Bulbar palsy
Bulbar weakness (or bulbar palsy) refers to bilateral impairment of function of the lower cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII, which occurs due to lower motor neuron lesion either at nuclear or fascicular level in the medulla or from bilateral lesions of the lower cranial nerves outside the brain-stem. Bulbar weakness is often associated with difficulty in chewing, weakness of the facial muscles, dysarthria, palatal weakness and regurgitation of fluids, dysphagia, and dysphonia.
What is Bulbar palsy?
Bulbar palsy is a symptom that people may experience for many reasons. It can be related to infections, chronic conditions, injuries, medication effects, or other health changes. The presence of this symptom alone does not diagnose any condition.
If you have Bulbar palsy that is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other warning signs, contact a qualified healthcare provider.
Possible conditions associated with Bulbar palsy
The following conditions have been associated with Bulbar palsy. Only a health professional can determine the underlying cause.
Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis
Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs.
Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome 1
Any Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the SLC52A3 gene.
Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome 2
Any Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the SLC52A2 gene.
Congenital myasthenic syndrome
Congenital myasthenic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs.
Frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease
Frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...
Miller Fisher syndrome
Miller Fisher syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs.
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, myopathic form
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, myopathic form is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms...
Muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle, type 1E
Muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle, type 1E is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs.
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs.
Nemaline myopathy 3
Nemaline myopathy 3 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs.
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs.
Presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes
Presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sign...
Related symptoms
When to seek medical care
Seek urgent care if Bulbar palsy is severe, sudden, or occurs with chest pain, difficulty breathing, confusion, severe weakness, or other serious symptoms.