Define Paralysis Research Paper

Definition Paralysis is the loss of the power to move a part of the body due to injury or disease of the nerves that supply the muscles involved in moving that part of the body.
The key points in this definition are firstly that paralysis refers to a loss of movement rather than just weakness, and secondly that the problem originates in the nerves to the muscles rather than in the muscles themselves. The severity of the paralysis is indicated in medical terminology by the word endings: plegia and paresis. Plegia signifies loss of power, i.e. true paralysis; while paresis refers to a significant weakening of the affected muscle(s). The part or parts of the body which are paralysed (-plegic) or very weak (-paretic) are identified
Major causes are stroke, trauma, poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), botulism, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Temporary paralysis occurs during REM sleep, and dysregulation of this system can lead to episodes of waking paralysis. Drugs that interfere with nerve function, such as curare, can also cause paralysis. Many causes of this are varied, and could also be unknown. Paralysis is caused by something being wrong with the nerves that activate muscles. Another word for nerve is neurone. The nerves that send the electrical messages, or impulses, to muscles to make them move or contract are called motor neurones. When we move a part of our body two types of motor neurone are involved in getting the relevant muscles to move: the upper and lower neurones. The upper motor neurone conveys the impulse from the brain to lower down in the nervous system where it connects with the lower motor neurone. The lower motor neurone then provides the final path for the signal to reach the
Upper motor neurone damage causes an increased tightening up of the muscles. This is called spasticity lower motor neurone damage leads to a reduction in, or loss of, the normal tone in the muscles. This paralysis, which is characterised by slack or floppy muscles, is sometimes called flaccidity. Conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord result in upper motor neurone paralysis. Some common examples are stroke, tumours, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, and severe trauma or injury to the head, neck or back. Damage to the right side of the brain causes paralysis of the left side of the body and vice versa. When upper motor neurone damage occurs in the spinal cord it tends to involve both sides of the body. Lower motor neurone damage resulting in flaccid paralysis is less common. This can occur when an injury to a limb involves the nerve on its course to the muscles it supplies - for example an injury to the upper arm could lead to a loss of movement in the forearm and hand.