What happens when you lose bodily function? Sounds horrifying, doesn’t it? However, it is a bleak reality of a condition called Paralysis. It is a severe nerve disorder that leads to not only loss of muscle function in the body but also loss of hope for the patient’s loved ones. 

Paralysis occurs as the body loses muscle function. Muscle loss can be partial or complete, localised or generalised, and even temporary or permanent. It hampers the ability to feel pain in the affected body area.

However, various treatment options are available depending on the condition’s cause. It sometimes becomes challenging to get hold of paralysis as the treatment can be complex. Paralysis doesn’t necessarily affect a specific area, and any body part can be affected. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Paralysis? 

The symptoms of paralysis are inclusive of the following –

• Loss of function in a specific area of the body.
• Before paralysis occurs, some tingling or numbness can be felt.
• Difficult to control body muscles in the affected area. 

How Is Paralysis Caused? 

One of the most known causes of paralysis is stroke. It is common in people aged above 40 and women. Over 90% of people who have suffered a stroke are affected by paralysis. An Indian suffers a brain stroke every 20 seconds. 

In some cases, people are born with paralysis. In contrast, some people develop accidentally or as a result of some medical condition. 

Below are a few more causes of paralysis

• Cerebral palsy (a disorder of muscle tone, movement, or posture.)
• Neurofibromatosis (formation of tumours in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.)
• Traumatic injury to the brain
• Defects at birth
• Post-polio syndrome (disabling signs and symptoms that occurs 15-40 years after the infection caused by poliovirus)

How Can Paralysis Be Diagnosed?

Since paralysis leads to loss of muscle function, it is easy to identify it. However, it is unidentifiable in internal body parts for which X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and imaging studies are used. 

If a patient experiences a spinal cord injury, myelography checks the condition. The doctors insert a dye in the spinal cord’s nerves that help see the X-rays more clearly. They may also use sensors to measure electrical activity in the muscles. 

What Are The Types Of Paralysis? 

The types of paralysis are mentioned in four distinct categories based on location, severity, duration, and flaccid. 

• Location

Localized paralysis affects a single body part, such as the face or hand. In contrast, generalized paralysis affects multiple body parts, which includes the following. 

• Monoplegia affects a single arm or leg.
• Hemiplegia affects one arm and leg on the same body
  side.
• Paraplegia affects both legs. 
• Quadriplegia and tetraplegia affect both arms and
  legs. 

• Severity

In partial paralysis, the patient still has some control over the muscles of the affected body area. However, in complete paralysis, the patient loses all control over the muscles of the affected area. 

• Duration

Bell’s palsy, which causes facial paralysis and strokes, can temporarily paralyze the body. However, in such cases, the body is recoverable to some extent. In other cases, paralysis can be permanent. 

• Flaccid Or Spastic

Flaccid paralysis can shrink muscles and generate soft fat instead of muscles. It can cause muscle weakness. Spastic paralysis can cause muscles to harden and lead to uncontrollable twitching and spasm. 

What Are The Available Treatment Options For Paralysis?

The treatment of paralysis depends upon its causes as well as the symptoms. These can be in the following forms. 

1. Surgery or amputation
2. Occupational therapy
3. Medications as prescribed, muscle relaxers for spastic paralysis
4. Physical therapy
5. Mobility aids

In some cases, paralysis isn’t treatable. So, the doctors may recommend treatments or strategies to manage the symptoms. 

The Final Say

Paralysis is a condition that can be dangerous if severe and incurable. So many people are currently dealing with such great pain emotionally as they feel the loss of bodily function and feel incompetent in performing basic daily tasks.

 However, with adequate treatment and proper care, some cases of this nerve disorder can improve. Bansal hospital Bhopal has the best neurosurgery department that provides credible diagnosis and treatment for mild to severe neurological conditions.