Paralysis occurs when a person receives a severe spinal injury or suffers from a severe neurological disorder. Paralysis means the person cannot move, feel or control the affected body part. Paralysis can affect different areas of the body or the entire body.
Spinal injuries can happen when a person is:
- assaulted
- physically abused
- involved in an automobile or motorcycle accident
- slips and falls
- hits their head while diving into a pool
- falls from heights
- otherwise injures the spine
The area of the spine that is damaged determines the areas of the body that are affected. For example, the higher the damage, the greater the extent of paralysis. Spinal cord nerves control breathing, movement, bowel movement, sexual feeling, blood pressure and other essential functions. When a person is paralyzed, he or she loses the ability to control these functions.
Neurological disorders like Cerebral Palsy, Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD) and strokes can cause paralysis as well. Neurological disorders attack the brain, spinal cord and the nerves that control movement and essential functions. People who suffer from neurological disorders range in paralysis severity, from those with Bell’s Palsy who experience temporary facial paralysis to those with CJD who experience a complete loss of control towards the final stages of their disease.
The causes of neurological disorders are difficult to determine. Some are genetic, some develop because of poor health conditions like smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity, and others are caused at by trauma at birth or during the early childhood years.
Many people with paralysis continue to lead happy lives. Extensive therapy (both physical and mental) and medication is necessary to maintain muscle health and overall health. Mechanical devices have been invented, and continue to be invented, to assist people in their daily activities.
Tags:
assault,
car accident,
motorcycle accident,
neurological disease,
neurological disorder,
paralysis,
trauma
