It is an alarming symptom thats hard to ignore.

After weeks or months, painful spasticityabnormal muscle tightnesscan develop in the paralyzed limb.

Complete weakness of part of the body is called “plegia.”

Person in wheelchair affected by paralysis

Sean Anthony Eddy / Getty Images

What Medications Cause Paralysis?

In general, medications dont usually cause paralysis as a side effect.

Some medications used for surgical anesthesia are muscle paralytics that temporarily paralyze the muscles during surgery.

The paralytic effects are temporary, and strength should return once the medication is stopped.

How to Treat Paralysis

Paralysis can be treated with several medical interventions.

The short-term treatment involves treating the cause.

Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Paralysis?

If youve experienced paralysis, you will need a thorough medical evaluation.

The difference will be apparent based on your physical examination.

It is a serious symptom that can affect one or more areas of the body.

The pattern of paralysis often corresponds to the cause.

Generally, diagnostic testing is necessary.

Treatment can often reduce long-term weakness, and rehabilitation is usually necessary.

Paralysis is a symptom of serious neurological conditions.

You will need to have medical treatment to prevent the condition causing it from worsening.

Paralysis is serious, but you might have a good outcome with consistent rehabilitation and medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves can cause paralysis.

Nutritional deficits should not cause paralysis.

But these issues rarely cause the key in of loss of motor control thats characteristic of paralysis.

Paralysis can sometimes improve on its own, but it usually does not.

In fact, paralysis can often worsen if the cause is not adequately treated.

Paralysis might not be noticeable to other people, but sometimes it is very noticeable.

It can look like a droopy face or a floppy arm or leaning to one side.

Sometimes leg paralysis can cause a sudden fall.