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Warning-sign checks

Paralysis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services now if paralysis:

    • Starts suddenly, particularly on one side of the body
    • Occurs with facial drooping, speech trouble, confusion, or vision loss
    • Follows a head, neck, or back injury
    • Comes with difficulty breathing, swallowing, or staying awake
    • Occurs with severe back pain, numbness around the groin, or loss of bladder control
    • Is rapidly spreading or worsening over minutes or hours

    This information can affect emergency treatment.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent same-day care for any new paralysis that developed gradually, new isolated facial paralysis, or an episode that has now improved.

    Symptoms that disappear can still require urgent assessment, especially if they began suddenly.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up if you have an established cause of paralysis and notice gradual changes in movement, pain, muscle stiffness, skin condition, or your ability to manage daily activities.

The article also says

Do not drive yourself.

Note when the symptoms started, or when you were last known to be moving normally.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Paralysis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.