Editing Paralysis (section)

==Causes==
Paralysis is most often caused by damage in the [[nervous system]], especially the [[spinal cord]]. Other major causes are [[stroke]], [[Physical trauma|trauma]] with [[nerve injury]], [[poliomyelitis]], [[cerebral palsy]], [[peripheral neuropathy]], [[Parkinson's disease]], [[ALS]], [[botulism]], [[spina bifida]], [[multiple sclerosis]] and [[Guillain–Barré syndrome]]. Incidents that can cause such damage include [[Slip and fall|slip and fall accidents]], [[motor vehicle accidents]], [[Assault|assaults]], [[Gunshot wound|gunshot wounds]], industrial accidents and [[Sports injury|sports injuries]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-23 |title=Causes of Catastrophic Paralysis Injuries |url=https://thetexaslawdog.com/blog/causes-of-catastrophic-paralysis-injuries/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |website=Aulsbrook |language=en}}</ref> Temporary paralysis occurs during [[REM sleep]], and dysregulation of this system can lead to episodes of [[sleep paralysis|waking paralysis]]. Drugs that interfere with [[action potential|nerve function]], such as [[curare]], can also cause paralysis.

''Pseudoparalysis'' (''pseudo-'' meaning "false, not genuine", from Greek ψεῦδος<ref>{{harvnb|Liddell|Scott|1940|loc=[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3Dyeu%3Ddos ψεῦδος]}}</ref>) is voluntary restriction or inhibition of motion because of pain, incoordination, orgasm, or other cause, and is not due to actual muscular paralysis.<ref>[http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/pseudoparalysis TheFreeDictionary > pseudoparalysis], in turn citing The American Heritage Medical Dictionary 2007, 2004</ref> In an infant, it may be a symptom of [[congenital syphilis]].<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Workowski KA, Berman SM |date=August 2006 |title=Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006 |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5511a1.htm |journal=MMWR Recomm Rep |volume=55 |issue=RR–11 |pages=1–94 |pmid=16888612 |quote=... evidence of congenital syphilis (e.g., nonimmune hydrops, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, rhinitis, skin rash, and/or pseudoparalysis of an extremity).}}</ref> Pseudoparalysis can be caused by extreme mental stress and is a common feature of mental disorders such as [[panic anxiety|panic anxiety disorder]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=anxiety-panic.com |url=http://anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dictp.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730202939/http://anxiety-panic.com/dictionary/en-dictp.htm |archive-date=2018-07-30 |access-date=2017-06-06 |website=anxiety-panic.com}}</ref>