Paralysis

A paralysis or more Paralysis mostly refer to an inability to move in various parts of the body, such as arms and legs. Above all, the muscles that make the body's motor skills function are paralyzed.

What is paralysis?

The causes of paralysis are manifold. The main causes, however, are inflammation of the nerves, muscle inflammation, infections and accidents.

Paralysis and symptoms of paralysis are called paralysis, peresis or plegia, depending on the type. This almost always affects the muscles in the various parts of the body, which then no longer function normally due to paralysis. This means that people's movements, gestures and body mechanisms can no longer be unconsciously or consciously controlled (e.g. walking, running, laughing).

Paralysis can also occur suddenly if, for example, important motor organs or body parts fail as a result of a stroke, an accident or idiopathic facial nerve palsy. Illnesses are also partly responsible for a rather slow onset and progressive paralysis. This includes muscular dystrophies or polyneuropathies.

causes

The causes of paralysis are manifold. The main causes, however, are inflammation of the nerves, muscle inflammation, infections and accidents. But also congenital diseases of the muscles, such as muscular dystrophies and neurological diseases, can be identified as the cause. All causes are the same, but they are disorders of the motor skills of the muscles.

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➔ Medicines against muscle paralysis

Diseases with this symptom

• stroke
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Brain tumor
• arteriosclerosis
• Sciatic pain

• Lyme disease
• multiple sclerosis
• Ptosis
• Circulatory disorders
• Arterial Disease

• poliomyelitis
• disc prolapse
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome
• botulism
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Complications

Paralysis has a wide variety of complications, depending on the cause. For example, a stroke (apoplexy) can clearly cause symptoms of paralysis. Depending on the location of the stroke, characteristic symptoms appear. This can lead to typical failures in speech and thinking, or to motor or sensitive failures.

With some strokes, the affected person does not notice anything, while most of them need care afterwards. In Parkinson's, the disease can also lead to a need for care. Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) can also cause paralysis. Complications here are the spread of the inflammation to other parts of the brain or even water retention, leading to cerebral edema, which leads to nausea and dizziness.

Further consequences of encephalitis usually occur late, these mainly concern a change in behavior and personality. Other infectious diseases such as borreliosis or syphilis also affect the nervous system and lead to paralysis. The consequences of these diseases are life-threatening, severe damage to the nervous system.

Multiple sclerosis can also show signs of paralysis over time. The disease can lead to severe disabilities, as well as muscle weakness and the need for care. Classic polio (poliomyelitis) leads to life-threatening symptoms of paralysis, but only occurs in every hundred people. Late complications after surviving an infection can include weakness and muscle wasting.

When should you go to the doctor?

In the case of paralysis, the question does not arise of whether to consult a doctor. More important is the question of how quickly the affected person has to be presented to a doctor. The case is particularly serious with left-sided paralysis of the body. If the person concerned can only smile crookedly and no longer lift their left arm properly, it is very likely a stroke.

In many cases, doctors can restore full health if the sleep attack can be treated within minutes. The person concerned must be made quiet and an ambulance must be called immediately. Paralysis of individual body parts, on the other hand, is often not a matter of minutes, but it cannot be left untreated. In the simplest cases, the doctor determines that a nerve has been pinched and the problem can be remedied very quickly.

In the worst case, something is getting on the nerve and it has to be found out what it is. However, a visit to the doctor is necessary even for mild cases of paralysis and also when it occurs for the first time. Most people will go to the doctor voluntarily if they have any type of paralysis because it is very worrying not to be able to move a part of the body as usual and because they know that there can be serious illnesses behind it.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

If paralysis occurs suddenly and quickly, a doctor should be consulted immediately. It is not uncommon for the paralysis to be caused by a serious illness (e.g. a stroke in the case of spontaneous facial paralysis).

The doctor will then want to know the circumstances, the time and the exact symptoms of the paralysis. Pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis or arteriosclerosis) and medication taken should also be mentioned to the doctor.

Then the actual physical examination is started. This examination usually includes a detailed analysis of the paralysis and a blood sample. Neurological dysfunctions, which are often associated with reduced muscle strength, restricted mobility and abnormal reflexes, are also checked by the doctor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRT), computed tomography (CT), electromyography (EMG), electroneurography (ENG), muscle biopsy (muscle sampling) and other medical options can also be used to further diagnose and find the cause of the paralysis. If necessary, the examination by an ophthalmologist or ear, nose and throat doctor can be added to the further range of diagnostics.

If the final correct cause is found, an individually adapted treatment or therapy is initiated. Since most of the paralysis (around 80%) is facial paralysis without an identifiable cause (facial paralysis or facial paralysis), no further treatment is usually required, as these paralysis symptoms almost always resolve independently within six weeks.

If the paralysis occurs due to inflammation of the neck, muscle inflammation or infections, the recovery can be supported with the help of antibiotics. In the rare cases of brain tumors, which are also symptomatically characterized by paralysis, chemotherapy, surgery or other radiation treatment is always necessary.

If, however, the cause of the paralysis is neurological, the paralysis can almost no longer be completely reversed. So far there are no definitive cures for known nerve and muscle diseases such as multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Only soothing measures of physiotherapy, massages, baths and electrical treatments can slow down the paralysis somewhat, as the desolate areas are stimulated by additional blood circulation.

Outlook & forecast

In the case of paralysis, universal prognoses cannot usually be given. Here, the further course of the disease depends heavily on the type and cause of the paralysis. In most cases, paralysis restricts the patient's everyday life to a relatively large extent. Ordinary movements are no longer possible, and going to work can be prevented by the paralysis. The quality of life decreases very sharply and can also lead to depression or other psychological problems. In addition to paralysis, there is often dizziness or a feeling of nausea. Inflammation in the brain is often responsible for this.

Paralysis can also occur after a tick bite. In this case, immediate medical treatment is necessary to prevent severe damage to the nervous system.

The treatment is carried out differently depending on the paralysis and does not always lead to success. Especially after a stroke, paralysis can still persist and not resolve completely. The same is true for spinal cord injuries. If the paralysis occurs only briefly and is not particularly severe, it can be treated relatively well and thus the spread of the paralysis can be prevented.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines against muscle paralysis

You can do that yourself

As a rule, paralysis cannot be completely treated by means of self-help. However, stress should always be avoided in the case of paralysis. If it is known that a stressful situation can arise, more time must be planned for the patient.

Permanent movement of the joints and extremities is important for those affected. Even if these are only moved passively, the mobility of the muscle parts can be preserved and is not completely restricted by the paralysis. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy measures can perform the necessary movement sequences and lead to the alleviation of the symptoms. In some cases, the patient can also do certain exercises himself. Even if these exercises have little or no success in the beginning, a strong will is necessary to combat the paralysis. In any case, the support of friends, family and your own partner is necessary here.

Often, some physiotherapy exercises can be done at home. Exercises that promote blood circulation are particularly suitable. A hot bath can also stimulate blood circulation, as can electrical treatments or massages. In addition to physical treatment, the patient should also communicate with other people suffering from paralysis. This can strengthen the psyche.