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Paralysis is when you are not able to move some or all your body. It can be temporary or permanent depending on what causes it.

You may have paralysis if:

• you cannot move some or all of your face or body
• your face or body is weak or floppy
• your face or body is numb, painful or tingles all the time
• your face or body is stiff with muscle spasms and twitches

This can start suddenly or gradually, or come and go.

Call 999 if:

Paralysis can be a symptom of many different conditions that affect the muscles and nerves.

Common causes of paralysis include:

• a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or "mini-stroke") or stroke (paralysis in 1 half of the face with arm weakness)
• a head injury
• a spinal cord (back) injury
• Bell's palsy (paralysis in 1 half of the face)
• multiple sclerosis

Sometimes paralysis can be temporary, like having sleep paralysis, or long-term, like muscular dystrophy.

It can also be caused by a brain tumour or certain types of cancer like head or neck cancer.

See a GP if:

Treatment for paralysis will depend on what's causing it.

Temporary paralysis may go away on its own without medical treatment.

Things that can help people with paralysis include:

• physiotherapy to maintain strength and muscle mass
• occupational therapy to adapt to everyday tasks like getting dressed
• medicines to relieve problems such as pain, stiffness and muscle spasms