PARALYSIS- A COLLABORATION OF AYURVEDIC AND MODERN
Created By: Siddhendu Bhattacharjee (Reg: 11004022) Sampriti Jana (Reg: 11106231)
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INTRODUCTION:
Paralysis is loss of muscle of muscle functi function on for one or more more muscle muscles. s. Paraly Paralysis sis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed with paralysis. [1] Paralysis is a medical condition characterized by the inability to move one or more muscles. In most cases, a person experiencing this condition also loses all feeling in the affected area. It may be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. If it is the result of damage to the nervous system, it is usually consistent. Sleep paralysis, paralysis, on the other hand, only affects a person during the time that immediately precedes sleep or immediately after after waking up. There are many potential causes of paralysis. The two most common are stroke and trauma, trauma, particularly to the nervous system or the brain. brain. Certain diseases or afflictions, such as poliomyelitis, peroneal dystrophy, spin bifida, Bell’s palsy, and multiple sclerosis may also cause paralysis. Botulism, Botulism, paralytic shellfish poisoning, and certain types of poisons, particularly those that directly affect the nervous system, may also lead to this condition. The precise type of paralysis a person experiences depends on the underlying cause. With Bell’s palsy, for example, the inability to move is usually localized , which means it only affects a small area of the person’s body. Typically, only one side of the person’s face becomes paralyzed as the facial nerve on that side becomes inflamed. When only one side of a person’s body is affected, the condition is considered unilateral . When it affects both sides, it is obilateral . {2}
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DEFINITION:
1. Complete or partial loss of function especially when involving the motion or sensation in a part of the body 2: Loss of the ability to move 3: A state of powerlessness or incapacity to act.
EXAMPLES OF PARALYSIS
1. The disease causes a paralysis of the legs. 2. The whole country is in a state of paralysis of paralysis.. 3. They are trying to end the political paralysis that has been gripping the country.
ORIGIN OF PARALYSIS
Latin, from Greek, from paralyein to loosen, disables from parafrom para- + lyein to loosen First Known Use: 1525
OTHER MEDICINE TERMS
analgesia, angina analgesia, angina,, diabetes diabetes,, hepatitis hepatitis,, homeopathy homeopathy,,logorrhea logorrhea,, palliate palliate,, pandemic In Ayurveda it is known as Pakshaghat.
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CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS Causes
Para Paraly lysi siss is most most ofte often n caus caused ed by dam damage age to the the nerv nervou ouss syst system em or brai brain, n, espe especi cial ally ly the the spin spinal al cord cord.. Majo Majorr caus causes es are are Stro Stroke ke,, Trau Trauma ma,, Poli Poliom omye yeli liti tis, s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Botulism, Spina Bifida, Multiple Sclerosis etc. Paralysis Paralysis may be localized, localized, or generalize generalized, d, or it may follow follow a certain pattern. For example, localized paralysis occurs in Bell's palsy where one side of the face may be paralyzed due to inflammation of the facial nerve on that side. Patients with stroke may be weak throughout their body (Glo (Globa ball Para Paraly lysi sis) s) or have Hemiplegia (weakness on one side of the body) or other patterns of paralysis depending on the area of damage in the brain. Other patterns of paralysis arise due to different lesions and their sequelae. For example, lower spinal cord damage from a severe back injury may result in Paraplegia , while an injury higher up on the spinal spinal cord, cord, such such as a neck neck injury injury,, can cause cause Quadri Quadriple plegia gia.. Patien Patients ts with with paraplegia or quadriplegia often use equipment such as a wheelchair or standing frame for mobility and to regain some independence. The nerve damage that causes paralysis may be in the brain or spinal cord (the central nervous system) or it may be in the nerves outside the spinal cord (the peripheral nervous system). The most most common causes of damage to the brain are: are: •
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stroke tumor trauma (caused by a fall or a blow) Multiple sclerosis (a disease that destroys the protective sheath covering nerve cells) cerebral palsy (a condition caused by a defect or injury to the brain that occurs at or shortly after birth) metabo metabolic lic disord disorder er (a disord disorder er that that interf interfere eress with with the body's body's abilit ability y to maintain itself)
Damage to the spinal cord is most often caused by trauma, such as a fall or a car crash. Other conditions that may damage nerves within or immediately adjacent to the spine include:
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tumor herniated disk (also called a ruptured or slipped disk) spondylosis (a disease that causes stiffness in the joints of the spine) rheumatoid arthritis of the spine neurodegenerative disease (a disease that damages nerve cells) multiple sclerosis
Damage to peripheral nerves may be caused by: •
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trauma compression or entrapment (such as carpal tunnel syndrome) Guil Guilllainain-Ba Barr rréé syndr yndro ome (a dis disease ease of the the nerv nerves es that that some ometim times follows fever caused fever caused by a viral infection or immunization) chroni chronicc inflam inflammat matory ory demyel demyelina inatin ting g polyrad polyradicu iculon loneur europa opathy thy (CIDP) (CIDP) (a condition that causes pain causes pain and swelling in the protective sheath covering nerve cells) radiation inherited inherited demyelinating demyelinating disease (a condition condition that destroys destroys the protective protective sheath around the nerve cell) toxins or poisons
Diagram : 1
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Symptoms
The distribution of paralysis offers important clues to the site of nerve damage. Hemiplegia is almost always caused by brain damage on the side opposite the paralysis, often from a stroke. Paraplegia occurs after injury to the lower spinal cord, and quadriplegia occurs after damage to the upper spinal cord at the level of the shoulders or higher (the nerves controlling the arms leave the spine at that level). Diplegia usually indicates brain damage, most often from cerebral palsy. Mono Monopl pleg egia ia may may be caus caused ed by isol isolat ated ed dama damage ge to eith either er the the cent centra rall or the the peripheral nervous system. Weakness or paralysis that occurs only in the arms and legs may indicate indicate demyelinating demyelinating disease. Fluctuatin Fluctuating g symptoms symptoms in different different parts of the body may be caused by multiple sclerosis. Sudden paralysis is most often caused by injury or stroke. Spreading paralysis may indica indicate te degene degenerat rative ive diseas disease, e, inflam inflammat matory ory diseas diseasee such such as Guill Guillain ain-Ba -Barré rré syndrome or CIDP, metabolic disorders, or inherited demyelinating disease. Other symptoms often accompany paralysis from any cause. These symptoms may include numbness and tingling, pain, changes in vision, difficulties with speech, or problems with balance. Spinal cord injury often causes loss of function in the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs. High spinal cord injuries may cause difficulties in breathing. [5] TYPES OF PARALYSIS Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia) Paraplegia. [6]
DIAGNOSIS
Careful attention should be paid to any events in the patient's history that might reveal the cause of the paralysis. The examiner should look for incidents such as fall fallss or othe otherr trau trauma mas, s, expo exposu sure re to toxi toxins ns,, rece recent nt infe infect ctio ions ns or surg surger ery, y, unexplained headache, headache, pree preexi xist stin ing g meta metabo boli licc dise diseas ase, e, and and fami family ly hist histor ory y of weakness or other neurologic conditions. A neurologic examination tests strength, reflexes, and sensation in the affected area and normal areas.
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Imagin Imaging g studie studies, s, includ including ing comput computed ed tomogr tomograph aphy y scans scans (CT (CT scan scans) s),, magnetic resonance resonance imaging imaging (MRI (MRI)) scan scans, s, or myelography myelography may rev reveal the site of the injury. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity tests are performed to test the function of the muscles and peripheral nerves.
TREATMENT
The The only only trea treatm tmen entt for for paral paralys ysis is is to trea treatt its its unde underl rlyi ying ng caus cause. e. The The loss loss of function caused by long-term paralysis can be treated through a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation includes: •
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Physic Physical al therap therapy. y. The physic physical al therap therapist ist focuse focusess on mobili mobility. ty. Physic Physical al therapy helps develop strategies to compensate for paralysis by using those musc muscle less that that stil stilll have have norm normal al func functi tion on,, help helpss main mainta tain in and and buil build d any any strength and control that remain in the affected muscles, and helps maintain range of motion in the affected limbs to prevent muscles from shortening (con (contr trac actu ture) re) and and beco becomi ming ng defo deform rmed ed.. If nerv nervee regr regrow owth th is expe expect cted ed,, physical therapy is used to retrain affected limbs during recovery. A physical thera therapi pist st also also sugg sugges ests ts adap adapti tive ve equi equipm pmen entt such such as brac braces es,, cane canes, s, or wheelchairs. Occupational therapy. The occupational therapist focuses on daily activities such as eating and bathing. Occupational therapy develops special tools and techniques that permit self-care and suggests ways to modify the home and workplace so that a patient with normal people has no differences. Impairment may live a normal life.
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Other specialties. The nature of the impairment may mean that the patient need needss the the serv servic ices es of a respi respira rato tory ry ther therap apis ist, t, voca vocati tion onal al rehab rehabil ilit itat atio ion n counselor, social worker, speech-language pathologist, nutritionist, special education teacher, recreation therapist, or clinical psychologist.
PROGNOSIS
The likelihood of recovery from paralysis depends on what is causing it and how much damage has been done to the nervous system.
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PREVENTION
Prevention of paralysis depends on prevention of the underlying causes. Risk of stroke can be reduced by controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Seatbe Seatbelts lts,, air bags, bags, and helmets helmets reduce reduce the risk risk of injury injury from motor motor vehicl vehiclee accidents and falls. Good prenatal care can help prevent premature birth, which is a common cause of cerebral palsy. [3] [6] FREQUENCY OF ATTACK IN SLEEP PARALYSIS:
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PERIODIC PARALYSIS:
Periodic paralysis is a disorder of skeletal muscle in which patients experience attacks of muscle weakness of variable duration and severity. The attacks can last from a few minutes to several days. The weakness in an attack can be generalized or focal. Early in the natural history of the disease muscle strength returns to normal after an attack, but later significant fixed muscle weakness often develops. The variability of the symptoms often leads to delays in accurate diagnosis and treatment. 7
Causes: Periodic paralysis is a congenital condition, meaning it is present from birth. Familial periodic paralysis is inherited, but may occur without a known family history. Periodic paralysis is caused by abnormalities of the electrolyte channels on muscles. The inherited form of the disorder is autosomal dominant, which means that only one affected parent is needed to transmit the gene to the baby. When one parent is affected, the child has a 50% chance of getting the disease. Rarely, the condition occurs as a result of a noninherited genetic defect. 9 8
Genetic material
SLEEP PARALYSIS:
Sleep paralysis is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move. It occurs when a person passes between stages of wakefulness and sleep. During these transitions, you may be unable to move or speak for a few seconds up to a few minutes. Some people may also feel pressure or a sense of choking. Sleep paralysis may acco accom mpany pany othe ther slee sleep p diso disord rder erss such such as narc narco olep lepsy. sy. Narco arcole lep psy is an overpowering need to sleep caused by a problem with the brain's ability to regulate sleep. Sleep paralysis usually occurs at one of two times. If it occurs while you are falling asleep, it's called hypnologic or predormital sleep paralysis. If it happens as you are waking up, it's called hypnopompic or postdormital sleep paralysis. 8 PARALYSIS ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA:
It has been discussed in Vata Vyadhi Prakaranam. It is known to be a complicated, as Prana Vatham & Marma (Pressure Points) are involved. Vata involvement is a major factor for its complications. The Modern Life styles, Dietary Habits, Lack of Proper Exercises, Injudicious ways of Physical Activities and Mental Stress and Strain are said to have a definite role in the Occurrences of PAKSHAGHAT. P AKSHAGHAT. The general Pathology described for Vata rogs are Dhathukshaya (Nutritional Deficiencies) and Margavarodham (Obstruction in the Pathways). In Pakshaghata both the above factors have a definite role in the pathogenesis. 9
The Line of Treatment is as follows: “Swedanam Sneha Samyuktham Pakshaghate Virechanam!!” (Ca. Chi) Swedanam (Suddation), Snehanam (Oleation) and Virecanam (Purgation) are the main modalities of treating Pakshaghata Patient. The other Panchakarma Procedures like Nasyam (Nasal Effusion), Vasthi Karma (Medicated Enema Procedures), Siro Vasthi, Kerala Procedures like: Elakizhi (Leaf (L eaf Bundle Massage), Navarakizhi (Shali Shastika Pinda Swedam), Pizhichil (Sarvanga Dhara),Siro Dhara (Pouring of Oil on the Head) etc are done according to the patient’s requirement and severity.Brumhana severity.Brumhana Chikitsa, Vata hara Chikitsa Chikitsa and Marma Chikitsa are indicated. Now days the Panchakarma, Panchakarma, the unique method of Purification Purification is getting worldwide attension as a therapeutic measure, especially in chronic clinical conditions in which no complete cure is available in modern medical system. Researched Internal Medicines are usually prescribed along with Diet and L ife style Modifications. A Vata pacifying diet and proper dietary habit are essential for long-term success. Additional Vata pacifying regimens including daily oil massage and Sensory Therapies complete the treatment. Meditation, Yogic practices, Pranayama, The Breathing Exercises is to be done on a regular and daily basis to overcome the stress and the disease. One should follow Achara Rasayana (The Art of being the Best of Soul) like being Sathwik, following elders advise, keeping and controlling the hard feelings, controlling the mental urges etc. 9
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REFERENCES: 1.
http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKw http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.5184189/k.5 G/b.5184189/k.558 58 7/Paralysis_Facts__Figures.htm
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http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paralysis
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http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/paralysis
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http://www.thefreedictionary.com/paralysis
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http://www.localhealth.com/article/paralysis-symptoms
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http://www.apparelyzed.com/paralysis.html
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Doreen Doreen fialho fialho.. Michae Michaell G. HANNA* HANNA*Peri Periodi odicc Paralys Paralysis: is: Hand Hand Book Book of clinical neurology. Vol-86.
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http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/sleep-paralysis
9.
http://www.ayursages.com/paralysis.html
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