Todd's Paralysis: Symptoms and Treatment

Todd's paralysis is one of the types of neurological disorders associated with the occurrence of excitation sites in the brain. It can last from a few minutes to a day. For the statement of this diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude all other similar pathologies, including organic damage to the nervous system.

Definition

Todd's paralysis is a transitory state that develops after an epileptic fit. Patients may experience paresis or paralysis of the extremities both on one side and with both. Such paralysis is the first warning about the depletion of the nervous system and can be a symptom of cancer or metabolic disorders.

Diagnosis of paralysis can only be done after a magnetic resonance imaging, which excludes the violation of the cerebral circulation and organic damage to the nervous tissue. Additionally, a physician can prescribe an electroencephalography (EEG) to identify foci of epilepsy, dopplerography of the brain vessels, angiography and other tests.

If the cause of seizures is not found, then the treatment is reduced to the reduction of epilepsy.

Causes

Todd's paralysis still remains one of the medical mysteries. And without knowing the reasons, doctors can not develop a mechanism for disrupting the pathological process in order to cure it. On the basis of indirect data, doctors have several assumptions about the nature of the disease. According to the most progressive theory, in the form of paralysis, "the phenomenon of inhibition of the nervous system" is manifested. It is associated with a violation of the transmission of neurotransmitters.

In addition, there are several other reasons:

- several successive epileptic seizures;
- depletion of the brain;
- malignant neoplasm of the central nervous system;
- inflammation of the brain substance, especially viral etiology;
- dissociation of lipid metabolism;
- the presence in the past of ischemic strokes;
- Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

Symptoms

What is the manifestation of Todd's paralysis? Symptoms initially have a similarity with an epileptic fit. For others to observe the attack can be quite difficult, because they have no way to help the patient. But even after the spasms end, a person can not fall asleep and get a happy oblivion. On the contrary, it freezes and can not move hands and feet.

How long does Todd's paralysis last? Symptoms (photos of patients may be traumatic and are considered unethical) are sometimes retained near the nets or more. Doctors most often note the appearance of unilateral paralysis or paresis. Over time, the motor blockade passes without leaving consequences after itself. In medical periodicals, cases of Todd's paralysis with visual impairment and articulation are documented.

At the first encounter with this pathology, symptoms can be regarded as manifestations of a stroke, but after carrying out all the necessary diagnostic measures the primary diagnosis is removed, and the rapid regression of the symptoms confirms the version of paralysis.

Diagnostics

What must be done to confirm Todd's paralysis? The symptoms of the disease are rather vague. It is necessary to exclude all other pathologies in order to be exactly sure of the diagnosis. First of all, the severity of the observed condition and the level of paralysis of the muscles should be determined. For this, a physical examination is carried out and the obtained data are compared with a five-point scale:

1. Five points is a complete absence of symptoms, the patient's muscles are in a state of physiological norm.
2. Four points - the strengths are slightly reduced, but the activity of the limbs still remains. The patient calmly overcomes the resistance of the doctor's hand.
3. Three points - the stiffness of the victim's muscles is noticeable with the naked eye, but the patient is still able to make arbitrary moves, although not as fast as at four points. Overcoming the resistance of the doctor's hand becomes more difficult.
4. Two points - the gravity of the Earth becomes for such a patient an insurmountable obstacle.
5. One point - there is complete paralysis of muscles.

After examination, the doctor collects a thorough anamnesis from the relatives of the patient, examines the medical record, appoints a computer or magnetic resonance imaging. To exclude a stroke, the patient is followed by angiography to identify the epilepsy focus (if there is one in the history), an electroencephalography is prescribed. To determine the concomitant pathologies, ultrasound of the heart and electrocardiography are done.

Only having all the results, the doctor can choose among all the presumptive diagnoses one, the most probable, and start therapy.

Treatment

How can you stop Todd's paralysis? Treatment, although it is purely symptomatic, has low efficiency, since it is difficult to pinpoint the cause of this condition. Therapy depends on the level and severity of paralysis.

If motor disturbances are minor, then specific treatment is not required. Symptoms will go away in a few hours or days. With deeper disturbances, benzodiazepine series preparations such as "Midazolam", "Diazepam", "Lorazepam", "Phosphenytoin" or "Phenytoin" are used. Each of them stops seizures, their consequences. Assigning them, it is necessary to remember that the abrupt reversal of antiepileptic drugs can also provoke an attack.

There are contraindications for the appointment of these drugs. First of all, this is, of course, the intolerance of the components of the drug, as well as the presence of an anamnesis of closed-angle glaucoma and drug or alcohol dependence. In addition, an important role is played by the function of the kidneys, since the drug is mainly excreted in the urine.

Prevention

Post-paralysis of Todd is impossible to somehow warn. This condition has not yet been fully studied, therefore, specific prophylaxis, like treatment, can not be developed. Perhaps, some time later, when the possibilities of medicine become even greater, we will be able to take some steps to eliminate this pathology.

To date, doctors give very vague advice, such as adherence to a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, rejection of bad habits and moderate physical activity. In addition, do not forget about periodic preventive examinations, because any disease is easier to prevent than treat.

Forecast

Todd's paralysis can have both a favorable and unfavorable prognosis. It all depends on the degree of neurological symptoms and the duration of paresis or paralysis. If the neurologist gives a score of "three" or "four" on a five-point scale, then the disease does not cause significant concern, and the prognosis for life and health is favorable. The body quickly recovers after attacks, the condition does not require medical intervention.

If the paralysis lasts a long time, the functions of the limbs are restored for a long time, and the number of attacks increases with time, then the prognosis for life, of course, is unfavorable.

Recent research

Todd's right and left-sided paralysis can progress, and over time, muscle weakness remains even after prolonged treatment. For such patients, as well as other paralyzed people, science can offer a couple of revolutionary ideas. The first of these is the creation of prostheses. To date, there are prototypes of bionic extremities controlled by the power of thought, that is, the device connects to the nervous system and perceives nerve impulses, deciphering signals.

The second method is rather biological. It is based on the restoration of nerve endings with the help of stem cells. Since they have a tendency to almost infinite division, and can also differentiate into any cell of the human body. While experiments on laboratory animals are under way, but if they are successful, it will be possible to hope for a significant breakthrough in the treatment of neurological diseases.