| Cerebral palsy is not a disease it is a condition. | | | | neonatal care in recent years, the incidence of |
| Cerebral refers to the brain and palsy means | | | | cerebral palsy has not decreased.TypesAthetoid |
| weakness or lack of muscle control. In addition, | | | | cerebral palsy affects the ability to control muscles, |
| cerebral palsy is not a single problem, but a complex | | | | leading to involuntary and uncontrolled movements in |
| disease in which virtually all brain cell types could need | | | | the affected musclesSpastic cerebral palsy is the |
| repair. Approximately 90 percent of all cases are | | | | most common type of cerebral palsy. Approximately |
| caused by brain injury during the prenatal period | | | | 60 percent of all individuals with cerebral palsy have |
| (before labor begins). This condition is caused by | | | | spasticity that is characterized by tense, contracted |
| damage to brain cells that control the movement of | | | | muscles. Doctors will often describe which type of |
| muscles. A person with cerebral palsy can have mild | | | | spastic cerebral palsy a patient has, based on which |
| to severe physical disabilities. There are varying | | | | limbs are affected.Ataxic cerebral palsy affects the |
| degrees of therapies depending on the degree of | | | | sense of balance and depth perception. Children who |
| condition. However, just because a person has | | | | suffer from ataxic cerebral palsy can be described as |
| cerebral palsy, it does not mean they will have other | | | | being very shaky and unsteady.SymptomsChildren |
| disabilities. | | | | with cerebral palsy may develop eating difficulties, |
| Causes and RisksRecent studies suggest that | | | | bladder and bowel control problems, breathing |
| cerebral palsy is mostly due to factors affecting the | | | | problems, and learning disabilities. Children with |
| brain before birth. In about 70 percent of cases, | | | | cerebral palsy have limited use of their arms due to |
| cerebral palsy results from events occurring before | | | | the dysfunction of their neural motor control and |
| birth that can disrupt normal development of the | | | | stiffness of their joints. Dysarthria is common in |
| brain. This condition is caused by an injury to the | | | | people with cerebral palsy, due to problems involving |
| brain during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth. | | | | the muscles that control speech and mastication. |
| The symptoms are usually not noticeable at birth. It | | | | Although Cerebral Palsy is a permanent condition, as |
| was previously assumed that it was caused by fetal | | | | a person learns and grows and practices skills, more |
| distress, such as a lack of oxygen, during the birth | | | | control over movement may be |
| process. However, lack of oxygen at birth has not | | | | achieved.TreatmentTreatment of cerebral palsy |
| been shown to be the major cause. The motor | | | | requires a team of specialists to help maximize and |
| deficits of babies are usually unrecognizable before | | | | coordinate movement, minimize discomfort and pain, |
| 4-6 months of age.A preemie's risk of cerebral palsy | | | | and prevent long-term complications. Because the |
| is much higher than that of a full-term baby. In | | | | symptoms of cerebral palsy can cause behavioral and |
| addition, exposure to herpes group B viruses was | | | | emotional problems, many children benefit from |
| associated with a two-fold increase in risk. | | | | counseling or behavior therapy. It is also not "curable" |
| Reproductive/urinary tract infections also may | | | | in the accepted sense, although education, therapy, |
| increase the risk in a preterm delivery. Preemie's are | | | | and applied technology can help persons with cerebral |
| already at risk for cerebral palsy and account for | | | | palsy lead productive lives.The goal of drug therapy is |
| approximately one-third of the cases. Adequate | | | | to reduce the effects and prevent complications. |
| prenatal care may reduce the risk of the unborn | | | | Physical, speech, and occupational therapy along with |
| baby.Viral infections, lead poisoning, or head injuries | | | | counseling today are employed to help people lead |
| that occur early in life can result in acquired cerebral | | | | healthy, productive lives. Most children with cerebral |
| palsy, a less common condition. Spastic cerebral palsy, | | | | palsy benefit from early and regular physical and |
| the most common type, is a condition in which there | | | | occupational therapy. In addition, education, therapy, |
| is too much muscle tone. However, cerebral palsy is | | | | and applied technology can help persons with cerebral |
| NOT a progressive condition, meaning that it does | | | | palsy lead productive lives.ConclusionWith early and |
| not worsen over time. Cerebral palsy generally is a | | | | ongoing treatment, the disabilities associated with |
| long-lasting (chronic) condition.There are roughly 8,000 | | | | cerebral palsy can be reduced. People living with |
| infants born with this condition each year and some | | | | cerebral palsy are usually able to live independently in |
| 1,200-1,500 preschool age children acquire cerebral | | | | the community, with or without assistance. With |
| palsy annually. Most children are diagnosed by age 5. | | | | support and treatment, though, many people with |
| Despite significant improvements in obstetric and | | | | cerebral palsy can live healthy, happy lives. |