When you are unable to make voluntary muscle movements, you are said to be paralyzed. Paralysis is caused by a nervous system problem.
Nerves that are not injured send signals to muscles. These signals cause muscles to contract. When you are paralyzed, you are unable to move certain parts of your body.
Some people experience temporary paralysis and eventually regain partial or full movement. Bell's palsy, for example, temporarily paralyzes facial muscles. Palsy refers to paralysis accompanied by tremors.
You will never regain muscle control if you are paralyzed permanently. The condition is permanent. Any part of the body can be affected by paralysis. It could be:
- Partial (paresis): You can control some but not all of your muscles.
- You have no control over any of your muscles.
- Paralysis can also be classified into two types based on the location of the injury in the nervous system:
- Flaccidity occurs when your muscles become flabby and shrink.
- Spasticity occurs when muscles tighten, resulting in uncontrollable jerks and spasms (spasticity).
A small section of the body is affected by localized paralysis. The face, hands, feet, and vocal cords are the most commonly affected areas. Paralysis is caused by a nervous system problem. The nervous system is the command and communication system of your body. It communicates with your body by sending signals from your brain. Messages to muscles cannot be transmitted if the nervous system is damaged.
