Paralyzes, paresis

Title: Paralysis, Paresis

Complete loss of voluntary movements is called paralysis, partial loss - paresis. With paresis, despite a decrease in muscle strength, movements in one or another volume are possible. Paralysis and paresis develop due to diseases of the brain and spinal cord, as well as peripheral nerves. They should be distinguished from limitation of movements (contractures), which occur due to diseases and injuries of joints, muscles and ligaments. Paralysis resulting from impaired blood supply, inflammation or injury to the brain and spinal cord is called central. They are combined with tension in the muscles that fix the affected limbs in a certain position: usually for the arm - flexion, and for the leg - extension. Paralysis resulting from disease of the peripheral nerves (inflammation, trauma, poisoning, for example, paralysis, lead, arsenic) or the areas of the spinal cord where these nerves originate are called peripheral.

In these cases, the muscles become flabby, lose weight, the limb hangs like a whip, the joints become loose. If such paralysis occurs in childhood, as, for example, with polio, then the affected arm or leg is stunted. With advanced paralysis, stiffness appears in the joints, which leads to incorrect position of the limb, and this often limits movement more than the paralysis itself.

If there is a disease of the cranial nerves (inflammation, trauma, intracranial hemorrhage), paralysis of the facial muscles may occur. For example, with paralysis of the muscles of the eyeball, the patient experiences double vision, with neuritis of the facial nerve, the movements of the facial muscles on the corresponding half of the face are lost, damage to the hypoglossal nerve causes paralysis of the muscles of the tongue - it is difficult for the patient to speak and eat.

Treatment of paralysis is carried out under the supervision and prescription of a doctor and usually begins with the treatment of diseases of the circulatory system and the central or peripheral nervous system, of which they are a complication.

Elimination of limb function disorders as a result of the development of paralysis or paresis begins with placing the arm or leg in the correct position. For the hand, this position is slight flexion at the elbow joint, extension at the wrist joint and slight flexion of the fingers; for the leg - moderate flexion at the knee joint, dorsiflexion of the foot, preventing it from sagging. The leg and foot should not be turned outward.

To maintain the correct position of the limb, soft rollers (made of tightly twisted cotton wool covered with fabric) or splints made of plastic materials are used. However, the affected limb should not remain immobilized. Therefore, from the very first days they begin passive gymnastics - alternate flexion and extension in the joints of the sore arm or leg. This gymnastics can be done by the patient himself, who has received precise instructions from a health care worker, especially if the arm is paralyzed.

Restoration of movements is also facilitated by exercises in which the patient tries to simultaneously move the healthy and diseased limb. When movements appear, you should strive to increase their volume. Every day the patient should try to move at least 1-2 cm more than the previous day.

As muscle strength increases, you can also include exercises with moderate loads - a rubber band, an expander, a rubber ball for hand exercises. Only such a gradual increase in load leads to good results. Rushing into over-the-top exercises is detrimental and slows recovery.

The exercise program is drawn up by a physical therapy methodologist. Orthopedic devices are used to facilitate movement in weak limbs.

Therapeutic exercise is usually carried out simultaneously with massage, medication and physiotherapy.

Prevention of paralysis consists mainly in the prevention of those diseases and injuries that may be complicated by their development. Vaccination of children against polio is especially important. In production, when working with lead, arsenic, and mercury, you must follow the rules