Paresis


 * Not to be confused with Paruresis

Paresis is a condition typified by a weakness of voluntary movement, or partial loss of voluntary movement or by impaired movement. When used without qualifiers, it usually refers to the limbs, but it can also be used to describe the muscles of the eyes (ophthalmoparesis), the stomach (gastroparesis), and also the vocal cords (Vocal cord paresis). Neurologists use the term paresis to describe weakness, and plegia to describe paralysis in which all voluntary movement is lost. The term paresis comes from the πάρεσις "letting go" or "paralysis" from παρίημι "to let go, to let fall."

Limbs

 * Monoparesis — One leg or one arm
 * Paraparesis — Both legs
 * Hemiparesis — One arm and one leg on either side of the body
 * Tetraparesis/Quadriparesis — All four limbs

These terms frequently refer to the impairment of motion in multiple sclerosis.

Other

 * Spastic Paresis - Exaggerated tendon reflexes and muscle hypertonia
 * Gastroparesis—Impaired stomach emptying
 * 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.