*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Paralysis

Paralysis is when you are not able to move some or all your body. It can be temporary or permanent depending on what causes it.

Symptoms of paralysis

You may have paralysis if:

This can start suddenly or gradually, or come and go.

You or someone else has paralysis or weakness:

that happened suddenly
after a injury to the head, neck or back
that causes problems with speech, breathing or swallowing
that affects 1 side of the face (your face may droop on 1 side) or 1 arm (you may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there)
and cannot feel part or all of your face and body, and you feel tingling

These problems could be a sign of something serious that needs to be treated in hospital straight away.

Paralysis can be a symptom of many different conditions that affect the muscles and nerves.

Common causes of paralysis include:

a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or "mini-stroke") or stroke (paralysis in 1 half of the face with arm weakness)
a head injury
a spinal cord (back) injury
Bell's palsy (paralysis in 1 half of the face)
multiple sclerosis

Sometimes paralysis can be temporary, like having sleep paralysis, or long-term, like muscular dystrophy.

It can also be caused by a brain tumour or certain types of cancer like head or neck cancer.

You or someone else has paralysis or weakness that:

Treatment for paralysis will depend on what's causing it.

Temporary paralysis may go away on its own without medical treatment.

Things that can help people with paralysis include:

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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