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.
Also called: Bulbar muscle weakness, Bulbar palsies, Bulbar weakness.
Conditions associated with bulbar palsy
The following conditions have been associated with bulbar palsy in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis
Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sig...
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 s...
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 variou...
Muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle, type 1E
Muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle, type 1E is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms a...
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 symptom...
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs...
Riboflavin transporter deficiency
Riboflavin transporter deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sign...
Vocal cord and pharyngeal distal myopathy
Vocal cord and pharyngeal distal myopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms ...
adrenoleukodystrophy
A peroxisomal disorder resulting in cerebral demyelination, axonal dysfunction in the spinal cord leading to s...
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 21
Any amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the MATR3 gene....
congenital myasthenic syndrome 20
Any congenital myasthenic syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the SLC5A7 gene....
congenital myasthenic syndrome 4A
A congenital myasthenic syndrome characterized by postsynaptic neuromuscular junction defects, early-onset pro...
congenital myasthenic syndrome 6
Congenital myasthenic syndrome caused by mutation(s) in the CHAT gene, encoding choline O-acetyltransferase. I...
congenital myopathy 4A, autosomal dominant
congenital myopathy 4A, autosomal dominant is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms...
myasthenic syndrome, congenital, 1B, fast-channel
A congenital myasthenic syndrome characterized by defects in postsynaptic neuromuscular junctions with early-o...
myofibrillar myopathy 1
A rare genetic skeletal muscle disease characterized by abnormal chimeric aggregates of desmin and other cytos...
nemaline myopathy 2
An autosomal recessive inherited myopathy caused by mutations in the NEB gene. It is characterized by generali...
neurodevelopmental disorder with progressive microcephaly, spasticity, and brain anomalies
neurodevelopmental disorder with progressive microcephaly, spasticity, and brain anomalies is a medical condit...
neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal recessive 11, with spasticity
neuronopathy, distal hereditary motor, autosomal recessive 11, with spasticity is a medical condition that may...
Tests providers may use to investigate bulbar palsy
When investigating bulbar palsy, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Urinalysis
Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....
Myasthenia Gravis Mg Lab Test
An acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody test is used to help diagnose Myasthenia Gravis (MG). AChR binding a...
Symptoms commonly seen alongside bulbar palsy
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing....
Fatigue
A subjective feeling of tiredness characterized by a lack of energy and motivation....
Fever
Body temperature elevated above the normal range....
Headache
Cephalgia, or pain sensed in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve....
Muscle weakness
Reduced strength of muscles....
Seizure
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence ...
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if bulbar palsy is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom bulbar palsy mean?
Bulbar palsy is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. 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.
Which conditions are associated with bulbar palsy?
Bulbar palsy has been reported in association with 26 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis, Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome 1, Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome 2, Congenital myasthenic syndrome, Frontotemporal dementia with motor neuron disease. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about bulbar palsy?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.