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Lee, DO — By Jenna Fletcher on October 5, 2022Hemiplegia refers to paralysis on one side of the body. It can affect the legs, arms, and facial muscles on the left or right side. It is not a condition, but a symptom of other conditions. Conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or brain tumors can cause hemiplegia. Depending on the cause, it may be temporary or permanent. Treatments focus on helping to restore movement to the muscles as well as addressing the underlying condition. This article reviews hemiplegia’s causes, types, treatments, and more. What is hemiplegia Share on PinterestJohnny Greig/Getty ImagesHemiplegia means weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. “Hemi” comes from the Greek word for half, referring to the fact that hemiplegia affects one-half of the body. Though there are several potential underlying causes, including genetics, hemiplegia happens due to brain injury. Some people may refer to hemiplegia as hemiparesis. While some individuals may use the term interchangeably, the National Library of Medicine states the difference is:hemiplegia refers to severe or complete loss of strengthhemiparesis refers to a relatively mild loss of strength A person may be born with hemiplegia or acquire it. Doctors generally classify the condition as congenital hemiplegia if the brain injury occurs before, during, or soon after birth up until the age of 2 years. If the injury occurs later, doctors may refer to it as acquired hemiplegia. Symptoms of hemiplegia Hemiplegia affects either the left or the right side of the body. If the left side of the brain is injured, paralysis occurs on the right side of the body, while injury on the right side of the brain causes symptoms on the left side of the body. Symptoms can range in severity and can affect people differently. They may include:loss or lack of balancedifficulty walkinginability to grasp objectsimpaired coordinationmuscle fatigue A person may also develop symptoms due to a traumatic brain injury unique to the brain injury itself. These may include symptoms such as:changes in behaviordifficulty speaking seizuresdifficulty with concentration, memory, attention, or thinkingconfusion, agitation, and restlessness Children with hemiplegia may show signs such as:delayed walkingwalking on their tip toeskeeping one hand fistedfavoring one hand over the other before the age of 12 years What causes hemiplegia Several conditions can cause hemiplegia. The following are some common examples. Stroke Stroke is a leading cause of hemiplegia in both children and adults. In children, the causes of the stroke may go unknown. Two common causes include congenital heart disease and several genetic blood clotting disorders that can cause embolus, thrombosis, or hemorrhage. How to identify a stroke Symptoms and signs of stroke come on quickly and suddenly. It is vital for a person to get emergency medical help as soon as possible to help improve their outlook. Common signs that could indicate stroke include sudden:numbness or weakness in the arm, face, or leg, often on one side of the bodydifficulty seeing in one or both eyesdifficulty understanding speech, confusion, or issues with talkingdifficulty with walking, loss of balance, lack of coordination, or dizzinessa severe headache with no known cause Learn more about stroke. Brain injury Brain injury can occur due to blunt force trauma. Injury may occur due to falls, physical assault, car accidents, and injury during contact sports. If the injury affects only one side of the brain, it can cause hemiplegia. In babies, brain injury may occur in the womb. Prematurity, brain impairment, and lack of oxygen can cause this. Learn more about brain injury. Brain tumor Brain tumors can lead to the development of hemiplegia, among other symptoms. As the tumor grows, it can damage the brain, causing a person to experience worsening symptoms. Learn more about a brain tumor. Brain infection Certain infections, such as meningitis, can cause brain damage in severe cases. If the damage occurs on one side of the brain, it can lead to hemiplegia. Genetics Alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is a type of hemiplegia that often results from a mutation of the ATP1A3 gene. Sometimes, the condition results from a mutation in the ATP1A2 gene. AHC is a rare disorder in which a child experiences repeated episodes of weakness or paralysis affecting one side of the body. The paralysis may alternate between both sides. Diagnosis A person may need one or more tests to help diagnose the underlying condition that causes hemiplegia. In some cases, doctors may recommend repeating tests at different times to help determine the cause. Some possible tests include:blood testsbrain imaging scansblood vessel scans When to seek urgent care A person should seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear suddenly. Sudden symptoms, such as muscle weakness or paralysis, can signal a stroke. A person should call 911 for urgent care. If other people are present, the 911 operator may ask them to perform first aid. If possible, a person should note down when the symptoms first began. Treatment and management There are several ways of treating hemiplegia and its causes. A person should work with a doctor to determine the best treatment options for them, as every treatment will differ depending on the individual case. Physical therapy Physical therapy can help with improving muscle strength through exercises and stretching. They may also help improve a person’s balance, coordination, and other movement concerns. Assistive devices Assistive devices cover a