HEREDITARY HEMIPLEGIA Meaning and
Definition
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Hereditary hemiplegia, also known as familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), is a rare genetic neurological disorder characterized by episodes of paralysis or weakness that affects one side of the body, referred to as hemiplegia. This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning it only requires one copy of the mutated gene to be present for the disorder to develop.
The paralysis or weakness experienced during hereditary hemiplegia episodes typically lasts from minutes to hours, but can sometimes persist for days. These episodes may be accompanied by other migraine-like symptoms such as severe headaches, visual disturbances, and sensory abnormalities. In some cases, individuals with hereditary hemiplegia may also experience more severe neurological manifestations such as seizures and cognitive impairments.
Mutations in several genes have been associated with hereditary hemiplegia, and these mutations can disrupt the normal function of ion channels in the brain. These ion channel dysfunctions are thought to alter the balance of electrical signals in the brain, leading to the development of hemiplegia and other symptoms associated with the condition.
There is currently no cure for hereditary hemiplegia, but management mainly focuses on preventing or minimizing the frequency and severity of episodes. This may involve the use of medications to treat acute symptoms, as well as preventive measures such as avoiding triggers and making lifestyle changes. Genetic counseling can be beneficial for individuals with a family history of hereditary hemiplegia, as it can help identify potential carriers of the genetic mutation and provide information regarding the risks and inheritance pattern of the disorder.
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H. with atrophy, present at birth.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEREDITARY HEMIPLEGIA
- gereditary hemiplegia
- bereditary hemiplegia
- nereditary hemiplegia
- jereditary hemiplegia
- uereditary hemiplegia
- yereditary hemiplegia
- hwreditary hemiplegia
- hsreditary hemiplegia
- hdreditary hemiplegia
- hrreditary hemiplegia
- h4reditary hemiplegia
- h3reditary hemiplegia
- heeeditary hemiplegia
- hededitary hemiplegia
- hefeditary hemiplegia
- heteditary hemiplegia
- he5editary hemiplegia
- he4editary hemiplegia
- herwditary hemiplegia
- hersditary hemiplegia
Etymology of HEREDITARY HEMIPLEGIA
The term "hereditary hemiplegia" is composed of two main components:
1. Hereditary: The word "hereditary" is derived from the Latin word "hereditarius", which means "inherited". It refers to a trait or condition that is passed down from one generation to another through genetic factors.
2. Hemiplegia: The word "hemiplegia" is derived from two Greek roots: "hemi", meaning "half", and "plegia", meaning "paralysis". Hemiplegia is a medical term used to describe paralysis or weakness affecting one side of the body, typically caused by damage to the motor pathways in the brain.
Therefore, "hereditary hemiplegia" refers to a condition characterized by the inherited tendency to develop paralysis or weakness on one side of the body due to genetic factors.
