US Medical Term · symptoms
Paralysis
Parálisis
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Paralysis |
| Spanish (Español) | Parálisis |
| Chinese (中文) | 癱瘓 |
| Korean (한국어) | 마비 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Liệt |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Paralisis |
| Portuguese (Português) | Paralisia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | อัมพาต |
| Japanese (日本語) | 麻痺 |
What it means
Paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function in one or more parts of the body, making normal movement impossible. It may affect an arm, leg, one entire side (hemiplegia), or all four limbs (quadriplegia). Causes include stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and brain tumors. Sudden paralysis — especially on one side of the body — is a medical emergency and the classic stroke warning sign. Call 911 immediately. Even if paralysis resolves on its own within minutes, it could indicate a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke), which requires urgent evaluation to prevent a full stroke. Do not wait.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I suddenly cannot move my right arm and leg — they are completely paralyzed.
De repente no puedo mover mi brazo y pierna derechos; están completamente paralizados.
She lost all movement on the left side of her body about twenty minutes ago.
Perdió todo movimiento en el lado izquierdo de su cuerpo hace unos veinte minutos.
After my spinal cord injury I am paralyzed from the waist down.
Después de mi lesión en la médula espinal estoy paralizado de la cintura para abajo.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
G83 Other paralytic syndromesRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026