Paralysis is a disease condition in which functional loss of muscles will occur. This can be local or generalized based on the cause, affected area etc.
In many of the cases of Paralysis recovery is prominent but if the cause is strong or the injury is deep it may lead to permanent paralysis.
After the attack with paralysis, patient get advised for internal medication, physiotherapy, awareness about disease. As per Ayurvedic approach to paralysis, we treat the condition in a different method. The recovery rate are found to be more than 50%. Atleast the patient become able to do their own needs without any support from others . More clearly Ayurveda aims to improve the quality of life.
* Causes of Paralysis:
There are Causes reported for the paralysis and there for the paralysis manifestation is of different kind that can be enlisted likely:
-Accidents (RTA)
-Fall
-Sporting injures
-Amylotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
-Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
-Cerebral palsy
-Inherited disease
-Bacterial / Viral infections – Polio, Lyme
-Auto- Immune Disorders (GBS)
-Multiple sclerosis.
-Muscular Dystrophy
-Strokes
-Spinal tumors.
* Type of Paralysis :
The condition of paralysis is of different types and they can be classified based on the clinical evaluation.
A) Based on the severity:
Paralysis can be classified as per the grade of muscle function.
1)Partial Paralysis: Paralysis with significant muscle weakness and impaired movement. But there is some control over the affected part.
2)Complete Paralysis: Paralysis with complete muscle weakness.
B) Based on Duration:
In some cases, the paralytic condition may last for very short period and get subsided soon.
eg: sleep paralysis.
stroke
Bell’s Palsy
In this case they will regain partial of Complete control over the affected muscles.
In some other cases, the paralytic condition will be permanent.
eg: severe head or nerve injuries & nuro muscular disorders.”
C) Area affected based:
Paralysis can be of localized in which a small area only affected or generalized may include multiple parts of the body.
Monoplegia : one limb affected
Hemiplegia : two limbs of same side affected
Paraplegia : Lower limbs got affected
Quadriplegia : All the four limbs are got affected
Pathogenesis of Paralysis:
The pathophysiology of paralysis is of varying in type based on the kind of paralysis.
Detailed explanation:
-MONOPLEGIA-
It is the paralysis of a single area of the body, most typically on limb.
*Causes :
– Strokes
-Tumors
-Nerve damage due to injures of disease
-Nerve impingement
-Motor neuron damage
-Brain injuries
-Impacted or severed nerves at the affected location
Usually considered as temporary and can regain the function through physical therapy. If the nerves affected not in severe range.
* Clinical features:
-Weakness or limpness of o single limb.
-Decreased Sensation in Single limb.
-Curling of the toes or fingers attached to the affected limb.
-Difficulty with moving the limb that eventually leads to full paralysis.
-Pain in areas near the limb due to muscle stiffness and loss of muscle control.
* Management:
The treatment is based on the cause.
-Antibiotic treatments If Infection is there.
-Physical therapy
-Exercise therapy
-Psychotherapy
-Surgery to correct anatomical abnormality.
-Awareness on monoplegia.
b) HEMIPLEGIA
This is the form of trauma- Induced Paralysis that affects either side of the body, often just one arm and one leg, but occasionally with symptoms extending partially into the torso.
Hemiparesis is the condition where significant loss in strength and mobility is noted but not complete paralysis.
*Causes of Hemiplegia :
1) stroke
-Ischemic
-Haemorrhagic
2) Brain and Nervous System Infections.
3) Brain trauma.
4)Genetic disorders / Congenital.
5)Brain tumors.
6) Brain Lesions.
7)Brain disease.
8)Psychological condition – Catatonia, Parasomnia.
9)Cardio-Vascular problems & Aneurysms & Hemorrhages
10)Adverse reaction of medicine of Surgery eg: Anesthesia
11)Loss of Oxygen to brain
* Clinical Symptoms :
i) Muscular :
Musculor Atrophy.
spasticity and Muscular spasms.
ii) Partial loss of sensation.
iii) Pusher syndrome – leaning and active pushing towards the hemiplegic side with no compensation For the instability.
Seizures
Difficulty in speaking
* Types of paralysis & Hemiplegia
Facial hemiplegia.
Spinal hemiplegia
Contralateral hemiplegia
Cerebral hemiplegia
Spastic Hemiplegia.
other types:
Congenital
Acquired
* Prognosis
The prognosis may vary according to the underlying cause. and also depends on associated complications.
* Complications of Hemiplegia:
1)Problem with bladder or bowel Control.
2)Unexplained pain on the paralyzed side.
3) Bed Sores develops.
4)Poor blood circulation from the inactivity.
5)Depression and mood swings.
6)Septic infections from untreated Sores.
7) Musculor atrophy
*Management:
There is no proper treatment for hemiplegia. Treating the underlying cause is main Concern.
Medical intervention therapies :
-Blood thinner.
-Muscle relaxants.
-Antibiotics
-Electrical stimulation Modified Constraint-Induced movement therapy
Surgical intervention :
– Remove swelling, lodged in brain.
