Paralysis Treatment

What is a stroke?

One of the primary functions of the nervous system is to ensure and manage the functioning of the muscles in the body. The loss of power that occurs as a result of malfunctions in this function of the brain and spinal cord that make up the nervous system is called paralysis. Paralysis can be limited to a specific part of the body, or it can develop throughout the body. Paralysis may be temporary or may be permanent depending on the degree of damage to the nervous system. In addition, depending on the affected nerve tissue, paralysis may occur partially or may result in complete loss of strength in the affected muscle group. Paralysis is classified in various ways depending on the way it occurs and its characteristics. Accordingly, the state of paralysis can be divided into the following types:

Depending on the location: Depending on the body region where the paralysis develops, the paralysis can be localized or generalized affecting the whole body. Again, depending on the number of affected organs, different types of paralysis can be seen in the clinic. In this respect, paralysis in one arm or leg is called monoplegia, paralysis in which the arm and leg on the same side is affected is called hemiplegia, paralysis affecting both legs is called paraplegia, paralysis in which all arms and legs are affected is called quadriplegia or tetraplegia.

According to the severity: Partial or total paralysis may develop in the paralyzed tissues. In partial or partial paralysis, the patient may lose strength, but may have limited movement of the affected area.

According to the duration: Depending on the duration of the loss of power in the paralyzed body region, paralysis may be temporary or permanent. In temporary paralysis, the nervous tissue is functionally impaired and may regain some or all of its functions over time. However, in conditions where the nerve tissue is completely damaged, paralysis can be permanent.

According to the level of involvement: Depending on the level of the effect on the nervous tissue, paralysis may occur in the form of severe contraction or complete relaxation of the muscles. Paralysis in which muscle contraction and loss of power occur is called spastic paralysis, while paralysis with relaxation is called flaccid paralysis.

What Causes Paralysis?

Certain parts of the nervous system are specialized in controlling muscle groups in the body. Partial or complete (total) paralysis may occur as a result of loss of function or complete damage to these regions due to various diseases. In this regard, the development of paralysis can be observed in patients in the course of the following neurological problems:

Stroke: When the nerve tissues are deprived of oxygen and nutritional support due to problems arising from the brain vessels, it is called a stroke. These problems may be due to occlusion of the veins by clots or other factors, or bleeding that develops as a result of damage to the veins. Again, in cases such as being without oxygen for a long time, which may result in the disruption of the oxygen and nutritional support of the brain, and deterioration of the pumping function of the heart, nerve tissue damage may develop and paralysis may occur.

Spinal cord or brain damage: As a result of serious injuries at the brain or spinal cord level due to high-energy physical traumas, especially traffic accidents, temporary or permanent damage to the nerve tissue may occur, resulting in paralysis.

Multiple sclerosis: When the brain and spinal cord tissues are damaged by inflammation by the body's own immune system, various levels of paralysis develop.

Infections: Paralysis may develop in the course of bacterial, viral or parasitic infections that cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord tissues and their membranes. In this sense, polio (polio) virus is one of the important factors that cause paralysis at the spinal cord level.

Cerebral palsy: If problems develop during birth that will cause the baby's developing nerve tissues to be deprived of oxygen and nutritional support, the developing nerve tissues will be damaged and various levels of weakness may occur in the muscle tissues in later ages.

Cancer: Paralysis may occur as a result of nerve tissues that are under pressure or damaged due to metastases originating from nerve tissues or belonging to other tissues.

Congenital or genetic diseases: If the nerve tissues are not fully developed or underdeveloped during the development process in the mother's womb, if the genes that regulate the functions and development of the nerve tissues are damaged, malfunctions and deficiencies in the nerve tissues at various levels may occur. This is one of the important causes of congenital paralysis.

What Are the Symptoms of Paralysis?

Paralysis describes the loss of strength that occurs at various levels in the muscle group associated with the affected nerve tissue. However, depending on the level and severity of the underlying disease, other neurological symptoms may also be reflected in the clinical condition of the patient. These symptoms can be summarized as follows:

Loss of feeling: In addition to loss of strength, if the nerve cells responsible for the sense of touch of the affected area are damaged, patients may experience numbness, electricity, tingling or complete loss of sensation.

Movement disorder: It is among the functions of nerve tissues to ensure coordinated and voluntary movements of muscle groups as well as their ability to move. If the cells responsible for these mechanisms are affected, movement disorders such as abnormal contractions or inability to perform the desired movement correctly may occur.

Loss of vision: In the course of the diseases in which the brain tissues are affected, various levels of vision loss or blurred vision may occur as a result of damage to the visual center.

Hearing loss: In diseases affecting the brain tissues, various levels of hearing loss may develop if the hearing center is affected.

Changes in consciousness: In cases where the anterior regions of the brain are affected, personality changes, forgetfulness, changes in consciousness, sleepiness or coma may occur in patients.

Loss of urine or stool control: Involuntary urination or defecation can be observed in cases where the brain or spinal cord regions that control urination and defecation behaviors are affected.

Pain: In case of damage to the nerve tissues responsible for the perception of pain, severe pain can be observed in patients.

How to Diagnose Paralysis?

Since paralysis occurs mainly when nerve tissues are damaged functionally or anatomically, it can be clinically diagnosed in cases of power loss observed during the clinical evaluation of the patient. In order to confirm this diagnosis, various radiological imaging methods provide important information on the location and level of involvement of the affected nerve tissue. In addition, some biochemical blood tests can provide information on the presence of diseases such as MS and infection that can cause paralysis. The most commonly used methods in brain imaging are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

What is done in the treatment of paralysis?

The treatment plan for stroke may vary depending on the underlying disease and the level of impact. In this regard, it is very important to determine the cause of the stroke correctly. Depending on the underlying disease, the following methods are used in the treatment of stroke:

• It is very important to restore the circulation of nerve tissues in stroke-related paralysis. It is critical to remove the obstruction with various drugs, especially in the first 3 hours, in vascular occlusions. Apart from this, blood thinners are used to prevent re-occlusion.
• In brain hemorrhages, it may be necessary to repair the bleeding site and surgically remove the existing bleeding.
• Brain and spinal cord injuries may need to be repaired with neurosurgery depending on the level of injury.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation applications are beneficial for restoring the lost ability in areas with permanent power loss.
• Medication to relax the muscles, botox application and physical therapy methods are useful in spastic type paralysis.