In this informative article, I will explain all the necessary information that you need to know about cerebral palsy, symptoms, causes, risk factor, treatment and you can protect yourself from cerebral palsy.
What Is Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is also known as (CP), is a group of disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination vision, sensation, and hearing disorder in most cases.
Cerebral Palsy is the major cause of motor disabilities among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cerebral Palsy affects 1.5 to 4 out of every 1,000 children.
Symptoms Of Cerebral Palsy
Symptoms and signs of cerebral palsy depend on the stage of the disease.
These are the major signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy.
- Delays in reaching motor skill milestones, like rolling over, sitting up alone, or crawling
- Lack of muscle coordination
- Involuntary movements
- Excessive drooling and problems with swallowing
- Variations in muscle tone, such as too floppy or too stiff
- Delays in speech development and difficulty speaking among children
- Difficulty walking and sitting
- Spasticity or stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes
- Several neurological problems, like seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness
- Difficulty speaking
- Eating difficult
- Sucking difficult
- Chewing difficult
- Learning difficulties
- Intellectual disabilities
- Delayed growth, resulting in a smaller size than would be expected.
Causes Of Cerebral Palsy
Abnormal brain development or injury in the brain can cause cerebral palsy because the damages or under development will affect the movement and coordination of the brain negatively.
- Maternal infections that affect the developing fetus.
- A fetal stroke occurs when there’s not enough blood supply to the developing brain.
- Lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery.
- gene mutations that cause abnormal brain development.
- Severe jaundice in the infant.
- Encephalitis, meningitis, and other brain infection can also cause cerebral palsy
- Bleeding into the brain in the womb.
- Motor accidents, physical abuse, and other injuries can cause traumatic injury to an infant.
Risk Factor Of Cerebral Palsy
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Twin or triplet
- Very low Apgar score
- Breech birth, which usually occurs when the baby’s buttocks or feet come out first
- Rh incompatibility occurs when the mother’s blood Rh type is incompatible with her baby’s blood Rh type.
Other Associated Health Conditions Of Cerebral Palsy
People that are living with cerebral palsy are at higher risk of these diseases.
- Osteopenia, a poor bone density that can make your bones easily breakable
- Dental problems
- Communication difficulties such as speech and language disorders
- Drooling.
- Spinal deformity.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Contractures.
Treatment Of Cerebral Palsy
There are numerous methods of treating cerebral palsy, depending on the stage of the disease. Surgery medication is the most effective method of treating cerebral palsy.
Surgery
Several surgeries can be carried out to treat cerebral palsy. Orthopedic surgery is one of the surgeries that can be used to relieve pain and improve mobility.
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) can also help to reduce pain and spasticity. SDR involves cutting nerves that are very close to the base of the spinal.
Orthopedic surgery will help to release tight muscles and also correct bone abnormalities caused by spasticity.
Medication
Medication is also one of the most effective methods of treating cerebral palsy.
When it comes to treating cerebral palsy your doctor may prescribe these medications
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Dantrolene (Dantrium)
- Baclofen
- Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
There are also some effective injections of botulinum toxin type A ( Botox) or intrathecal baclofen therapy, where the drug will be delivered by an implantable pump.
Assistive aids such asÂ
- Eyeglasses
- Hearing aids
- Walking aids
- Body braces
- WheelchairsÂ
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Counseling or psychotherapy
- Social services consultations are also among the most effective methods of treating cerebral palsy.
Prevention Of Cerebral Palsy
The protection of cerebral palsy is the most important part of the article. It is very important for those who are cerebral palsy-free at the moment. Prevention is better than cure that is why you need to try as much as you can to protect yourself from cerebral palsy
- Get vaccinated
- Get quick medical care whenever you notice any sign or symptom of cerebral palsy.
- Go for a regular medical check-up during your pregnancy so that you’ll be able to lower the risk factor of cerebral palsy for you and your baby.
- Go for a regular medical check-up during pregnancy so that you will be able to prevent premature birth, low birth weight, and other related health issues during pregnancy.
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, hard and illegal drugs because they are the major causes of cerebral palsy.
Now you know all the necessary information about cerebral palsy, symptoms, causes, risk factors, and treatment. Now you know how you can prevent yourself. Cerebral palsy is a preventable and curable disease if you follow the necessary instructions from your doctor.
