Stroke
When lack of proper blood flow to the brain results in cell death, it is called stroke. Broadly there are two kinds of stroke. First is ischemic. It happens due to the lack of sufficient blood flow, and hemorrhagic, on account of bleeding. It can lead to the non-functioning of the part of the brain. Stroke symptoms are:
- An inability to feel or move on one side of the body
- Problems in speaking or understanding
- Feel like the world around is spinning
- Lack of proper vision to one side.
When symptoms last for a short duration – less than one or two hours – it is called a mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A hemorrhagic stroke can also be linked to a severe headache. Stroke symptoms can be permanent. Long-term complications can include loss of bladder control or pneumonia.
High BP is the main risk factor for stroke. Other risk factors are:
- Tobacco smoking
- Obesity
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes mellitus,
- Previous TIA
- Atrial fibrillation.
An ischemic stroke is normally caused by blockage of a blood vessel. It can occur due to less common causes as well. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding into the space between the brain’s membranes or blood flow into the brain.
Paralysis
Damage in the nervous system, particularly the spinal cord, is the reason for paralysis. Other major causes:
- Stroke
- Trauma with nerve injury
- Poliomyelitis
- Cerebral palsy
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Parkinson’s disease
- ALS
- Botulism
- Spina bifida
- Multiple sclerosis
- Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Temporary paralysis can happen during REM sleep. Lack of proper regulation of this system may cause bouts of waking paralysis. Paralysis can also be caused by drugs that meddle with nerve function.
Paralysis can happen in generalized or localized forms. Sometimes it can follow some pattern. Most paralyses are caused by the damage to the nervous system (such as the spinal cord injuries). They are permanent in nature. Other kinds of periodic paralysis (including sleep paralysis) are caused by other reasons.