Hemiparesis is a type of disorder that affects the essential organs like the face, hands and legs on one side of the body. It is the paralysis or muscle weakness of a single side of the body. Trauma, tumors, cerebral palsy, congenital disorders or multiple sclerosis cause hemiparesis. However, one of the significant causes of hemiparesis is an individual's prevalence history of stroke [2]. Weakness or paralysis of the hands, legs and facial features of one side of the body could have an overall impact on the quality of life of the suffering individuals and their family who supports them. It could affect the ability to walk, sit, balance, handle objects and coordinate the organs. The inability to move and balance could have a significant effect on the mental health of an individual.
1. Left hemiparesis
Left hemiparesis causes weakness or paralysis in the organs in the left portion of the body. It results from a significant defect in the functioning of certain regions, majorly present in the right side of the brain, which is responsible for handling body parts located on the left side of the body. Since left hemiparesis results from discrepancies in the right side of the brain functions, it might also have issues related to nonverbal communication like writing, numerical analysis and specific behavioral patterns in compliment.
2. Right hemiparesis
Contrary to the left, right hemiparesis is responsible for causing paralysis or extreme weakness in the body parts present on the right side of the body. It is majorly a result of damage at certain regions on the left side of the brain, which is responsible for adequately controlling and functioning organs at the right of the body. Memory and analytical ability of an individual might also be impacted in complement with right hemiparesis as it affects the left side of the brain.
3. Weakness on one side of the body
Paralysis or weakness at one side of the body, known as hemiparesis or unilateral paresis, affects the overall balance and movements of the affected individuals. It is majorly a result of some brain injury or brain damage caused due to specific illness that results in a reduced supply of blood flow at one side of the body. Muscle fatigue due to the weakness on one side of the body results in loss of precision, movements and leaning on the unaffected portion of the body. Even though a side of the brain impacts the opposite side of the body, brain damage sometimes results in paralysis of the body parts on the same side, known as ipsilateral hemiparesis. Therefore, a right hemiparesis might result from brain dysfunction in the right brain region. In contrast, left hemiparesis might result from brain dysfunction in the left area of the brain.
4. Left hemisphere stroke
A left hemisphere stroke affects the functioning of brain regions by halting the flow of blood and oxygen present at the left side of the brain, which causes paralysis or weakness of particular body parts and sensory organs located on the right side. Since the left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for the smooth and normal functioning of vision, speech and language understanding, a left hemisphere stroke could impact them all.
The symptoms of hemiparesis could be observed easily through self-diagnosis. However, a proper imaging technique could medically confirm its prevalence. Physical therapy that aims to improve blood flow through specific postures or movements could help improve the motility of the affected individuals. An electric stimulation could help increase the blood flow on the affected body parts, thereby improving the overall movement of an individual. The recovery time of the individuals affected with hemiparesis highly depends on the treatment therapy, the level of invasion (the number of body parts impacted) and an individual's motivation to recover.