Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of diseases that affect body movement and posture. Cerebral Palsy is often diagnosed in children under two, but some people are not diagnosed until adulthood. Cerebral Palsy is characterized by a range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe.

The diagnosis for Cerebral Palsy is made through observation by doctors with expertise in diagnosing this condition by looking at muscle tone and reflexes in the child’s body. The doctor will also check for abnormalities in how the child moves or walks; they will usually examine their eyes for involuntary movements or strabismus (eye misalignment).

The prevalence of CP in Australia is approximately 2 per 1,000 live births, with approximately 34,000 people living with the disorder. Many technological advances have been made to diagnose and treat cerebral Palsy in recent years, such as braces that can help patients walk more easily or devices that can assist people with their daily routines.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

No one knows what causes cerebral palsy, but it does seem to run in families. Multiple factors may contribute, including an interruption in the brain’s ability to send messages to the muscles. This interruption can be due to infections, lack of oxygen, or injury. The damage to the brain can happen before, during, or after birth. Most of the damage occurs before birth rather than after birth.

Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Every individual with Cerebral Palsy has unique symptoms based on their brain injury or malformation. The type of symptoms someone has depends on which parts of the brain are damaged or malformed. Some people might have difficulty walking, while others might have difficulty talking or swallowing. The signs and symptoms of cerebral Palsy can also change over time as the child grows and matures.

Some possible signs you can look for are:

-Difficulty using one or both hands

-Lack of muscle control on one side of the body

-Inability to walk without help

-Inability to say words clearly

Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy has many types. The most common types are spastic cerebral palsy and athetoid cerebral palsy. The former type affects the muscles on one side of the body, and the latter affects both sides equally.

  • Spastic cerebral Palsy occurs when there is damage to the part of the brain that controls muscles in your body. It causes stiff muscles, tight movements, and involuntary muscle contractions called spasms. 
  • Athetoid cerebral Palsy is also caused by brain damage, but it affects the part of the brain that controls movement in your hands, arms, and legs.

The Effects of Cerebral Palsy on Daily Life

People with cerebral palsy have to deal with various challenges in their day-to-day lives. They are often faced with physical impairments, mental health problems, and social stigmatization. These difficulties include limited use of one’s hands and arms, difficulty walking, spasms in the body, seizures, fatigue, and difficulty with speech or swallowing. A child born with cerebral Palsy has limited use of one’s hands and arms, making it difficult for them to carry out daily tasks such as grasping objects or gripping pencils.

Prevention of Cerebral Palsy

  • It is essential to ensure that pregnant mothers are not deficient in any nutrients, such as folic acid and iron.
  • A baby should not be born prematurely – magnesium sulphate can be provided to the mother if birth is predicted to be very premature to help reduce the risk of brain injury.
  • Mothers should avoid alcohol and smoking during pregnancy, as these substances can adversely affect the baby’s development.
  • If a mother has had a previous child with cerebral palsy, it is important to have genetic counseling before conceiving another child.

Cerebral Palsy Treatment Options and Requirements for Diagnosis

Although cerebral Palsy cannot be cured, various treatments can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those who suffer from it. Cerebral Palsy treatment options are very diverse and accessible for all people:  

  • Therapy sessions (Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy) can improve motor skills.  
  • Speech therapy sessions can improve cognitive skills. 
  • The use of Botox, which is injected into your child’s muscles, can weaken them and reduce spasticity. 
  • Surgery can be performed to repair any damage to your child’s spine or brain.

There are also many requirements for diagnosis – including a clinical assessment by a neurologist or pediatrician.

Conclusion: Facts about Cerebral Palsy

  1. Cerebral Palsy is a Condition that Affects Body Movement and Coordination
  2. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain that happens while a child is still in the mother’s womb or very soon after birth.

  3. The most common symptom is poor coordination or lack of coordination.

  4. Cerebral Palsy is a Life-long Condition with No Known Cure

  5. The Brain Malfunctions as the Result of a Malformation or Injury within the Brain’s Temporal Lobe or Frontal Lobe

  6. The Effects of Cerebral Palsy Can Worsen Without Proper Management

  7. Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways, and it can change over time depending on what parts of the brain are damaged and how much they are damaged.

  8. The risk for cerebral palsy is higher for premature babies and babies with low birth.

Grace Healthcare YCYW can assist in planning for services to support children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. Contact the team at info@grace-healthcare.com.au or go to the https://grace-healthcare.com.au/contact-us-2/.

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