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Paralysis is a clinical condition that results in the loss of muscle movement in the body. Although muscle weakness, poisoning, infections and accidents can lead to paralysis; there are lesser known medical conditions that can cause this disease as well. Here are the top five conditions that could lead to paralysis:
Cerebral palsy: It is a neurological condition affecting a child's co-ordination and movement. Spastic quadriplegia is a severe type of cerebral palsy that causes high degree of muscle stiffness in a person affected with it leading to total paralysis.
Lyme disease: This is a bacterial infection transmitted through infected ticks. These small insects while feeding on mammals (including humans) release the bacteria into a person's blood. This parasite then causes nerve damage leading to temporary facial paralysis.
Cancer: Usually seen in cases where a person is suffering from a high grade brain tumor (cancer of the brain), this type of cancer often leads to one side of the body being paralyzed. Apart from that, cancers that spread to the brain or spinal cord from any other part of the body can also cause paralysis.
Motor neuron disease: This is a rare neuro-degenerative disease (nerves present in the brain and spine lose function over time) affecting the motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movements. This disease causes progressive muscle weakness leading to paralysis of the entire body.
Myelomeningocele: One of the most severe type of spina bifida (a clinical condition that affects the development of nervous system and spine since birth), this condition affects a person's nervous system resulting in partial or total paralysis of lower limbs permanently.
References:
Paralysis - Causes of paralysis NHS Choices Medical Reference
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