HEMIPARESIS: The Villain That Attacks Just The Half of Your Body

Hemiparesis is a neurological condition. Hemi meaning half and paresis means a reduction in muscle strength. So as the name suggests hemiparesis is muscle weakness on one side of your body. One thing to note is that it must not be mistaken with hemiplegia which is not just weakness but complete paralysis of one side of the body.

CAUSES

  • Stroke
  • Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Any sort of bleeding in the brain, between the brain and the outer layers of it, between the skull and outermost membrane can also serve as a cause.
  • Infections affecting the brain (encephalitis, meningitis) or any systemic infection that spreads to the brain.
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Bell’s Palsy
  • Epilepsy or seizures
  • Brain tumour
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy) and many more…

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

  • Weakness in one side of the body
  • Headache
  • Loss of balance
  • Loss of coordination
  • Not being able to lift up leg or arm (either at all or to bring about a full range of motion) due to weakness in the muscle.
  • Finds difficult to stand or to walk or even sit up straight in bed without a support
  • Inability to do simple activities like eating, combing hair, bathing, holding a cup…
  • May affect speech
  • Patient might seem to be irritated or emotional.

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TREATMENT

Hemiparesis is usually an early indication of stroke or TIA. If it is caused as a result of TIA, then it will be resolved on its own after proper restoration of blood flow has happened . If it is due to stroke then we will have to treat the patient for stroke in the first place.

  • Antiplatelets and Anticoagulants are given based on the type of stroke identified.
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activators (t-PA) like Alteplase.
  • Hypolipidemic agents most suitably high intensity statin therapy to prevent secondary stroke by achieving a 50% reduction in the LDL levels (For ischemic stroke).
  • Take appropriate measure to decrease BP.
  • Physiotherapy 
  • Mental therapy/Psychotherapy – Counsel the patient so as to know more about the lifestyle of the patient, any situation that they are facing which is giving them a lot of mental pressure that can lead to a secondary stroke. Reassuring them, suggesting ways to cope up with it, leading you through it and helping you in regaining mental strength.
  • Electrical Stimulation – Sending small electrical charge via the pads placed onto the affected parts so as to make the muscle contract. Over time this trains your muscle to become strong again.
  • Cortical Stimulation
  • Brain exercises to improve coordination and balance.
  • They can be provided with wheelchairs, walkers or any other kind of device that helps them walk alone once they have started walking.
  • Do not leave them alone until the affected person assures you or you feel confident enough to leave them alone with such an assistive device.
  • Follow a nutritious and balanced diet.

PREVENTION

  • Always stay active.
  • Consume a healthy diet.
  • Keep track and maintain a healthy weight.
  • If you are a person with diabetes, HTN or DLP then you are already at a very high risk of developing stroke. So follow check-ups strictly.
  • Any unusual signs like migraine, seizure, feeling weakness in your muscles without a reason, fluctuating BP or blood sugar levels… must go and see a doctor.
  • Unsettling infections should be taken seriously and do not wait or treat it on your own.

Written by Gayathri Gopinadh

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