What does a patient with hemiplegia typically experience?

A patient with hemiplegia typically experiences paralysis that affects one half of the body. Hemiplegia is a condition characterized by complete or partial paralysis of one side (hemisphere) of the body, often resulting from a stroke or brain injury. This paralysis can involve the arm, leg, and facial muscles on the affected side, leading to significant mobility and functional challenges.

While loss of balance can be a related symptom due to the weakened state of muscles on one side, it is not the defining feature of hemiplegia itself. Similarly, weakness in one arm only would not encompass the broader paralysis that includes both the arm and the leg on the affected side. Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, can occur in patients with neurological impairments, but it is not a primary symptom of hemiplegia. Thus, the defining characteristic of hemiplegia is the paralysis affecting one entire side of the body.