Treatment for Paralysis in India: What Are the Options

Paralysis is a neurological condition that results in weakness or an inability to make voluntary muscle movements. It is a nervous system disorder that can result in complete or partial weakness. The nervous system in the body has two parts: the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which contains nerves. Signals arise in the brain and are sent to the muscles. However, in paralysis, these muscles cannot take the signals and hence cannot move due to a disease or disorder affecting the central and peripheral nervous system.  

Types:  

Paralysis can affect any part of the body. It can cause permanent and irreversible damage, where the muscle can never be used again. It can be partial if only part of the muscles are affected or complete if all the muscles are affected.  

Paralysis is also categorized based on muscle condition due to nervous system injury. The muscles can be flaccid, where they get loose and weak, or spastic, where they tighten with involuntary jerks and spasms. 

Paralysis can be localized to a few groups of muscles, such as Bell's palsy, which affects facial muscles. It can be generalized, involving larger groups of muscles. Generalized paralysis is of various types. They are:  

Monoplegia affects a single area of the body, like a limb. The patient can feel the entire body's movement except the affected part, which can be temporary.  

Hemiplegia affects one-half of the body on the same side, such as the hand and leg, and can be temporary.  

Paraplegia affects the lower half of the body, such as below the waist, hips, and legs.  

Quadriplegia, or tetraplegia, affects the entire body from below the neck, including the limbs and torso.  

Paralysis causes:

• Paralysis occurs when the communication systems of various body parts are disturbed. This disturbance in the communication between nerves and the skeletal muscles occurs due to interruptions in blood flow, inflammation, damage to the nerve sheath around the nerves, trauma, cancer, or genetic diseases.  
• Some may develop paralysis at birth, while others may develop later due to trauma or disease. The most common causes include stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, polio, neurofibromatosis, and birth trauma. Some of the common paralysis causes for each type of paralysis include:
• The essential causes of monoplegia include cerebral palsy, strokes, tumors, nerve damage due to specific diseases, motor neuron diseases, and brain injury.  
• The essential causes of hemiplegia include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and other nervous system disorders.  
• The causes of paraplegia include spinal cord infections, lesions, brain tumors, and brain infections. Nerve damage at the hip or waist, oxygen deprivation due to choking, accidents, and fights can also cause this.
• The causes of quadriplegia include traumatic brain injuries, stroke, spinal cord nerve compressions, spinal cord injuries caused by automobile accidents, fights, falls, and sports injuries. Brain injuries acquired through infections, stroke, and other diseases; lack of oxygen supply to the brain due to choking, anesthesia-related accidents, congenital birth defects, early birth injuries, allergies, and drug overdose can also cause this.  

Paralysis symptoms:

The symptoms of paralysis vary based on the type of paralysis. The inability to use a particular muscle with weakness is characteristic of paralysis. Paralysis can occur gradually or suddenly. Some medical diseases cause gradual paralysis, while strokes and injuries cause sudden paralysis. Some of the paralysis symptoms include:

• Monoplegia: loss of sensation in one limb while there will be control over the rest of the body.  
• Hemiplegia: pins and needles sensation occur that progresses to muscle weakness and paralysis.  
• Paraplegia: The lower part of the body is affected, and the individual cannot walk, move, or feel beneath the waistline. There will be a substantial loss in function and movement.  
• Quadriplegia: loss of function that begins in one or more body parts, numbness of the affected muscles, muscle weakness, loss of muscle structure called atrophy, stiffness of the muscles, involuntary spasms or twitches.  

Based on the type of muscle damage, paralysis can be flaccid paralysis or spastic paralysis.  

• Flaccid paralysis occurs due to damage to the nerves and part of the nervous system below the level of the brain. The injury to the nerves that stimulate skeletal muscle movement causes flaccid paralysis. The muscles shrink and deteriorate. It occurs as a complication of polio, spinal cord inflammation, and Gullian-Barre syndrome.  
• Spastic paralysis occurs due to spinal cord injuries, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and hereditary spastic paraplegia. This results in muscle stiffness, involuntary spasms, and muscle weakness

Factors influencing paralysis:  

Paralysis treatment varies based on its characteristics and identification. When a healthcare professional is planning paralysis treatment, they consider various factors such as:  

• Severity: The severity of the loss of muscle function determines the severity of paralysis. Partial paralysis causes partial weakness and impaired loss of function, while complete loss of paralysis affects the entire muscle, leading to total loss of muscle function.  
• Duration: Muscle function loss also determines the degree of paralysis. Temporary paralysis is seen in specific medical conditions such as Bell's palsy, stroke, and sleep paralysis. One will regain partial or total control of the affected muscles over a period of time. Periodic paralysis also causes temporary paralysis. However, severe trauma due to falls, accidents, injuries, or neuromuscular disorders causes permanent damage to muscles, leading to permanent paralysis.  
• Location: It indicates the area or number of muscle zones affected by paralysis. It can be localized or generalized.  