– Addressing secondary issues.
iii) Therapeutic interventions :
Physiotherapy – Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Psychotherapy
Mental Imagery
iv) Exercises:
-Strength training
-Muscle stretches
– Seated aerobics
-Water aerobics
c) PARAPLEGIA :
It is also called as partial paralysis, in which the function is Substantially impeded From below the level of injury
* Types of Paraplegia:
• -Incomplete paraplegia / Paraparesis:
In the case of incomplete paraplegia, the area is not completely affected
•- Complete paraplegia:
The patient is unable to use both the legs and may experience other tissues, such as loss of bladder/bowel control.
-Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia :
A group of inherited disorders that are I characterized by progressive weakness and spasticity of legs.
* stiffiness in the legs
* Impaired Vision
* Epilepsy
* Lack of muscle Coordination
* Cognitive impairement
* Causes of Paraplegia :
1) RTA
2) Falls
3) Gun shot violence
4) Sports injuries
5) Medical or surgical injuries
6) stroke related
7)Genetic disorders
8) Oxygen deprivation
9) Auto- immune disorders
10) Infections of brain.
11) Lesions of brain
* Risk Factors:
1)Gender: Male > Female
2) Age : 45 +
3) occupation: Heavy job
4) Family history
*Clinical features of Paraplegia
1)Loss of sensation below the area of injury.
2) Phantom Sensation of legs.
3) Reduction in sexual function.
4) Difficulty with bladder and bowel function.
5) Loss of mobility below the level of injury.
6) Mood Swings.
7)Weight gain.
8) secondary infections – Bedsores, infections.
9) Autonomic dysreflexia.
10) Chronic pain
Diagnosis
1) Medical imaging- X rays, MRI, CT
2) Neurological examinations.
3) Electromyography.
Complications
1) pressure sores.
2) Urinary tract infections.
3) Chronic depression.
7) Circulatory disorders.
Management of Paraplegia:
There is no such cure is noted in in case of paraplegia. There are some methods which fastens the recovery:
-Seeking immediate medical attention after injury.
-Investigating paraplegia recovery options.
-Trying to locate paraplegia Support group.
-Making modifications to accommodate mobility limitations.
-Considering psychological therapy.
Suggestive treatments:
Surgical correction
Spinal cord alignment surgery
Medications
Physical therapy
Exercise therapy
Psychotherapy
Awareness classes
Occupational training & therapy
Alternative modalities
Paraplegia exercises :
Yoga
Weight lifting
Water aerobics
seated aerobics
d) Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia
This is a form of paralysis that affects all four limbs, also the torso. This is typically Caused by the damage in the upper spinal cord
The higher the injury is the more extensive the damage. Among these injury to C₁-C₂ are more fatal because of how they disrupt control over breathing and such other critical function.
Causes of Quadriplegia :
-Auto-accidents.
-Falls
-Gunshot- Wounds.
-Diving
-Medical of Surgical Complications.
-Traumatic brain damage
-Inherited conditions
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis)
Musculon Dystrophy
-Vertebral Damage
C₁, C2, C3 – Complete paralysis.
Fatal
Respiratory impairment
C4, Damage – Loss of diaphragm control
Limited ROM
Incontinence to bowel & bladder
C5 damage – Affects vocal cord
Paralysis- leg, hands and wrist
C6 damage – Paralysis of legs
torso & hands
No control on bladder & bowel
Speaking difficulty
C7 damage – Paraplegic
quadriplegia without Complications
Risk Factors
-Gender – Males > Females
-Age – 45 +
-Risky behaviors – Diving, high risk sport
-Carrier related- athlets, construction works
-family history Types of Quadriplegia
1) Incomplete quadriplegia
2) Complete quadriplegia
3) Spastic quadriplegia
Diagnosis
1) Clinical evaluation.
2) MRI Scans.
3) Spinal taps (Lumbar punctures).
4) Blood tests.
5) Electro-myography (EMG) Test.
* Management :
– Exercises
– Surgical corrections
– Medications
– Awareness & motivation Speech and language therapy.
– Physical therapy
– Psychotherapy
Complications
1) Development of sores.
2) Spastic limbs.
3) Urinary tract infections.
4) Muscular Atrophy
5) Chronic pain.
6) Difficulty with bodily awareness
7) Weight gain
8) Respiratory intections.
9) Loss of fertility/ sexual function
AYURVEDIC CONCEPT ON “PARALYSIS”
Ayurveda explained most of the disease along with Cause pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatments in very clear way.
As per Ayurvedic point of view, a disease is manifested because of the Vitiation of doshas:
Vata Pitta Kapha
Because doshas in their equilibrium state is the healthy and when they get Vitiated, it leads to unhealthy. Most of the disease are manifested because of the Vata dosha associated with other doshas also. So, the disease conditions which are Caused mainly by vata dosha are grouped into Vata-vyadhi.
In Vata Vyadhi, it explains about different types of diseases which are manifested because of the dushti/ vitation of vata dosha mainly.
Ayurveda explained about different type of paralysis with their details.
*Nidana (Cause of Paralysis)
1) By using dry, cold, less, and light food more.
