What causes paralysis?

Paralysis is a relatively serious disease. There are many reasons for paralysis, the two main factors are: one is related to the brain, and the other is related to the spine. The most common one is poliomyelitis, which is caused by poliomyelitis. In addition, encephalitis, cerebral edema, muscle weakness caused by food poisoning, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc., are all common causes of paralysis.

What causes paralysis?

Paralysis can occur when the cortical motor projection area, upper motor neuron pathways, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junctions or motor muscles themselves are damaged by lesions. Common causes include craniocerebral trauma, tumors, inflammation, cerebrovascular disease, degeneration, poisoning, and certain internal medicine diseases such as diabetes, porphyria, macrocytic anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. Common in the following diseases:

1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a life-threatening disease that causes spastic or flaccid paralysis of the body's major muscle groups. Gradually progresses to total paralysis. Early symptoms also include progressive muscle weakness, fasciculated tremors, and muscle atrophy, often starting in the hands and upper limbs. Spasticity and hyperreflexia are common. If the respiratory system is affected, breathing difficulties and respiratory depression may occur. Progressive cranial nerve palsies may cause dysarthria, dysphagia, drooling, choking, and difficulty chewing.

2. Bell's palsy

Bell's palsy is a transient, asymmetric facial paralysis caused by damage to the VIIth cranial nerve. The affected muscles atrophy and closing the eyes becomes difficult. Other manifestations include excessive tearing, drooling, and decreased or absent corneal reflexes.

3. Food poisoning

Bacteria and toxins can rapidly cause progressive muscle weakness, and paralysis may occur 2 to 4 days after consuming contaminated food. Paralysis of the respiratory muscles can lead to dyspnea and apnea. Early symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, unilateral mydriasis, dysarthria, and dysphagia.

4. Brain abscess

Progressive brain abscess in the frontal or temporal lobes may cause hemiplegia, and in the late stage may be accompanied by other manifestations such as visual impairment, anisocoria, impaired consciousness, ataxia, tremors, and signs of infection.

5. Brain tumor

Tumors of the motor nature of the frontal lobe may cause contralateral hemiplegia. Hemiplegia is progressive and can develop into persistent paralysis if not treated promptly. In the early stages, frontal headache and movement abnormalities may be the only manifestations. Eventually, epilepsy, aphasia, and increased intracranial pressure (impaired consciousness and vomiting) may occur.

6. Conversion Disorder

Hysterical paralysis is a classic manifestation of conversion disorder, which is characterized by loss of voluntary movement without a physical cause. Paralysis may affect multiple muscle groups, causing unpredictable movements that may be accompanied by histrionic behavior (manipulative, dramatic, irrational) or unusual apathy.

7. Encephalitis

Different types of paralysis may occur in the late stages of encephalitis. Early symptoms and signs include rapid loss of consciousness (coma), fever, headache, photophobia, vomiting, signs of meningeal irritation (neck stiffness, positive Kernig and Brudzinski signs), aphasia, ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, myoclonus, and seizures.

8. Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by rapidly progressive, irreversible paralysis that often begins with weakness of the lower limbs. It gradually progresses to symmetrical paralysis. Sometimes it can damage the cranial nerves, causing difficulty in swallowing, dysarthria, etc. Paralysis of the respiratory muscles can be fatal. It can also cause transient sensory confusion, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, sweating, and gastrointestinal and bladder dysfunction.

9. Head trauma

Brain damage can cause paralysis, lead to cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure, and occur suddenly. The location and characteristics of the injury vary depending on the injury. Other associated manifestations vary and may include confusion, sensory loss, headache, blurred or double vision, nausea, vomiting, or localized nerve damage.