Find Help for Emergency Paralysis

Paralysis is the inability to move your body’s muscles. It sometimes starts gradually with a loss of muscle coordination and weakness before full paralysis occurs. Paralysis can also be sudden, which is a medical emergency. In cases of sudden paralysis, call 9-1-1 and seek emergency care immediately. If treated promptly, sudden paralysis can sometimes be reversed. 

Dignity Health is here to help, all day, every day. We offer quick and efficient care for paralysis in the Bay Area at several local hospitals:

Paralysis Symptoms Beyond Movement Problems

If the cause of paralysis isn’t obvious — trauma from car accident injuries, for example — your doctor will need know about any other symptoms you’re experiencing to make a diagnosis. Be sure to mention any recent bites from snakes or insects, exposure to chemicals, food and water consumption, and illnesses. 

Other symptoms that may occur along with sudden paralysis include: 

  • Confusion
  • Drooping face
  • Fever
  • Headache, which may be severe
  • Loss of consciousness, even if very brief
  • Memory loss
  • Numbness 
  • Problems with balance or walking
  • Problems speaking or understanding speech
  • Vision problems

Paralysis Causes Treated at Dignity Health 

If the cause of sudden paralysis is not obvious, your doctor may order additional tests, including:

Sudden paralysis can be a symptom of:

  • Brain hemorrhage (bleeding)
  • Chemical or electrolyte imbalances
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder possibly triggered by an infection
  • Infections, including tetanus and West Nile disease 
  • Toxins, such as venom and poisons
  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke
  • Trauma, including spinal cord injury

Your care team at Dignity Health’s Bay Area hospitals will work to quickly diagnose the cause and provide treatment.

Dignity Health offers a complete range of care for paralysis in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.