral palsy ↗, spina bifida ↗ or spinal muscular atrophy
- paralysis that starts in the weeks, months or years after a tick bite – Lyme disease ↗
- paralysis that starts many years after a polio infection – post-polio syndrome ↗
- gradual weakness in parts of the face – a tumour on a nerve, melanoma ↗ skin cancer or head and neck cancer ↗
Paralysis can have a big impact on your life, but support is available to help you live as independently as you can and have the best possible quality of life.
The help you need will largely depend on what's causing your paralysis.
Some of the things that can help people who are paralysed include:
- mobility equipment ↗ – such as wheelchairs and limb supports (braces)
- physiotherapy ↗ to help you maintain as much strength and muscle mass as you can
- occupational therapy ↗ to help adapt your home so everyday tasks like dressing and cooking are easier
- medicines to relieve problems such as pain, stiffness and muscle spasms
For more information about the help and support available, see: