The Ministry of Public Health reveals that over 13,000 Thais die annually from paralysis, averaging 37 people per day. Paralysis occurs when the brain lacks blood due to narrowing, blockage, or rupture of cerebral blood vessels, causing the brain to lose control over the functions of various organs. Observing the onset of the disease is crucial because the earlier the symptoms are recognized and the faster medical treatment is sought, the greater the chance of reducing death or disability.
What causes hemiplegia and paralysis?
The causes of hemiplegia and paralysis usually come from
- Brain-related diseases, such as cerebral artery blockage causing brain ischemia, brain hemorrhage, brain cancer, or cerebral blood vessel rupture due to hypertension or brain aneurysm
- Spinal cord diseases, such as spinal fractures, spinal dislocation, infections of the spine or spinal cord, tumors in the spine or spinal cord
Risk factors for hemiplegia and paralysis
- People aged 65 years and older or elderly
- Men have a higher chance of developing the disease than women
- People with hypertension have a threefold increased risk of paralysis because weakened blood vessel walls are prone to rupture, leading to paralysis
- People with diabetes, as high blood sugar thickens and narrows blood vessel walls, resulting in poor blood circulation and insufficient brain supply
- High blood lipid levels cause fat deposits to stick to blood vessel walls, thickening and hardening them, narrowing the vessels and reducing blood flow to the brain
- Smoking, as toxins in cigarettes damage organs including the lungs, heart, and blood vessels, reducing oxygen levels in the blood and causing insufficient supply to various parts
5 Signs of Hemiplegia and Paralysis That Require Immediate Medical Attention
The most important symptoms to know and regularly observe are as follows:
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg suddenly
- Difficulty speaking, inability to speak, slurred speech, or inability to understand speech suddenly
- Vision problems, blurred vision, or double vision in one or both eyes suddenly
- Dizziness, vertigo, inability to walk, difficulty walking, unsteady walking, or loss of balance while standing and walking suddenly
- Severe headache suddenly without known cause
How does hemiplegia and paralysis affect patients?
- Muscle weakness on one side, possibly both arm and leg
- Balance problems, such as inability to sit, stand, or walk even if muscle strength remains
- Communication problems; some patients cannot speak or understand spoken and written language (global aphasia), some cannot speak but understand (motor aphasia), some have difficulty speaking (dysarthria)
- Neglect of one side of the body, often occurring in patients with left-side weakness
- Numbness or pain on one side
- Memory, thinking, and learning problems
- Difficulty swallowing
- Problems controlling urination and defecation
- Easy fatigue
- Emotional instability, such as laughing or crying loudly
How is hemiplegia and paralysis treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and underlying disease of the patient, such as
- Brain surgery when caused by cerebral hemorrhage
- Inserting embolic agents into blood vessels when caused by cerebral aneurysm
- Administering clot-dissolving drugs when caused by blood clots
- Giving blood thinners to prevent blood clots in vessels
- Controlling underlying diseases such as managing hypertension, diabetes, and high blood lipid levels
- Physical therapy to rehabilitate arm/leg muscles or speech therapy
How can we prevent hemiplegia and paralysis?
- Regular annual health check-ups to detect diseases that cause hemiplegia and paralysis
- Exercise regularly
- Eat nutritious food and reduce intake of fats, starches, and sugars
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
If any of the above symptoms occur suddenly, suspect the early signs of hemiplegia or paralysis and immediately go to the nearest hospital for diagnosis and treatment within 4.5 hours from the onset of symptoms. Ideally, choose a hospital that provides 24-hour acute ischemic stroke care with specialists ready to administer clot-dissolving drugs at all times, increasing the chances of recovery.
Dr. Lalitpan Sudprasert
Neurology Specialist
Internal Medicine Center, Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
