A disease in which the functions of one of the sides of the body are weakened, or there is incomplete paralysis of the limbs, is called hemiparesis. This disease is the result of damage to the cortical neurons of the brain. There is right and left hemiparesis, as well as upper and lower hemiparesis, in which only one limb can be affected. For a more specific designation of the varieties of this disease, the following designations of paresis were introduced: “tetraparesis” - in which all four limbs do not function and “paraparesis” - arms or legs on one side do not function.
Hemiparesis: symptoms
Symptoms of a lesion of the cerebral cortex and their intensity depend on the location of the lesion. The main symptoms of hemiparesis are: agnosia, speech impairment, the presence of cognitive impairment, apraxia, recurrent epileptic seizures, and sensitivity disorders. In the case when hemiparesis (right-sided or left-sided) extends only to the muscles of the legs, arms, or face without any associated symptoms, this indicates the presence of small brain lesions in the upper section of the pons, the brain leg or in the posterior section of the inner capsule.
Symptoms of this disease can be long, acute headaches that have different localization. In addition, the signs of this disease include general fatigue, fever, lack of appetite, sudden weight loss, joint pain. However, there is no standard, strictly limited set of signs of this disease, because they depend on many factors.
This disease can be caused by violations of the structure of the brain, various abnormalities of its development, as well as injuries to the head and spine. In addition, paresis can occur by pinched nerve endings that are located in the spinal column, and atrophy of the peripheral nerves. As a rule, with abnormalities in the activity of the brain, paresis occurs on the opposite side of the body, i.e. with violations in the work of the left hemisphere, hemiparesis will occur on the right and vice versa.
Hemiparesis: treatment
Whatever the type of the disease, its treatment should first begin with eliminating the cause of its occurrence. Only in the presence of systemic therapy of the underlying disease can the symptoms of paresis be removed (weakened) and the normal functioning of the affected limbs restored. Both right-sided and left-sided hemiparesis can be congenital, however, only severe cases make themselves felt even in the perinatal period. In other cases, which are the majority, constant dynamic monitoring of the development of the baby is required, which will make it possible to assess the existing deviations and conduct timely and adequate correction.
To prevent severe mental disorders, movements, speech and increase the chances of recovery, a course of treatment should be started immediately. As soon as the final diagnosis is made, a course of drug treatment and a set of special physical exercises should be prescribed. After discharge from a medical institution, exercise should continue at home. All doctor's prescriptions must be strictly observed, do this regularly. Indeed, only with competent and timely treatment, which includes both medical treatment and physical exercises, coupled with the perseverance and perseverance of parents, in most cases you can completely get rid of this ailment.