Treatment for Paralysis
Paralysis: When a person is affected by paralysis, he loses control over some parts of his body, like his legs, hands or torso. The person then has to depend on family members to help him accomplish the simplest of tasks. Apart from the loss of muscle movement, the person also experiences loss of sensation and numbness in the affected area. Thus, he cannot feel climatic changes or pain in those parts of the body. Minor paralyses can be treated through medication and physiotherapy, and the person may be able to regain control over the parts of the body that were affected.
Types of Paralysis: The type of paralysis depends upon the area that has been affected.
• Monoplegia – in this one of the limbs is affected
• Diplegia – in this both limbs get affected
• Paraplegia – the trunk as well as the legs are affected
• Hemiplegia – in this, one side of the body gets affected by paralysis
• Quadriplegia – in this the four limbs and the trunk are affected
Causes of Paralysis: When the central nervous system gets impaired, then it leads to paralysis. Nerve impairments generally take place because of the following reasons:
• Strokes can cause paralysis because when a person suffers from a stroke, there is a sudden loss of control and function of a part of the brain. The brain then cannot send reflexes and cannot receive stimuli from the other nerves.
• Tumors, trauma, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy can also cause paralysis.
Diet and physiotherapy are the two main aspects in the treatment of paralysis.
• Diet: B vitamins such as niacin and vitamin B12 are essential for the functioning of the nervous system. Foods such as nutritional yeast, bananas, lentils, beans, and potatoes are high in Vitamin B complex and so at least one of these foods should be included in every meal. Essential fatty acids too are extremely important as they help to reduce any inflammation present in the body as well as maintain the health of the nervous system. Walnut, flaxseed and pumpkin seed oil are high in these fatty acids and should be used while cooking.
• Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy is generally a slow and laborious process but it can help to regain movement in the paralyzed limb/s. Physiotherapy should be started as soon as possible as prolonged periods of complete rest can cause the stiffening of the limbs. Many people who suffer from Monoplegia or Diplegia have been able to regain the use of their limbs. Perseverance and patience is necessary as physiotherapy may take two or three years to provide substantial benefits.