2) Excess Sexual intercourse
3) Awakening during night time.
4) Fasting, swimming, heavy exercise, -in excuse
5) Stress,thoughts, anxiety ete in excess
6) Illness everyday
7)Suppression of urge
8) Indigestion.
9)Trauma, excess riding on animal – fall
Pathogenies
By the above mentioned, Causes, Vata in the body get Vitiated and enter into the body channel and make the function improper thereby producing different type of disease which can be Single organ or whole body related
Prodromal Symptoms
There is no such prodromal Symptoms for the Vata vyadhi.
General symptoms
– stiffnen in joints
– Contraction of muscles
– Chances For Fracture of bone
– Horripilation
– Drooling of saliva
– Stiffness on hands, lower back, head region
– Swelling on joints
– Increased sleeping duration / weakness
– Numbness on body
– Different kind of pain.
As per the concept of Paralysis in Ayurveda
It can be – Ekanga (Monoplegia)
Pakshaghatha (Hemiplegia)
Adhakayasadam (Paraplegia)
Sarvanga vatam (quadriplegia)
Among these Pakshaghatham is explained here as it is the most common Variety of paralysis.
Pakshaghatham:
ग्रहीत्वार्थं, तनोर्वायुः सिराः स्नायुर्विशोध्य च
पक्षमन्यतरं हन्ति सन्धिबन्धान् विमोनयन |
कृत्स्नो ] येकायस्तस्य स्यादकर्मण्यो विचेतनः AH N
Vayu (vata dosha) get vitiated by the causes explained above, and it come on contact with body and make the Sira (blood vessel) & Snayu (Tendons) weak and become not able to work properly. This affects one side of the body only. There by the strength of joints get reduced. It makes the half side of body weak and become not able to work properly.
*Types
According to the dosha combinations Pakshaghatham can be of:
-Vata
-Vata-Pittam (DAHA SANTAPA MURCHA )
-Vata- Kapham (SAITHYAM SOTHAM GURUTWA )
-Vata- Pitta- Kapham
Prognosis :
Vata → Difficulty to cure
Vata-Pittam Curable
Vata-Kapha Curable
Vata-Pitta-Kapha Incurable Management
केवलं निरूपस्तम्भमादौ स्नेहस्माचरेत! (CA CI.)
As per the treatment advised for Such causes, the main dosha- Vata Should be treated first, inorder to make in control, as the Vata-dosha plays a major role in this type diseases. For the Pacification of Vata dosha:
Mahasneha can be used for Sneha karma according to the condition.
Sarpi – ghee
Vasa – fat
Thaila – Oil
Majja – Bone marrow fat
The patient should be done with oleation by these medicated Sneha (oleatory) forms. After the saturation of Sneha, the patient can be given Sneha in the form of food
– Peyadi (Porridge)
– Yusha (Soup)
– Mmsarasa (Meat soup) – added sneha
Specific treatment:
स्वेदनं स्नेहसंयुक्त पक्षाघाते विरेचनं।
The pakshaghata treatment consists of:
snehana (Oleation)
Svedana (Sudation)
Virechanam (Purgation)
Snehana:
Bahya (External oleation)
The application of medicated oil on body according to the condition – Abhyangam
– Mahanarayana
– Sahacharadi
– Dhanwantharam
– Prabhanjana Vimardhana
– Karpasasthyadi
– Ksheerabala
– Mahanarayanam
– Bala thaila etc.
Abhyanthara (intermal oleation)
Administration of medicated ghee or oil in a graded dosage according to :
-Condition of patient
-Intensity of disease
-chronicity of disease
B) Swedhanam :
Sudation procedure done by medicated steam, After the Sneha Karma.
Sodhanam :
Virechanam : Induced purgation treatment
Medicated oil, Kashaya lehya etc which are not very strong can be used. The procedure
should be done under the Supervision only.
Vasti: The procedure of enema through rectal route with medicated herbal combinations
Most effective Form of Vasti is the Yoga Vasthi procedure, which include.
– Kashaya Vasthi (Decoction enema)
– Anuvasan Vasthi (Oil enema)
This contains 8 enemas in which 3 are Kashaya vasthi & 5 are oil enema and alternative manner like below
AV AV KV AV KV AV KV AV
OR
AV KV AV KV AV KV AV AV
Nasyam
: The procedure of nasal Instillation of medicated drops in a graded dosage for 3-7 days This procedure is done under the supervision and instruction to patient
a) Samsamana Kriya :
The procedure of pacifying the remaining doshas
– Exterial therapres
*Abhyangam
*Shashtika Pinda Swedam
*Pathra Potali swedam
*shiro Vasthi
*shiro dhara
– Internal medications
Kalpana – Kashaya
– churna
– Gulika
– Thaila Ghee
Agni ayurvedic village is one of the best neuro and stroke rehabilitation care centre in india as well as the most popular Stroke Rehabilitation centre in mumbai We have been treating paralysis patients using traditional ayurvedic therapies, satvik food, authentic medications, yoga, pranayama and meditation along with physical therapy.