What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused due to damage to the brain still under development. Typically, children are affected with it during pregnancy itself, birth or shortly afterwards. Raising children with cerebral palsy requires more than medical help, it requires love, care and support throughout their lives. If treatment begins early, people with mild cerebral palsy can lead almost normal lives as adults.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
- Spastic Cerebral palsy:- The most common type of CP is spastic CP. Spastic Cerebral Palsy affects about 80% of people with Cerebral Palsy.People with spastic Cerebral Palsy have increased muscle tone. This means their muscles are stiff and, as a result, their movements can be awkward.
- Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy:- Children with dyskinetic CP have problems controlling the movement of their hands, arms, feet, and legs, making it difficult to sit and walk. The movements are uncontrollable and can be slow and writhing or rapid and jerky. Sometimes the face and tongue are affected and the person has a hard time sucking, swallowing, and talking.
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy:- Children with ataxic CP have problems with balance and coordination. They might be unsteady when they walk. They might have a hard time with quick movements or movements that need a lot of control, like writing. They might have a hard time controlling their hands or arms when they reach for something.
- Mixed Cerebral Palsy:- It causes symptoms characteristic of two or three of the other types. Spastic-dyskinetic cerebral palsy is the most common type of mixed CP.
Therapies
Several different types of therapies are used for children and babies with cerebral palsy. They can improve physical, mental, social, and learning deficits. If started early, therapies for cerebral palsy can reduce impairment and lessen the risk of developing other associated conditions.