PARALYSIS, Palsy
Paralysis or palsy (pôl'ze) , complete loss
or impairment of the ability to use voluntary muscles, usually as
the result of a disorder of the nervous system. The nervous tissue
that is injured may be in the brain, the spinal cord, or in the
muscles themselves. Accordingly there may be general paralysis,
involvement of only one side (hemiplegia), paralysis on both sides
at one level (paraplegia or quadriplegia), or localized paralysis
in a small group of nerves or muscles.
The cause of paralysis may be any injury that tears or compresses
the nerves; it may be hemorrhage, tumor, infection, or substances
toxic to nerve tissue. One of the most frequent causes of paralysis
is stroke, in which hemorrhage, thrombosis, or obstruction of a
cerebral vessel interferes with nerve function. Another disorder
in which a resting tremor is one of the main symptoms, accompanied
by slowness and poverty of movement, muscular rigidity, and postural
instability is Parkinson's disease. Cerebral palsy is due to an
injury to the brain motor tissue before or during birth. However,
this disorder is nonprogressive. Partial or complete paralysis often
accompanies multiple sclerosis.
Homeopathic Medicine & Treatment for Paralysis
#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
Hahnemann commented on the power of Rhus in curing paralysis of
the lower extremities, and here it has proved exceedingly useful.
It is especially adapted to all forms of paralysis which are of
a rheumatic origin or brought on by getting wet or exposure to dampness
in any form. Also in paralysis caused by nervous fevers and typhus.
There is much stiffness in the limbs, a dragging gait, and it suits
particularly chronic cases, though it may be of great use in such
forms as acute infantile paralysis. In this latter affection Sulphur should not be forgotten. Rhus vies with Causticum in paralysis of
the muscles, eye and facial, from damp cold, especially in those
of a rheumatic diathesis. Dulcamara is in many respects similar
to Rhus. It has simple paralysis of the lower extremities, or a
beginning paralysis worse from damp weather, or caused by lying
on the damp ground. Not so suitable chronic cases. Cocculus has paralysis of the lower extremities from cold, recent cases with
pain in the paralyzed part. Hysterical paralysis. Natrum
muriaticum is also valuable in paralysis from cold.
#Causticum. [Caust]
This remedy also has paralysis from exposure to the cold of winter.
Facial paralysis from exposure to dry cold weather. Cowperthwaite
published a large number of cases of facial paralysis cured with
Causticum 30, and its value in this affection seems established.
It has also paralysis of single parts, face, tongue, pharynx, etc.
In paralysis which is remote form apoplexy, the paralysis remaining
after the patient has recovered otherwise, inability to select the
proper word is an important indication. Other evidences of its paretic
conditions are found in the aphonia and the weakness of the sphincter
vesicae. It is also a great remedy in ptosis of rheumatic origin. Kalmia also has this, while the ptosis
of Sepia is dependent on menstrual difficulties. Jahr lauds Causticum
in paralysis. It is more apt to be right-sided. Baryta carbonica.
There are more contractions and spasms under Causticum than Baryta,
which causes paralysis by producing degeneration of the coats of
the blood vessels. Bayes recommends Baryta in facial paralysis and also in paralysis of old people, and Hartmann
says that glossal paralysis can scarcely ever be cured with Baryta.
It also has paralysis after apoplexy; there is want of steadiness.
Facial paralysis of young people where the tongue is implicated.
#Gelsemium. [Gels]
Complete motor paralysis, rather functional than organic in origin.
It is one of our best remedies in post-diphtheritic and in infantile
paralysis. Paralysis of the ocular muscles, ptosis; the speech is
thick from paretic conditions of the tongue. Paralysis from emotions.
Aphonia, paralysis of the larynx. Conium has paralysis of central region; the sensation is little involved
, and the tendency of the paralysis is to move from below upwards.
Acute ascending paralysis. Paralysis of the aged. Argentum
nitricum. Post-diphtheritic paralysis; also paraplegia. Nux
vomica. Paralysis of the lower extremities, contractive sensations
and heaviness in the limbs. Paralysis of the bladder in old men.
#Aconite.
Hempel, who used Aconite for all ailments claimed that it was the
sovereign remedy for almost every species of paralysis, and its
symptoms are certainly indicative of the truth of his assertion.
It has the well-known numbness and tingling. Facial paralysis accompanied
with coldness from exposure to dry, cold winds, especially in acute
cases, well indicate the remedy. Paraplegia with tingling. Rhus,
Sulphur and Causticum have paralysis from cold. Cannabis Indica
and Staphisagria have tingling.
#Plumbum. [Plum]
Paralysis, with atrophy, is the watchword of Plumbum. Wrist drop,
paralysis of the extensors. Paralysis due to sclerosis or fatty
degeneration. Paralysis with contractions. Bayes states that he
has not seen any beneficial results from Plumbum in paralysis of
the lower extremities,and it does seem to affect the upper extremity
more than the lower. Ptosis, heavy tongue, constipation, paralysis
after apoplexy, with pale, dry cold skin. Tremor followed by Paralysis.
Paralysis agitans. The mercurial tremor resembles this affection,
and hence Mercurius should be a remedy
for paralysis agitans; Plumbum, Atropine sulphate, Zincum and Hyoscyamus
are the principal remedies in this affection. The paralysis of Plumbum is probably of spinal origin. Cuprum is quite similar to Plumbum
in many paralytic conditions; it seems, however, to have more cramping.
#Phosphorus [Phos]
has also proved useful in paralysis from fatty degeneration of the
nerve cells, and in such cases the symptoms will point to it. Progressive
spinal paralysis calls for the remedy. Alumina has paralysis of the lower extremities, especially of spinal origin.
The legs are so heavy that the patient can scarcely drag them; weariness
even while sitting. Dr. Arnulphy thinks Phosphorus homoeopathic to all forms of paralysis due to degenerative processes
and especially when resulting from a drain on the sexual system.
Functional paralysis from fatigue. |
