Hemiplegia and stroke – Learn Jobisite

Hemiplegia In Stroke

Inability to move a group of muscles of one side of the body. When hemiplegia is caused by a stroke, it involves muscles of face, arms and legs Hemiplegia is the term use to describe paralysis of one side of the body. The term can be broken down into “hemi” means “half,” and “plegia,” means paralysis. The most common cause of hemiplegia is stroke. It occurs when stroke affects the corticospinal tracts. The exact cause of hemiplegia is not known , but it appears that when brain is deprived of oxygen , it results in the death of neurons. When the corticospinal tract is damaged, the injury is usually manifested on the opposite side of the body. For example if one has an injury to the right side of the brain, the hemiplegia will be on the left side of the body.Besides all difficulties that come along with not being able to move one whole side of the body, hemiplegia often accompanied with other problems such as:

spasticity
atrophy
focal seizures
pain.

Hemiplegia is a more severe than hemiparesis. In hemiparesis there is weakness on on one side of the body. Hemiplegia may be congenital or may be acquired after an infection, stroke or trauma to the brain. In children hemiplegia is usually congenital- means it is acquired at birth due to unknown cause. The most common cause of hemiplegia in childhood is cerebral palsy. In most cases of hemiplegia stroke, when the injury is to the right side of the brain, the injury will appear on left side of the body and vice versa. The symptoms of hemiplegia stroke vary from child to child . The typical symptoms includes

– There is difficulty in walking
– Difficulty with balance while standing
– Difficulty with fine hand activity like holding, writing, using a spoon.
– There is continous stiffness and spasms in the muscles
– Weakness on affected side
– Seizures are common
– There is Bowel or bladder incontinence
– Delay in developmental growth like crawling, standing, smiling or jumping
– In many children who have cerebral palsy, the mental development is not normal and the IQ is usually below 70
– In adults who suffer from hemiplegia the mental effects depend on severity of the injury.

Once hemiplegia stroke has developed in children, it does not progress but there may be problems associated with muscle spasticity, joint contractures and formation of pressure sores. Mild cases of the disorder may improve and these children may be able to use a wheel chair or an ambulatory like a walking aid. Severe cases are either bed ridden or confined to a wheel chair.

Drugs which are mainly used to reduce muscle spasms and seizures. Sometimes surgery may be done to reduce joint contractures and increase mobility in the joints. Other individuals may benefit from use of orthotic devices, braces and splints. These devices may help the individual to become more independent and be able to walk. Those individuals who are not able to eat may need placement of a feeding tube in the stomach. Physical therapy can increase range of motion in the joint, prevent contractures and may help individuals to become mobile if done regularly.

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