range of tools a person can use to help improve mobility. According to the American Stroke Association, assistive devices, such as walkers, braces, or canes, can help improve strength and movement. Modified constraint-induced movement therapy mCIMT This is a form of treatment that forces the person to use the weakened part of their body. Regular therapy can help with improving nerve function. Occupational therapy Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on rehabilitating a person who has experienced injury or disability. An occupational therapist will support a person in adjusting to life with their condition. Programs may focus on readjusting to social, work, family, and home life. Prevention It is not always possible to prevent hemiplegia from developing, but a person can take some measures to reduce their risk. People can help avoid blunt force trauma to the head by:wearing a helmet at construction sites, while riding a bike, or when on a motorcyclewearing appropriate safety equipment on work sites and when playing contact sportswearing seatbelts in automobiles To help prevent stroke, a person can make lifestyle changes to benefit the heart. This can include:achieving and maintaining a moderate weighteating a diet rich in nutrients and fibertaking regular exercise Further measures include:quitting smoking, if necessaryavoiding excessive alcoholmanaging diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol levelsgetting regular checkups for cholesterol and blood pressuretaking heart medication as prescribedfollowing recommendations for treating any underlying heart disease Outlook Though everyone is different and results can vary based on the injury to the brain, a person may be able to regain some strength and function with physical therapy and other treatments. A person should follow their doctor’s recommendations and participate in therapy as directed for the best chance of good results. Living with hemiplegia Experiencing hemiplegia can be difficult and stressful. However, there are ways a person can help them adjust. A person can make changes to their home and daily routine to help improve their safety. Actionable steps can include:installing grab bars in the shower or bathfitting raised toilet seatsinstalling rampsusing a tub bench and plastic strips to help limit the risk of slippinginstalling handheld shower headsusing electric toothbrushes, razors, and other small devicesusing long handled brushes, special cleaning mitts with pockets for soap, and other assistive devices that help with everyday tasks such as washing, combing hair, and brushing teeth Discussing the condition with friends and family can help a person build a rewarding support network. This may help reduce the risk of mental health issues. Supporting people with hemiplegia Depending on the severity of their hemiplegia, a loved one or friend may need minimal to significant levels of support. This can include helping take care of everyday tasks to installing safety features around the house, such as grab bars or new shower heads. A person may also need additional emotional support as they go through changes in their daily life. They may benefit from psychotherapy, occupational therapy, or simply having a friend to talk with. People with hemiplegia may also need help with financial support and concerns. They may qualify for financial disability support if they can no longer work. Frequently asked questions The following sections provide answers to some common questions about hemiplegia. What is the difference between hemiplegia and hemiparesis People sometimes use the terms hemiplegia and hemiparesis interchangeably. However, the subtle difference is that hemiplegia refers to severe or complete loss of muscle strength or paralysis, while hemiparesis refers to a generally milder loss of muscle strength. What is crossed hemiplegia Crossed hemiplegia is a type of paralysis that affects one side of the face and the opposite arms or legs. Summary Hemiplegia is a symptom of brain injury that can occur in children and adults. The characteristic feature is paralysis or weakness, ranging in severity from mild to severe, on only one side of the body. Several underlying conditions can cause hemiplegia and several different types. A person should seek medical treatment to help improve their outlook and address any underlying conditions. Last medically reviewed on October 5, 2022StrokeNeurology / Neuroscience 9 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Alternating hemiplegia. (2022).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/alternating-hemiplegiaHemiparesis. (2019).https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/physical-effects-of-stroke/physical-impact/hemiparesisHemiplegia/hemiparesis. (n.d.).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen/852561Karmarkar, S. A., et al. (2021). Hemiplegia.https://www.childneurologyfoundation.org/disorder/hemiplegia/Li, S., et al. (2018). Post-stroke hemiplegic gait: New perspective and insights.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2018.01021/fullPrevent stroke: What you can do. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/prevention.htmStroke signs and symptoms. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs_symptoms.htmTraumatic brain injury. (2020).https://medlineplus.gov/traumaticbraininjury.htmlWhat is hemiplegia (n.d.).https://contact.org.uk/help-for-families/information-advice-services/hemihelp/what-is-hemiplegia/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Susan W. Lee, DO — By Jenna Fletcher on October 5, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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