Question 1

what is the treatment of flaccid paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Need detail: Your question can not be answered without knowing what is paralyses, how long the problem exists and what caused it. In general physical therapy can help.

Question 2

what can cause flaccid paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Flaccid: There are many causes of flaccid (loose) paralysis, starting with motor nerve synaptic malfunction (as in myasthenia), motor nerve damage (as in polio or other disorders), certain spinal cord lesions affecting motor control.  Rarely certain regions of the brain can also cause flaccid paralysis or weakness.  There are also some metabolic conditions. My suggestion is that you consult a neurologist.

Question 3

how does flaccid paralysis affect you?

Accepted Answer

Loose and floppy: Flaccid describes very low tone with limbs that are loose and floppy.  Spastic describes stiff and tight limbs that can have painful spasms.  Paralysis is just the lack of ability to move limbs when you want to.

Question 4

what increases risk for flaccid paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Flaccid: There are many causes of flaccid (loose) paralysis, starting with motor nerve synaptic malfunction (as in myasthenia), motor nerve damage (as in polio or other disorders), certain spinal cord lesions affecting motor control.  Rarely certain regions of the brain can also cause flaccid paralysis or weakness.  There are also some metabolic conditions. My suggestion is that you consult a neurologist.

Question 5

what are the differences between spastic and flaccid paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Amount of tone: The difference between the two is the tone in the limbs. In spastic paralysis the tone is increased, the upper limb is flexed the fingers contracted. The lower limb is somewhat stiff and may support ambulation. In flaccid paralysis tone is markedly reduced. The arm when held up drops, as does the leg; no resistance against gravity. The leg will not support ambulation even with an assistive device.

Question 6

what  treatments exist  for flaccid paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Flaccid: There are many causes of flaccid (loose) paralysis, starting with motor nerve synaptic malfunction (as in myasthenia), motor nerve damage (as in polio or other disorders), certain spinal cord lesions affecting motor control.  Rarely certain regions of the brain can also cause flaccid paralysis or weakness.  There are also some metabolic conditions. My suggestion is that you consult a neurologist.

Question 7

why do health agencies track  cases of flaccid paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Infections: The cdc (center for disease control) tracks flaccid paralysis, since many cases are related to infections.  Viral influenza and the mononucleosis virus epstein-barr can cause guillain-barre syndrome. West nile virus causes myelitis similar to polio. Tracking the spread of these conditions in the us helps identify the cause, develop vaccines and distribute treatments to affected areas.

Question 8

what are the differences between flaccid paralysis and spastic paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Spasticity: Both types of paralysis involve loss of voluntary motor function. However, in the spastic type, involuntary movements persist, such as with cerebral palsy.

Question 9

how does hypercalcemia cause flaccid paralysis? not described in my med books.

Accepted Answer

Hyperpolarization: Highly elevated ionized calcium can lead to a variety of symptoms, including dehydration, polyuria/polydipsia, confusion, constipation and sometimes pancreatitis. Asthenia and weakness are common and can progress to a flaccid paralysis. Cardiovascular effects include shortened qt, av block, and brady or tachydysrhythmias. Muscular effects are related to hyperpolarization caused by high calcium.

Question 10

can you tell me examples of when does one get spastic paralysis vs flaccid paralysis please?

Accepted Answer

Cord vs root: In general spastic paralysis results from an injury to the spinal cord and flaccid paralysis after an  injury downstream from the spinal cord, such as in the nerve root or peripheral nerve. The notable exception is in the early period after a spinal cord injury when there is "spinal shock" with flaccid paralysis.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

What is flaccid paralysis

A member asked:

What is the treatment of flaccid paralysis?

A member asked:

What can cause flaccid paralysis?

A member asked:

How does flaccid paralysis affect you?

A member asked:

What increases risk for flaccid paralysis?

A member asked:

What are the differences between spastic and flaccid paralysis?

A member asked:

What treatments exist for flaccid paralysis?

A member asked:

Why do health agencies track cases of flaccid paralysis?

A member asked:

What are the differences between flaccid paralysis and spastic paralysis?

A member asked:

How does hypercalcemia cause flaccid paralysis? not described in my med books.

A member asked:

Can you tell me examples of when does one get spastic paralysis vs flaccid paralysis please?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?