Paralysis can be described as the loss of muscle function in a particular part of the body. As a result, the patient will not be able to move that body part properly on their own. People with paralysis also lose all feeling in the affected areas of the body; for example, they may notice a pin, or a hot object pressed against the paralyzed limb. This problem of muscle and sensation loss occurs when something goes wrong in the way signals are passed between the brain and the muscles. Paralysis can affect different people in various ways, as it can:
Paralysis can be of different types and studies show that 1 in 50 people in the US suffer from some degree of paralysis, which could include:
The outlook for patients with paralysis varies, depending upon the severity and the underlying cause of the problem.
Causes
Our senses of movement and feeling are controlled by the communication between the central nervous system (consisting of the brain & spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the sensory nerves). Any disruption of communication or nerve impulses from the brain to muscles could affect muscle control and movement adversely. This in turn leads to loss of coordination as well as weakness in the muscles, which could gradually progress to paralysis. Some of the most common factors that can lead to paralysis include:
Until a few years ago, polio was also regarded as one of the possible causes of paralysis in people. Though polio has now been completely eradicated in the US, it could still be a cause of paralysis in other countries.
Symptoms
The main sign of paralysis is loss of movement and sensation in the affected part. However, depending upon the cause of the problem, the patient may show other signs and symptoms too, such as:
Some patients may show many of the symptoms mentioned above, whereas on the other hand, others may show none.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no cure for paralysis at the moment. However, the treatment is aimed at helping patients adapt to their lives, by making them as independent as they can get. Paralysis treatment also focuses on addressing health problems and potential complications that may arise. Very often, treating the underlying cause of the problem restores mobility in the affected body part. The doctor may recommend medication, therapies, surgical procedures, exercises and self-care tips to treat the causes of paralysis.
There are many people who ask their doctors “can physiotherapy cure paralysis?” In case the problem occurs due to factors like s stroke or a transient ischemic attack, daily physiotherapy can help restore movement and sensation in that limb to a great extent. This form of treatment is slow and laborious, but it can help regain movement in the paralyzed limb.
Paralysis Diet
The diet for a paralytic patient plays a very important role in the treatment of the condition. A few specific B complex vitamins like niacin and vitamin B12 help improve the way the nervous system functions. Essential fatty acids are also an important part of a paralysis diet, because they reduce any inflammation in the body and improve the health of the nervous system. Foods that are high in these nutrients include:
Paralytic patients often suffer from complications like urinary or bowel incontinence. Therefore, it is best to check with a doctor before designing a diet for the patient.
References