What is Hemiplegia?

Hemiplegia is a disorder in which one side of the body is paralysed due to brain damage or spinal cord injury. It produces muscle stiffness, weakness, and difficulty with muscle control. The severity of hemiplegia symptoms varies depending on where the damage occurred and how severe it was.

Congenital hemiplegia occurs when hemiplegia develops before, during or within the first two years of life. Acquired hemiplegia is the one that arises later in life. Hemiplegia is not a progressing condition. Symptoms do not worsen once the illness has started.

What is the difference between Hemiplegia and

Hemiparesis

?

Hemiparesis is a weakening or lack of strength on one side of the body that is minor or partial. Hemiplegia is a loss of strength or paralysis on one side of the body that is severe or complete. Both terms are used interchangeably however, the main difference between the two disorders is their severity.

What causes Hemiplegia?

The following are the several causes of hemiplegia:

• Genetics

In children, an exceedingly rare mutation of the ATP1A3 gene can result in alternating hemiplegia. It causes hemiplegia symptoms that appear and disappear. About one in every million persons suffers from this condition.

• Stroke

One of the most common causes of hemiparesis is a stroke. The size and location of the stroke can affect the severity of muscular weakness you suffer. Hemiplegia in children is most commonly caused by strokes in the womb.

• Brain trauma

A blow to the head might result in lifelong brain damage. Hemiplegia might arise if the trauma affects one side of your brain. Car accidents, sports injuries, and attacks are frequent causes of brain trauma.

• Brain infection

A brain infection can harm the cortex of the brain permanently. Bacteria are the major cause of most brain infections. Other infections may be viral or fungal. Brain abscess and spinal epidural abscess are two other possible causes.

What are the symptoms of Hemiplegia?

The left or right side of your body can be affected by hemiplegia. Symptoms on the opposite side of your body are caused by whatever side of your brain is impacted. Hemiplegia can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on how severe it is. There are several symptoms of hemiplegia, which include:

• Muscle spasticity or chronically tensed muscle 
• Poor fine motor abilities 
• Muscle weakness or stiffness on one side
• Inability to walk due to poor balance
• Having difficulty gripping objects

Hemiplegic children may also take longer than their classmates to accomplish developmental milestones. They can even play with only one hand or hold one hand in a fist.

If a brain injury causes hemiplegia, the damage to the brain can generate symptoms that are not specific to hemiplegia, such as:

• Memory issues
• Speech problems 
• Lack of focus
• Seizures
• Behavioural changes