Abstract

A CLINICO-ANATOMICAL CONSIDERATION OF PAKSHAGHATAM (PARALYTIC AFFLICTIONS)

Dr. Amit Kumar Shukla, Dr. Vijay Kumar*

Abstract

Paralysis or palsy means loss of muscular power due to interference with the nervous system. Paralysis is classified according to whether it depends on the disease of the brain, spinal cord, or nerves: hence the terms-cerebral, spinal and peripheral paralysis. When muscular power is weakened as the result of some affection of the nervous system, the term applied is paralysis. Various technical names are given to various forms of the disease. Hemiplegia is applied to paralysis affecting one part of the face, along with the corresponding arm and leg. Diplegia means a condition of more or less total paralysis. Monoplegia is the paralysis of a single limb; and paraplegia signifies paralysis of both sides of the body below a given level, usually from about the level of the waist. Creeping paralysis is a vague term applied most often to locomotor ataxia; shaking paralysis is the popular name for paralysis agitans; and wasting paralysis commonly means progressive muscular atrophy.

Keywords: Paralysis, Hemiplegia, Diplegia, Monoplegia, Paraplegia, Creeping paralysis.