There are certain features of a paralysis that are worth noting. First, is it really a paralysis or is it a weakness of facial movement or numbness in the face. Sensation of the face is transmitted by the trigeminal nerve while movement of the face is transmitted by the facial nerve and is the subject of our discussion. Is the entire face on one side weak? If the weakness involves the entire face including eyebrow motion, the problem can be isolated to the facial nerve. If the mid-face and lower-face are paralyzed but eyebrow motion is normal, then the problem may be isolated to regions within the brain, where the facial nerve fibers run. Associated weakness of the arm or leg would also point to a problem within the brain possible affecting other nerves. Is it a weakness or a complete paralysis of the face? This is an important distinction and will be discussed further.

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Paralysis symptoms. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

Some causes of sudden paralysis include:

1. Stroke
2. Transient ischemic attack
3. Head injury
4. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
5. Hysteria
6. Spinal cord injury
7. Arterial blockage

Some causes of slow-onset paralysis include:

1. Nerve compression
2. Nerve entrapment
3. Tumors
4. Brain tumor
5. Multiple sclerosis
6. Muscular dystrophy
7. Guillain-Barre syndrome
8. Vitamin B12 deficiency
9. Motor neurone disease
10. Poliomyelitis

Psychological disorders that may cause paralysis type symptoms include:

1. Parasomnias
2. Depersonalization disorders

Causes of specific types of paralysis depend on the location:

1. See facial paralysis