Paralysis definition
In accordance with medical science, loss of muscle function for one or more than one muscles is considered to be the state of paralysis. It means any person whose muscles lose their normal functioning and hence results in restriction of the body movements and makes a person dependent upon others completely or to some extent is said to be suffering from paralysis. There is also sensory loss or loss of feeling in the affected body area. Such symptoms are predominantly found in patients whose body has undergone some sensory and the motor damage.
Some specific body parts or the entire body may be affected by paralysis. Depending upon the extent of damage to the muscles or the body areas, paralysis may be classified into complete paralysis and the partial paralysis. In some patients, one side of the face is affected by face and it is referred to as facial paralysis. In case of complete paralysis, the patient is generally bed ridden and may need an attendant to accomplish his/her daily chores.
Paralysis Causes
As per the experts in the medical field, paralysis is chiefly caused as a result of some injury to the nerves in the spinal cord or brain. Additionally, some injury to the head and even multiple sclerosis may also result in paralytic attack. Some other chief causes of paralysis are as follows.
Trauma that may be caused due to herniated vertebral disk, broken or detached spinal cord, or direct injury to a nerve may give rise to this condition.
Certain neurological diseases such as Cerebral Palsy, Bell’s Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Peripheral Neuropathy are also amongst the most common and major causes of paralysis.
Some infectious or autoimmune diseases such as HIV, Lyme disease, Spondylitis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome are also considered to be the chief culprits of this life debilitating condition.
Brain tumor, trauma, hemorrhage, or stroke may also sometimes lead to paralysis.
Exposure to toxins, radiation or poisons may also become the key causes of paralysis in some cases.
Paralysis Types
Depending upon the body area or the part affected by paralysis, it can be classified into following types.
Monoplegia
Suggested by the name, it is the paralysis of limb and basically one limb. Chiefly, it is caused due to cerebral palsy. At the same time, stroke, tumor or brain injuries may also become the causative factors for this type of paralysis.
Hemiplegia
It is a type of partial paralysis that basically affects an arm and a leg on the same side of the body. Hence one side of the body may get disabled totally.
Paraplegia
It is the paralysis of the body parts below the waist. It means the lower body is affected badly due to this type of paralysis. Generally, both legs and hips are affected by this type of paralysis.
Quadriplegia
This type of paralysis affects the body of the patients below the neck region. The basic meaning of Quadra is four and hence it affects all four limbs and the torso. This type of Paralysis may be caused due to spinal cord injuries that may be caused following a heavy velocity accident, falls or sports injuries.
Paralysis in view of ayurveda
Like all other diseases or disorders related to the human body, paralysis is also caused due to vitiation or imbalance of certain doshas in the human body. It is related to ‘Pakshaghata’ as per ayurvedic viewpoint. It is chiefly caused due to disturbance or imbalance of the Vata dosha in the body. The Vata dosha gets aggravated as a consequent of which the Srotas and Snayu that are referred to as tendons get dried up in certain parts of the body. And it is due to this action that the muscles in the affected area lose their functions and sensation. Since imbalance of the Vata dosha has a key role to play in paralysis therefore ayurvedic line of treatment lays emphasis on reduction and elimination of the same from the body. For this, certain types of therapies and other treatment options are used.
Ayurvedic therapies for effective paralysis management
There are certain therapies that are recommended by the experts in the ayurvedic medicine field for most excellent management of paralysis. These therapies are aimed at normalizing the flow of Prana Vayu in the body. This in turn helps in healing the trauma or the damage caused to the affected cells, tissues and nerves in the body. As a result of this, normal muscle functions are slowly retained. Also it is aimed at improving the blood circulation in the entire body and strengthening of the muscles. Such treatments are readily offered at renowned clinics like Nidanam Wellness Clinic where expert doctors like Dr. Jyotiraditya Aggarwal diagnose the patients and recommend the therapies best suited as pet their unique physical conditions and needs.
Abhyangam
The entire body of the patient is massaged for clearing any blockages or other obstructions in the normal flow of blood to the muscles and nerves. The muscles are also relaxed and any stiffness in the muscular system is also got ridden of quite effectively. Choicest of the herbs are used for massaging that help in relieving any discomfort in the body quite effectively.
Padabhyanga
This ayurvedic therapy is meant to massage the feet and the lower limbs. It helps in offering great relaxation to the muscles and ligaments in the lower part of the body. People who suffer from paralysis in the lower body get greatly benefited with the help of this therapy.
Pizhichil
The nerves and the muscles are stimulated to start performing their normal functions aided by this wonderful massage. It involves offering massage to the patients with the help of warm oil. The muscles and nerves get relaxed and strengthened.
Sneha Vasti
The main aim of this therapy is to reduce and eliminate the Vata Dosha the vitiation of which is the major culprit for causing paralysis.
Paralytic patients may opt for a natural and totally safe cure for most excellent management of this condition excellently. It helps in retaining the normal functions related to the affected body areas.