Paresis

Paresis
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	Neurology
Symptoms	Muscle weakness, partial paralysis
Complications	N/A
Onset
Duration
Types	N/A
Causes	Nerve damage, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Guillain-Barré syndrome
Risks
Diagnosis	Physical examination, neurological examination, imaging studies
Differential diagnosis	Paralysis, muscle atrophy, neuropathy
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies depending on underlying cause
Frequency
Deaths	N/A

Paresis is a medical condition characterized by weakened voluntary movement or a partial loss of voluntary movement and impaired motion in certain areas of the body. The term has its origins from the Ancient Greek: πάρεσις, meaning "letting go" from παρίημι, which translates to "to let go, to let fall".

Classification of Paresis Based on Affected Area

Paresis can manifest in various parts of the body, and different types are classified based on the area affected:

Limbs

• Monoparesis ‚Äì Involves one leg or one arm.
• Paraparesis ‚Äì Affects both legs.
• Hemiparesis ‚Äì Affects one arm and one leg on the same side of the body.
• Triparesis ‚Äì Involves three limbs, which can be a combination of either both legs and one arm, both arms and one leg, or one arm, one leg, and the face.
• Double hemiparesis ‚Äì All four limbs are involved, but one side of the body exhibits more pronounced symptoms than the other.
• Tetraparesis ‚Äì Affects all four limbs.
• Quadriparesis ‚Äì Impacts all four limbs with equal severity.

Multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy are medical conditions where the aforementioned terms are frequently applied to describe motion impairments.

Other Forms of Paresis

• Gastroparesis ‚Äì A delay in stomach emptying.
• Ophthalmoparesis ‚Äì Paresis that affects eye muscles, a variant of ophthalmoplegia.
• Spastic paresis ‚Äì Marked by exaggerated tendon reflexes and muscle hypertonia.
• Vocal cord paresis ‚Äì Impaired movement of the vocal cords.

Historical Context

Historically, the term "paresis" was prominently associated with "general paresis", a manifestation of untreated syphilis. Due to advancements in the treatment of syphilis, this association has diminished considerably.

See Also

• Paralysis
• Neurology
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cerebral palsy
• Syphilis

External links

• Overview
• Hind Limb Paresis and Paralysis in Rabbits