Paralysis or paralysis is a condition when one or more parts of the body cannot be moved. This condition can be caused by disorders of the muscles or nerves, due to certain injuries or diseases.
Paralysis that occurs can be temporary or permanent, both in patients who only experience weakness or are unable to move certain body parts at all.
Treatment of paralysis depends on the cause of the paralysis itself. Treatment can be in the form of drugs, physiotherapy, surgery, or the use of assistive devices if the paralysis is permanent.
Causes of Paralysis
Muscles play an important role in controlling every movement of the human body. In moving the body, muscles work together with bones, nerves, and the connective tissue between muscles, nerves, and bones. When one of these tissues is disrupted, paralysis can occur.
The following are some conditions that can cause paralysis:
1. Stroke
Stroke can cause sudden paralysis on one side of the face, arm, and leg. There are 2 types of stroke, namely ischemic stroke or infarct stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Strokes in certain parts, such as brain stem strokes, can even cause total paralysis.
2. Bell's palsy
Bell's palsy causes paralysis on one side of the face suddenly, without paralysis elsewhere.
3. Brain injury
A hard blow to the head can cause injury or impaired brain function, so there is a risk of triggering paralysis in any part of the body, depending on the part of the brain that is damaged.
4. Spinal cord injury
Paralysis due to spinal cord injury can occur in the legs only, in the arms and legs, or sometimes in the chest muscles. Paralysis can occur slowly or suddenly, depending on the severity of the injury.
5. Polio
Polio disease can cause paralysis in the arms and legs, to paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Paralysis occurs slowly, at least a few years after infection with polio.
6. Guillian-Barre syndrome
Guillain-Barre syndrome causes paralysis in the legs, and can gradually spread to the arms and face after a few days or weeks.
7. Cerebral palso
Cerebral palsy is a birth defect that causes paralysis on one side of the body, including the arms and legs. This disorder is caused by disorders of brain development that occur when the baby is in the womb.
8. Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis can cause paralysis of the face, arms, or legs with intermittent symptoms.
9. Myasthenia gravis
Similar to multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis It also causes paralysis of the face, arms, or legs with intermittent symptoms.
10. Amyotrophic lside sclerosis (ALS)
ALS causes disorders of the brain and spinal cord, so the sufferer is at risk for gradual paralysis of the face, arms, or legs. ALS sometimes also causes paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
In addition to the above causes, paralysis can also occur due to generalized nerve damage due to botulism toxins. This poison is produced by bacteria Clostridium tetani which usually contaminates poorly processed canned foods.
Paralysis Symptoms
When experiencing paralysis, sufferers will feel the main symptom in the form of difficulty moving certain body parts. These symptoms can appear slowly, suddenly, or sometimes come and go.
Symptoms of paralysis can occur in any part of the body, either only in one part of the body or in a wider area of the body. Parts of the body that are at risk for paralysis include the face, arms, legs, and vocal cords. In severe conditions, the respiratory muscles can also experience paralysis.
Based on the location and limb affected, paralysis can be grouped into:
- Monoplegia, which is paralysis of one arm or leg.
- Hemiplegia, which is paralysis of the arm and leg on one side of the body.
- Diplegia, which is paralysis of both arms or both sides of the face.
- Paraplegia, which is paralysis of both legs.
- Quadriplegia, which is paralysis of both arms and legs. This paralysis can sometimes also affect other areas or organs in the lower neck, such as the intestines, urinary tract, or respiratory muscles.
Paralysis that occurs slowly due to a disease is usually characterized by several symptoms that appear before the patient experiences total paralysis. These symptoms include:
- Loss of sensation to touch
- tingling
- Cramps and muscle pain
- Numb
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a neurologist if you experience symptoms of paralysis, including symptoms that come and go. Especially if the symptoms get worse. The doctor will perform further tests to determine the cause.
If you experience paralysis suddenly or the paralysis is caused by an accident, immediately go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. You are also advised to go to the ER if the paralysis is accompanied by shortness of breath.
Have regular health checks to monitor blood pressure and blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes or hypertension. Uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension has a high risk of causing stroke, one of the main causes of paralysis.
Paralysis can also be caused by polio. Do polio immunization according to the immunization schedule to prevent your child from the risk of paralysis. If you have never or have missed a polio vaccination, talk to your doctor about how to catch up on a missed immunization.
Paralysis Diagnosis
Doctors can diagnose paralysis when the sufferer is unable to move certain body parts. In this condition, a neurological examination will be performed to assess the movement of muscles and sensory nerves.
To find out more about the cause and severity of the paralysis, the doctor will perform investigations which include:
- X-ray photo
- CT scan
- MRI
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Lumbar puncture
Paralysis Treatment
The doctor will determine the type of treatment based on the underlying cause of the paralysis. The treatment steps taken aim to relieve symptoms and make it easier for sufferers to carry out daily activities. Some types of treatment that can be done are:
Physiotherapy
This therapy aims to restore muscle strength and function of the injured body part, prevent disability and reduce the risk of injury in the future. The type of physiotherapy carried out will be adjusted to the patient's condition.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is a series of exercises that aim to improve the patient's ability to carry out daily activities. After undergoing this occupational therapy, people with paralysis are expected to be able to carry out activities independently.
Drugs
Medication is used to relieve symptoms of paralysis that appear. Depending on the cause, several types of drugs that the doctor can give are:
- Corticosteroids, such as methylprednisolone.
- Anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital.
- Muscle relaxants, such as baclofen and eperisone.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and clomipramine.
- Botox injections.
Use of assistive devices
Most people with paralysis do not fully recover. To help move from one place to another, the patient can use assistive devices, such as canes or a wheelchair. The doctor will suggest the type of assistive device according to the patient's condition.
People with paralysis need support from their family and people around them, and need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Both of these will improve the patient's quality of life. Patients with paralysis must also remain active and do regular exercise as recommended by the doctor.
Operation
Depending on the cause, surgery may also be performed as a form of treatment to treat paralysis. For example, in sudden paralysis due to spinal cord injury, the doctor will perform spinal surgery to repair the damage in that area.
Paralysis Complications
Paralysis can occur in any part of the body depending on the cause. The most worrying thing is if the paralysis is permanent, or if the paralysis occurs in the respiratory muscles that will cause the sufferer to stop breathing.
In addition, paralysis can cause sufferers to experience:
- Depression
- Speech and swallowing disorders
- Sexual dysfunction
- Decubitus ulcer
- Urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence
- Deep vein thrombosis
Paralysis Prevention
Efforts to prevent paralysis are adjusted to the underlying cause. To prevent paralysis due to accidental injury, the ways that can be done are:
- Drive carefully and obey traffic signs.
- Use seat belts while driving a vehicle.
- Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs that can cause drowsiness before driving.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow the instructor's instructions properly when performing high-risk activities, such as rock climbing.
Meanwhile, to prevent paralysis due to health problems or diseases, such as stroke, the way is:
- Avoid foods high in salt and cholesterol.
- Increase consumption of fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes every day.
- Quit smoking, if you are an active smoker.
- Checking blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels regularly.