Do You Know Cerebral Palsy ?

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for the effects of damage to a developing brain by various causes. It is connected with a range of symptoms, including muscle weakness and movement problems. The damage to the brain usually occurs early on in its development, either in the baby during pregnancy or during the period soon after birth. Symptoms may include difficulties in walking, balance and motor control, eating, swallowing, speech or coordination of eye movements. Some people affected by cerebral palsy also have some level of intellectual disability. No two people with cerebral palsy are affected in exactly the same way. 

What are the different types of cerebral palsy?

Each child is unique, and cerebral palsy takes different forms depending on which area of the brain has been damaged. Doctors usually make a diagnosis after looking at the brain injury using an MRI brain scan and considering the patient’s most dominant movement problem.  They also monitor the child through developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling, walking. There are four main types of cerebral palsy: spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, or mixed when the patient has more than one movement disorder. Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common form, accounting for around 80% of all cases. This type typically involves muscle tightness, which makes movement difficult and can affect speech and bladder control. It can affect part or all of the body. Many patients with spastic cerebral palsy also have some involuntary movements and are therefore referred to as mixed.  Dyskinetic cerebral palsy accounts for 10-15% of cases, and is often one of the most severe forms of cerebral palsy. It causes involuntary movements, changes in muscle tone and also affects posture and/or movement. Ataxic cerebral palsy accounts for around 5% of cerebral palsy, and affects fine coordination of movements, for example balance, posture, gait, control of eye movements and depth perception.

What are the causes of cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy may arise during pregnancy, but can also be caused by complications at birth, or following injury or illness after birth. It is often difficult to pinpoint exactly what has caused the damage to the brain because many different things can work together to create each person’s unique set of symptoms, including:

·         Changes in the genes inside the brain’s cells can affect how the brain develops

·         The brain can sometimes develop in an unusual shape or structure

·         Infections during pregnancy or physical injury can cause damage to the brain

·         Complications of premature birth

·         Critical illness at birth (known as neonatal encephalopathy), which sometimes causes a shortage of oxygen to the brain 

Examples of cells found in the brain: Many different types of cells interact to carry signals around the brain and between the brain and body. Cerebral palsy is difficult to treat because it can involve damage to all of these types of cells and their connections.

How is cerebral palsy treated now?

Today’s therapies focus on making the symptoms of cerebral palsy more manageable. There is no cure, but teams of healthcare professionals work together with the patient to tackle the different aspects of their cerebral palsy. This might include physiotherapy and occupational therapy to improve movement and mobility, as well as speech therapy to improve communication skills. Muscle relaxants are available to tackle muscle stiffness, and other medicines are available to help with feeding problems in babies. A number of specialist organizations provide support for families and information on available therapies.

Come and improve your quality of life with us---

         Hello Psychologist Child Development Counseling Center Lucknow


Call For Appointment =   9415370790,  9369160546

https://www.facebook.com/child.psychologist.lucknow

https://www.facebook.com/schoolcounselor.childpsychologist

https://www.facebook.com/Careercounsellorlucknow