Paresis

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This article is about the physical malady. For the mental disorder, see general paresis.

Paresis is a condition typified by partial loss of movement, or impaired movement. When used without qualifiers, it usually refers to the limbs, but it also can be used to describe the muscles of the eyes. Neurologists use the term paresis to describe weakness, and plegia to describe paralysis [in which all movement is lost].

1 Subtypes
2 Associated conditions
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Subtypes

monoparesis -- one leg or one arm
paraparesis -- both legs or both arms
hemiparesis -- one arm and one leg on either side of the body
quadraparesis -- all four limbs
gastroparesis -- impaired stomach emptying

[edit] Associated conditions

It frequently refers to the impairment of motion in multiple sclerosis.
It is also used to describe a form of ophthalmoplegia.
In the past, the term was most commonly used to refer to "General paresis", which was a symptom of untreated syphilis. However, due to improvements in treatment of syphilis, it is now rarely used in this context.