• Paralysis affects millions of people in the United States each year and has many causes.
• Stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or reduced which can then lead to paralysis.
• Spinal Cord Injury is when your spinal cord gets damaged, a damaged spinal canal due to trauma can lead to paralysis.
• Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder that affects nerve cells throughout your body and can cause numbness or weakness in limbs known as paresis or paralysis respectively.
Paralysis is an increasingly common medical condition in the United States, affecting more than 5.4 million individuals with varying levels of physical and mental impairments. The worst part is that it can happen to anyone. Here’s what you need to know about such a disorder and the causes behind it.
Reasons For Paralysis
Paralysis is a condition that affects millions of people in the United States each year. While there are many causes, some are more common than others. Here’s a look at four of the most common causes of paralysis in the U.S., as well as how you can prevent or treat them if you are affected.
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or reduced, resulting in damage to brain cells and affecting physical and mental abilities.
It’s one of the leading causes of disability in adults and is often associated with paralysis on one side of the body, known as hemiplegia. The good news is, stroke prevention and treatment have come a long way in recent years, and with early diagnosis, medical intervention, and rehabilitation therapy, it’s possible for people who have had strokes to regain full or partial physical ability over time.
Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury (SCI) happens when any part of your spinal cord gets damaged. Depending on where the spine injury occurs, it can lead to complete or incomplete paralysis below that point on the body; typically arms, legs, trunk muscles, and sensory function may be affected. Treatment for SCI varies depending on severity but can involve surgery to repair damaged vertebrae or discs and physical therapy to help restore lost strength and mobility.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects nerve cells throughout your body by causing inflammation which damages myelin—the protective covering around your nerves—leading to communication problems between your brain and other parts of your body including arms and legs which leads to numbness or weakness in limbs known as paresis or paralysis respectively.
Treatment for MS depends upon symptoms but may include medications to reduce inflammation and slow disease progression as well as rehabilitation exercises for physical impairments such as muscle weakness or balance issues caused by nerve damage from MS-related lesions along pathways from your brain through your spine into your extremities.
Personal Injuries
Personal injury can also be a cause of paralysis. This injury can result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries, workplace mishaps, and medical malpractice. Treatment for such an injury depends on the severity but may include medications to reduce pain and swelling and physical therapy to help regain strength and restore lost range of motion or mobility.
What to Do to Prevent the Costs
Paralysis is a debilitating condition that can be expensive. Here are ways you can prevent future costs if you do get this condition.
Know a Lawyer
There’s a good chance that a personal injury can lead to paralysis. That’s why it’s important that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer if you think something like this has happened to you. They will be able to help you get the compensation you need for your medical costs and other damages associated with the accident. This can be a huge help in protecting you financially.
Get Insured
Making sure you have the right insurance coverage is key if you are at risk for paralysis. Talk to your insurance provider about what type of coverage would be best for you and your situation. You may need additional coverage such as long-term disability or a personal injury policy, depending on your individual needs.
Find Resources Available
There are organizations that can help you if you have paralysis. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to paralysis research, quality of life initiatives, and advocacy for those living with paralysis. They offer various services including financial assistance and other resources for individuals affected by paralysis.
Finally, it’s important to remember that paralysis can happen to anyone and it’s crucial that you take preventative measures to protect yourself from the costs associated with such a condition. Being aware of the causes, making sure you have adequate insurance coverage, and knowing where to go for help if needed can all help make sure you’re prepared in the event of paralysis.
