Cerebral Palsy is characterized as a group of persistent disorders of movement, development, and posture. This means that an affected person may have trouble with these things, although the range may vary from person to person. For instance, some individuals with Cerebral Palsy don’t experience significant brain damage while others do. Some can’t stand-alone or sit while others can, albeit with stress, and some can get around with a walker or cane while others have to use a wheelchair.
This condition can happen either through uneven development during a pregnancy where the roots of the brain that are liable for balance and movement don’t evolve properly, or it can occur during birth for a mixture of reasons. For example, the baby’s oxygen could be jeopardised as she or he is being born. It can also occur after birth (shortly after birth) for a variety of reasons. However, in 75% of cases, the disorder happens sometimes during a pregnancy, leaving only a quarter of instances to occur shortly afterward.
Symptoms
People encountering Cerebral Palsy may have a shorter head than average, a tinier jawbone than others, and may have a spinal curvature that makes it hard to walk and stand. Some may drool, and language and speech problems are common, probably thanks to the smaller jawbone and cognitive difficulties associated with the condition. Intellectual disabilities are also common: deafness and blindness, depending on the severity of the case.
Other symptoms of the disorder are weak coordination, stiff and soft muscles, and shiverings. Some patients may also have problems while swallowing, and some babies with the condition may not be able to suck appropriately, which leads to a lot of difficulties when it comes to feeding.
Three Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy is classified into three main kinds: Athetoid, Spastic, and Ataxic.
- Athetoid Cerebral Palsy is caused by injury to the basal ganglia or cerebellum. These two brain regions work in contrast to create stable, coordinated movements and maintain body posture. Damage to one or both of these regions generates an asymmetry that may cause a kid to develop uncontrolled, uncoordinated movements, particularly in the arms, face, and trunk. Subsequent problems with speaking, eating, picking up objects may also result from the imbalance. Nearly 10% of those with Cerebral Palsy are Athetoid.
- Those with Spastic Cerebral Palsy have right, weak, or stiff muscles, causing difficulty for the person while making controlled movements. Those with stiff or tight muscles will find it problematic to fully extend arms and legs, while those with weak muscles may not stand unaided. Spastic Cerebral Palsy is the most prevalent type of cerebral palsy, accounting for nearly 80 percent of all cerebral palsy cases.
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is characterized by poor coordination of movements and low muscle tone. Ataxic kids look very weak and shaky and have a deranged sense of balance and sounding perception. This is apparent when walking, which is unstable and can match an intoxicated adult. Ataxic children can also experience shaky hands, which makes it hard to hold a pencil and write.
Although Cerebral Palsy is not growing (the brain damage does not worsen), there is no cure (brain damage cannot be repaired yet) tight, stiff, or weak muscles become increasingly alarming. Hence, the kid could get older without treatment or therapy and, in severe cases, surgery. As a result, the kid could become more dependent on their parent or caretaker and less capable of leading a wholly independent life. Regular and appropriate therapy administered from an early age can significantly increase mobility and coordination skills, confidence, and enhance the quality of life.
Disclaimer: This article is a mere overview of Cerebral palsy for those who are curious about the condition. The article does not indicate any insult towards a person diagnosed with it. NYKDaily wishes good health and a speedy recovery to every individual.
