Hemiparesis vs. Hemiplegia: What’s the Difference

Hemiparesis Definition

The term “hemiplegia” refers to a condition where the brain does not produce enough blood flow or oxygenated blood to certain parts of the body (e.g., lungs, heart).

A person with hemiplegia may have difficulty breathing due to lack of oxygenation. They may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness and confusion. The most common cause of hemiplegia is stroke. Other causes include infections such as pneumonia and meningitis, tumors like glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and other diseases such as sickle cell disease.

Hemiplegic patients are usually unable to move their limbs or even breathe without assistance from others. They often suffer from severe headaches, muscle weakness, memory loss and depression. Some people with hemiplegia have no problems breathing at all.

A hemiplegic patient may have a few different types of hemiparesis. These include:

• Paraplegia – where the brain produces less than normal amounts of blood flow to certain areas of the body (e.g. paralysis of the lower limbs)

• Monoplegia (or monoplegia) – where one limb is paralyzed

Hemiplegia

Hemiplegia is a condition that affects the brain, causing it to produce less than normal blood flow or oxygenated blood to certain parts of the body (such as the legs or arms). This results in pain and paralysis. It is a common condition that affects thousands of people every year.

Hemiplegia is most commonly caused by a stroke, but can also be caused by other conditions such as cancer or trauma. In some cases, it is difficult to determine exactly what caused the condition.

Hemiplegia affects each person differently and the functioning of the body is often divided into four groups:

1. The upper limbs and the head are not affected.

2. The lower limbs are not affected, but the head is.

3. The lower limbs are affected, but the head is not.

4. The lower limbs and head are both affected.

Hemiplegia can be very difficult to live with and can cause severe problems with mobility. Learn more about the condition here.

Facts about Hemiplegia

There are a number of facts about hemiplegia that many people do not know, including:

1. Stroke is the most common cause of the condition.

2. Other causes include brain tumors, diseases and trauma.

3. The condition affects males and females equally.

4. Most cases occur in people above the age of sixty.

5. Alcohol withdrawal and street drug use can also cause the condition.

Hemiplegia treatment

There is no cure for hemiplegia, but there are treatments available that can help sufferers cope with some of the symptoms. These include:

1. Medication – Depending on the cause of the condition, a doctor may prescribe medication to help ease the pain and other symptoms.

2. Care – Depending on the severity of the condition, a person may need help performing basic daily activities.

Finding a Hemiplegia Doctor

If you are experiencing symptoms similar to those of hemiplegia, it is important to consult a doctor immediately. In some cases, the condition is caused by serious medical problems such as brain tumors or cysts. Your doctor can perform tests to confirm whether or not you do in fact have hemiplegia.

Once this has been determined, you can then seek treatment.

If you need to find doctors who specialize in treating people with hemiplegia in your area, the Health Center Blue Book is a good place to start. The site features a database of thousands of doctors across the country. Once you have found a doctor, it may be beneficial to do some research on them before making an appointment.

This will give you an idea of what to expect when you visit them.

Sources & references used in this article:

Evaluation of functional outcome measures for the hemiparetic upper limb: a systematic review by S Ashford, M Slade, F Malaprade… – Journal of …, 2008 – ingentaconnect.com

Hemiplegic limb synergies in stroke patients by AK Welmer, LW Holmqvist… – American journal of …, 2006 – journals.lww.com

Relationship between clinical and instrumental balance assessments in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis subjects by Z Sawacha, E Carraro, P Contessa, A Guiotto… – Journal of …, 2013 – Springer