Complications:  

Paralysis can lead to complications such as depression, blood pressure changes, and pain. Constant dependency on assisted devices such as clutches and wheelchairs may make the person irritated and depressed. Sexual life is also affected, but differently for males and females. In males, paralytic individuals may face issues with maintaining erection problems, while females may have decreased sexual drive.  

Diagnosis:  

Diagnosing paralysis is done by physical and neurological examination and diagnostic tests. These specific tests include:

• X-rays: that detect trauma or injury in the bones or nerves that caused paralysis  
• Imaging tests such as computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging scans determine the signs of stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury.  
• A myelogram is another imaging procedure done on the spine to detect spinal cord and nerve injuries. A contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal, followed by CT or MRI to produce clear images of the nerves.  
• An electromyogram is a test that helps determine the injuries that affect the muscles and their respective nerves.  
• A spinal tap or Lumbar puncture uses a long needle to collect spinal fluid to identify infections, inflammation, and disorders like multiple sclerosis.  

Treatment:  

• There is no permanent cure for paralysis. Some paralyzed, like Bell's palsy, are temporary and recover on self. Paralysis caused by trauma infections can be permanent due to permanent damage to the nerves and brain.  
• Facial paralysis treatment such as bells palsy, includes medications to reduce inflammation. These include steroids and antiviral medications. Pain medications are also prescribed to alleviate pain. Sometimes, surgery reduces inflammation in paralysis.  
• However, the primary purpose of the treatment is to restore the function of paralysis. Paralysis treatment includes physical, occupational, and speech therapies.  
• Physical therapy stimulates the nerves using heat, massages, or exercises. These help to rehabilitate the lost function.  
• Occupational therapy is a rehabilitative therapy that helps individuals perform activities of daily living, such as buttoning a dress or drinking.  
• Speech therapy helps improve speech as speech can be slurry due to paralysis.  
• Mobility devices, such as manual or electric scooters or wheelchairs, are also used. Individuals with partial leg paralysis but good upper body strength can use manual wheelchairs, while those with less strength can use electric wheelchairs.  
• Vehicles such as cars are modified to match the paralytic individual. If an individual can drive, the accelerator and brake pedals are replaced with levers, and the steering wheel is modified accordingly.  
• Supportive devices such as braces, canes, and walkers that assist in walking  
• Voice-activated technology operates computers, televisions, fans, and phones.  
• Paralysis treatment cost varies depending on the type of paralysis, organs involved with paralysis, and its severity. It also varies on the amount of physical rehabilitation one needs after treating paralysis.  
• Paralysis treatment in India has improved greatly since introducing novel technologies and support programs. Dedicated centers help treat paralytic individuals.  

Paralysis prevention:

Paralysis is challenging to cure. Hence, it is advisable to prevent the chances of getting paralysis. Some of the paralysis prevention tips include:

• Wear helmets to avoid head injury while driving vehicles  
• Wear seatbelts while driving a car. Kids should even use car seats or booster seats while driving.  
• Always be aware of the water depth of water before swimming or diving  
• Do not drive when intoxicated or let an intoxicated person drive the vehicle.  
• Take precautions even while playing to prevent injuries  
• In case of head, neck, or spinal injury, never try to move someone. Always call an ambulance for help.  

Individuals with paralysis need immense mental support. Though their physical body is inactive, their mental health should be kept active. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by following a routine helps individuals overcome difficulties and complications.  

Paralysis is caused by damage to the nervous system and can affect one side or a few parts of the body. Paralysis treatment depends on the type and the part affected. Fortis Hospital provides one of the top-notch paralysis treatments in India. It has state-of-the-art facilities and experienced neurologists who can greatly improve outcomes.