What is hemiplegia? I'd also like to know about its causes and prevention!

What is hemiplegia? I also want to know the causes and preventive measures!

Hemiplegia, read as "hen-mahi" or "kata-mahi," refers to a state of "hemiparalysis" where one side of the body (left or right) is paralyzed. Paralysis occurs on one side of the body (either the right or left half), and typically the paralyzed limbs tingle and are accompanied by pain. In addition, it may present symptoms such as headaches, memory loss, dementia, incontinence, weakness on one side of the body, and walking difficulties. If the hemiplegia is on the right side of the brain, "neglect" may remain as a sequela, and if on the left side, "aphasia" may remain. However, there is no need to worry unnecessarily as it is a disease that can be cured with early detection and proper rehabilitation and treatment.

Hemiplegia is a particularly common symptom after the onset of a stroke. While hemiplegia can also appear after a subarachnoid hemorrhage, if it occurs without any warning, first suspect cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction. As a preventive measure for hemiplegia, the first step is to be careful in your daily life to avoid cerebral infarction. Incorporate moderate exercise into your daily routine and reevaluate your alcohol consumption and diet. Specifically, it is important to improve lifestyle habits such as excessive salt intake, smoking, and overeating and drinking.

Rehabilitation for impaired function due to hemiplegia: "Gait training"

People with hemiplegia may find daily activities and walking more difficult than before. For those who have difficulty walking properly due to ankle problems, it is recommended to start gait training using a bar under the guidance of a physical therapist. Gait training focuses on the sole of the paralyzed foot. People with hemiplegia have difficulty making contact with the ground using the sole of their foot, so they cannot put enough weight on it and cannot walk properly. However, once the extensor muscles start working, balance will improve, and walking will also improve.

First, hold onto a handrail and step forward with your unaffected foot, pressing it firmly on the floor. Shift your weight from "heel to middle to toes" until you can feel it evenly across the entire sole of your foot. Then, take a step forward with your paralyzed foot and check where the force is concentrated on the sole of your foot. Focus on shifting your weight while your paralyzed foot is forward, and if you notice that your stride width has widened when you step with your unaffected foot, you've succeeded. Continue gait training slowly. Even for those who have suffered a stroke and have had hemiplegia for 10 years, repeated rehabilitation can correct body twists and improve walking speed.

Finger rehabilitation for hemiplegia: "Wrist rotation exercise to hold a teacup"

Many people with hemiplegia complain that their fingers don't move, and this may actually be the most disruptive symptom in daily life. The inability to grasp with the paralyzed hand means that brain signals are not being transmitted effectively to the hand. For those whose fingers show even a slight movement, it means that brain signals are reaching them, so there is a high potential for improvement.

Here, we will introduce "wrist rotation exercise to hold a teacup," which is effective for finger rehabilitation in hemiplegia. The key to this exercise is to be careful not to lean your body towards the paralyzed side when supporting and rotating your wrist. Moving the hand placement from your knee to your thigh, closer to your body, will enhance the effect. Concentrate on your wrist and repeat the exercise of holding it with your unaffected hand and rotating it. Also, as a daily hand rehabilitation exercise, when sitting at a table, lift the hand on the hemiplegic side with your unaffected hand and place it on the table. Simply "being mindful of the paralyzed hand" rather than letting it dangle down will enhance the rehabilitation effect.

The exercises introduced here will have a greater rehabilitation effect if treated at an early stage, but they should gradually improve if you continue without giving up. Training to move the paralyzed half of your body will be challenging, but please train while imagining the rich life that awaits you.