What you need to know about paralysis

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like if you suddenly lost an arm, leg, or part of your body? It's really scary to think about. That's what we simply call paralysis, or as we say in English, paralysis. This happens when there is some damage to the communication between our brain and the relevant parts of the body. But don't worry, if you understand paralysis correctly , it will be much easier to deal with it and get the necessary medical advice . Let's talk about this in detail, very simply.

What exactly is paralysis?

Simply put, paralysis is the inability to control or move the muscles in a part of your body. This happens because those muscles are not receiving the right messages from the brain.

This can vary from person to person. Some people who are paralyzed due to an accident may not be able to move or feel the affected part of their body at all. However, someone who is paralyzed due to a condition such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) may experience muscle weakness or numbness.

Depending on the location and severity of the paralysis, other problems may occur, such as difficulty breathing , circulation problems, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and difficulty controlling bowel and bladder function .

What is Temporary Paralysis?

Sometimes this condition is temporary. That is, it can return to normal after a while. The best example is Bell's Palsy, a facial paralysis condition. There is also a rare disease called Periodic Paralysis. What happens here is that the muscles suddenly become weak, stiff, and lifeless. However, these symptoms disappear after a while.

What are the main types of paralysis?

Paralysis can be divided into several main types.

• Complete Paralysis : In this case, you cannot control or move the paralyzed muscles at all. And you cannot feel anything in those parts.
• Partial/Incomplete Paralysis: In this, you have some sensation and control of the muscles that are paralyzed. This is sometimes called paresis.

In addition, it is also classified according to which part of the body is affected.

• Localized Paralysis: This affects only one specific area, such as the face, arms, legs, or vocal cords .
• Generalized Paralysis: This affects a large area of ​​the body. The type is determined by where the damage to the brain or spinal cord occurs.

Let's understand these types more clearly from the table below.

Rigid paralysis and flaccid paralysis

Paralysis can be classified in another way.

• Spastic paralysis: This is a type of paralysis in which the muscles become stiff and jerky. Most people with cerebral palsy have this type.
• Flaccid paralysis: In this, the muscles become loose and droopy. Over time, these muscles may also contract. In the past, polio was a major cause of this.

What are the causes of paralysis?

The main cause of paralysis is stroke . This is when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain is blocked or bursts. In addition, injuries to the brain or spinal cord from car accidents, falls from heights, sports injuries, or gunshot wounds are the main causes.

Some people can also develop paralysis due to congenital conditions, such as spina bifida . Also, damage to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth can cause a movement disorder called cerebral palsy.

In addition, paralysis can also be caused by various medical conditions.

• Demyelinating diseases: Our nerve cells have a protective sheath called myelin around them. In these diseases, the sheath is damaged. Then the nerve messages do not travel properly. This causes muscle weakness and paralysis. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a major such disease.
• Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs): These are diseases that damage the nerve cells that control our movement. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most well-known disease in this group.
• Sleep paralysis: This occurs when falling asleep or waking up. Some people may even see things that aren't really there (hallucinations).
• Tick-borne paralysis: Some ticks have a neurotoxin in their salivary glands. This can cause paralysis that starts in the feet and goes up. This condition goes away once the tick is removed from the body. However, if left untreated, it can spread to the face and become dangerous. Lyme disease, which is also transmitted by ticks, can also cause facial paralysis and numbness in the limbs.

Symptoms and emergencies of paralysis

The main symptom is the inability to move a part of the body. However, sometimes these symptoms can appear gradually.

• Gradually losing consciousness
• Difficulty moving parts of the face or body
• Muscle weakness or atrophy
• Muscle cramps
• Numbness
• Feeling of tightness in body parts

Situations when you should seek urgent medical advice:

If you or someone else suddenly develops symptoms of paralysis after an accident to the head, neck, or spine, or if you have any of the following symptoms, you should immediately go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).

• Difficulty speaking, breathing, or swallowing
• Numbness or inability to move one side of the face or one arm
• Numbness and loss of feeling anywhere on the face or body

How does a doctor diagnose this? (Diagnosis)

Your doctor will first examine you and ask about any recent accidents. If the symptoms have come on gradually, they will also ask when you first noticed them.

There are several tests that may be done to find the exact cause:

• X-ray: To check for fractures that could damage nerves.
• Scans (MRI or CT scans): Check for signs of a stroke or damage to the brain and spinal cord.
• Myelogram: A special needle is inserted into the spinal cord and detailed images are taken of the spinal cord.
• EMG (Electromyogram): A test that measures the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
• Lumbar Puncture: A sample of cerebrospinal fluid is taken from the spinal cord and checked for signs of infection or other problems.

What are the treatments?

There is no "cure" for permanent paralysis. That is, if the spinal cord is damaged, it will not regrow on its own. However, temporary paralysis can improve without treatment. For example, people with Bell's Palsy are given steroids and antiviral drugs.

But there are many treatments and assistive devices that can make life easier and increase the quality of life for someone with permanent paralysis.

• Rehabilitation: After a stroke or spinal cord injury, you will be referred to a specialized rehabilitation center. There, doctors, physical therapists, and occupational therapists will work together to help you recover as best as possible.
• Functional Electrical Stimulation: Small electrical pulses can be given to paralyzed muscles to restore some function.
• Assistive devices: Use things like wheelchairs, walkers, and special utensils to help you perform daily tasks independently.

Paralysis, stroke, amputation, spinal cord injury, neurological disease