Paralysis is the complete loss of muscle function for one or more muscle groups. Paralysis can cause loss of feeling or loss of mobility in the affected area. Disruption of communication of nerve impulses anywhere along the pathway from the brain to the muscles can impair control of muscle movement and cause muscle weakness and loss of coordination. Muscle weakness can progress to paralysis, loss of the ability to move the muscles.

Paralysis can be complete or partial. It can occur on one or both sides of your body. It can also occur in just one area, or it can be widespread. Paralysis of the lower half of the body, including both legs, is called paraplegia. Paralysis of the arms and legs is quadriplegia. Involvement of only one side is hemiplegia.

The main cause of paralysis is the impairment of nerves in the spinal cord or brain. Stroke, head injury, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis are considered as the four most common causes of paralysis. However, some more brain disorder, infections, or even environmental toxins can also cause paralysis. Have a look at the following list that gives the causes of paralysis.

•  Neurological diseases, such as Cerebral Palsy, Bell’s Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Peripheral Neuropathy
•  Infectious or autoimmune diseases such as HIV, Lyme disease, Spondylitis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome
•  Serious or life-threatening conditions such as brain tumour, trauma, haemorrhage, or stroke
•  Trauma such as a herniated vertebral disk, broken or severed spinal cord, or direct trauma to a nerve
•  Environmental factors such as toxins, radiation or poisons.
•  Exposure to toxins and poisonings are also known to cause paralysis. The degree and extent of neurological deficit depend upon the location and extension of damage to the brain cells or nervous system.

In certain cases along with motor deficits, disturbance of speech (aphasia or dysarthria) and loss of higher functions are also observed.

The distribution of paralysis offers important clues to the site of nerve damage.

Paralysis can affect any body parts and impair body functions in several ways. As a result there are several types of paralysis. However, based on the body region involved there are 4 main types of paralysis.

Facial Paralysis (Ardita)
Facial paralysis is abnormalities of one side of face. When facial nucleus is affected by infarct of the pontine arteries it leads to lacunar infarct affecting fibres in the internal capsule to the nucleus. It leads to the facial paralysis…

•  Monoplegia-Monoplegia refers to the paralysis of limb, most typically one limb. Cerebral palsy is the main cause of this paralysis. However, it may also be caused due to stroke, tumour or brain injuries.
•  Hemiplegia-Hemiplegia is a partial paralysis and affects an arm and a leg on the same side of the body.
•  Paraplegia-Paraplegia is a paralysis of body parts below the waist. It usually affects both legs, hips. People who have paralysis of lower body have difficulty with functions, such as sexuality and elimination.
•  Quadriplegia-Quadriplegia indicates is paralysis of body below the neck. This type of paralysis affects all four limbs, and the torso. Spinal cord injuries occurring following a heavy velocity accident, falls or sports injury can cause this type of paralysis.

Symptoms

•  Difficulty in voluntary function of hand and leg
•  Muscular stiffness in affected area
•  Sometimes muscular spasms-pain
•  Difficulty with speech
•  Difficulty in swallowing food
•  Anxiety, anger, irritability, depression, etc

At Dr.Garje Ayurved Panchakarma Clinic, we offer excellent Panchakarma therapies along with oral medications for treating Paralysis.

The therapies like

•  Abhyanga Swedan-An Ayurvedic full body massage that relaxes the muscles and nerves
•  Nasya-Nasal Administration of Ayurved Medicinal Drugs
•  Virechan-Therapeutic Medicine Induced Purgation Therapy
•  Shiro Basti
•  Sarvanga dhara(Pizhichil), - Pizhichil Ayurvedic Treatment includes massage with warm oil and therefore can stimulate the nerves and muscles
•  ShiroPichu
•  Pind Swed -Navarakizhi, for healing the nerves and strengthening the muscles and nerves
•  Shiro Basti -(Medicated Enemas) for another important part of the treatment. They are the most important component of the treatment to strengthen the tissues and to prevent recurrence. etc. are done as per the necessity and condition for about 4 – 5 weeks.

Apart from these Diet & Life style modifications are essential throughout the treatment of Paralysis. Early intervention of Ayurved treatment maximizes the recovery chances of Paralysis condition.