Paralysis attack can lead to the loss of muscle function in a certain body part. It can be localized, generalized, partial, complete, temporary or even permanent. Anyone experiencing Paralysis will not probably feel any pain in the affected area. Depending on the cause and symptoms of the paralysis, the treatment plan and outlook for the condition are usually analyzed. Technological innovations and therapeutic interventions may help to maintain your quality of life in this case.
Types of Paralysis
Paralysis is of the following types-
- Complete paralysis– Complete paralysis is when you cannot move and have no control over the paralyzed muscles. People usually feel nothing in those muscles.
- Partial or incomplete paralysis- This is a condition when you still have some feelings and control over the affected muscle. Partial paralysis is also popular as paresis.
- Localized paralysis- This affects only specific or localized areas of the body like face, hands, feet or vocal cord.
- Generalized paralysis- It is more of a widespread paralysis that is grouped by how much impact it creates on your body. This type usually depends on the injury of your brain or spinal cord.
- Monoplegia- It is a kind of generalized paralysis that affects just one part of the body or just one limb.
- Diplegia- This affects the same area on both sides, like both arms, both legs and or sides of your face.
- Hemiplegia- This condition only fetters one side of the body or damages only one side of the brain.
- Quadriplegia or tetraplegia- This is the most critical situation where all your four limbs are paralyzed. In some cases, certain organs may also get affected.
- Paraplegia- When paralysis occurs all the way down the waist.
- Locked-in syndrome- This is the rarest and severest form of paralysis where a person loses his control on all muscles. Only eye movement will be under control.
Who needs paralysis treatment?
A patient who is suffering from Functional Electrical Stimulation treatment and has a lower leg paralysis is eligible for undergoing treatment.
Patients suffering from partial and periodic paralysis may be treated with certain specific medications as a treatment for paralysis.
Physiotherapy is the most effective treatment for people who are okay with long term treatment.
What are the side effects of Paralysis Treatment?
Treatment for paralysis usually does not have any such side effect unless pain in case of undergoing physiotherapy. Generally, physiotherapies include long and extensive sessions that are extremely laborious. Patients usually need strong will power, patience and determination to undergo this super long treatment procedure.
Possibilities of Recovering from Paralysis
Yes, patients can overcome even some critical paralytic conditions only if the patients receive the right medication or treatment. This is something that cannot be cured overnight. It needs time and patience must meticulously follow the surgeon’s instruction and also try some light exercises for better results.
Prevention of Paralysis
- Avoiding paralysis is not always definite as paralysis can occur due to a variety of reasons. The first thing that you have to do is be careful and avoid accidents. In order to do that wearing a seat belt and helmet while driving is mandatory.
- Premature birth may also contribute to the paralysis of your child and in that case, good parental care can help in preventing premature birth.
- Environmental factors sometimes may also lead to stroke and that can only be prevented by paying attention to it.
- Regular exercise can overall help in keeping your body fit and fine.
How is Paralysis Treated?
A treatment plan of any paralysis attack will mostly depend on the cause and symptoms experienced. Overall, a surgeon may prescribe-
- Surgery or possible amputation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy help patients adapt to the situation so that daily tasks like dressing and cooking become easier.
- Movementassistances such as wheelchairs, braces, mobile scooters or other devices.
- Medications, such as Botox or muscle relaxers are applied for spastic paralysis
One of the most effective treatments for paralysis is physiotherapy which is done to arouse the blood flow in the nerves and muscles. In some critical cases, electrical stimulation process may also be implemented as paralysis treatment.
Symptoms of Paralysis
The symptoms of paralysis attacks are usually easy to identify and that mostly includes losing functioning capability in a specific or widespread area of your body. Often people may also feel a tingling sensation that can occur before total paralysis sets in your body. Paralysis mostly makes life difficult or even impossible to control muscles in the affected part of the body, like face, hands, one hand and one leg (monoplegia), single side of the body (hemiplegia), both legs (paraplegia) and both arms and legs (tetraplegia or quadriplegia).
However, the affected parts of the body may also be stiff (spastic paralysis) with occasional muscle spasms, floppy (flaccid paralysis) and numbness, pain or even tingling sensation.