Paralysis vs. Palsy — What's the Difference?

Paralysis affecting the lower half of the body.

Present at birth due to brain damage.

Characterized by weak, floppy muscles without tone.

Sudden weakness in the muscles on one half of the face.

Loss of all muscle function in the affected area.

A group of disorders affecting balance and posture.

Spastic paralysis: Involves stiff and hard-to-move muscles.

Characterized by tremors and slow movement.

Some muscle function remains in the affected area.

Involves the peripheral nerves and can lead to facial paralysis.

Paralysis (also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor.

Palsy is a medical term which refers to various types of paralysis, often accompanied by weakness and the loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements such as shaking. The word originates from the Anglo-Norman paralisie, parleisie et al., from the accusative form of Latin paralysis, from Ancient Greek παράλυσις (parálusis), from παραλύειν (paralúein, “to disable on one side”), from παρά (pará, “beside”) + λύειν (lúein, “loosen”).

Loss or impairment of the ability to move a body part, usually as a result of damage to its nerve supply.

Complete or partial muscle paralysis, often accompanied by loss of sensation and uncontrollable body movements or tremors.

Loss of sensation over a region of the body.

A weakening or debilitating influence.

Inability to move or function; total stoppage or severe impairment of activity

An enfeebled condition or debilitated state thought to result from such an influence.

(pathology) The complete loss of voluntary control of part of a person's body, such as one or more limbs.

A fit of strong emotion marked by the inability to act

A state of being unable to act.

To paralyze.

Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See Hemiplegia, and Paraplegia. Also used figuratively; as, paralysis of the will.

To deprive of strength.

Loss of the ability to move a body part

To make helpless, as with fear.

(pathology) Complete or partial muscle paralysis of a body part, often accompanied by a loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements such as shaking.

To paralyse, either completely or partially.

(colloquial) Chummy, friendly.

Paralysis, complete or partial. See Paralysis.

To affect with palsy, or as with palsy; to deprive of action or energy; to paralyze.

Loss of the ability to move a body part

A condition marked by uncontrollable tremor

Affect with palsy

While some forms of paralysis are irreversible, many cases can be managed with physical therapy and technological aids.

Common types include Bell's palsy, cerebral palsy, and Parkinsonian palsy.

Bell's palsy is commonly caused by inflammation or viral infections that affect facial nerves.

It primarily affects body movement and muscle coordination.

Preventive measures depend on the type, but maintaining overall health can help reduce risks.

Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move one or more muscles, often resulting from damage to the nervous system.

Paralysis is a complete or partial loss of muscle function, whereas palsy usually involves tremors or involuntary movements.

The progression can be slow, and symptoms can be managed with medication and lifestyle adjustments.

Yes, tailored exercise programs can improve strength and coordination.

Not always; some cases, especially those caused by temporary conditions, can see partial or full recovery.

Support ranges from medical treatment to adaptive devices and community resources.

Cerebral palsy is a permanent condition, but therapy can improve function and mobility.

Peripheral palsy can affect any peripheral nerve, not just facial nerves like Bell's palsy.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and sometimes surgery are employed to manage symptoms.

Diagnosis typically involves neurological examinations and sometimes imaging tests to rule out other causes.