INFORMATION ON CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella like term used to describe a group of chronic disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects thousands of babies and children each year. It is not contagious, which means you can't catch it from anyone who has it. The word cerebral means having to do with the brain. The word palsy means a weakness or problem in the way a person moves or positions his or her body. The disorders are caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas in the brain that disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and posture.

SYNONYMS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

Synonyms and Keywords of cerebral palsy are:
1. Swallowing Disorder.
2. Speech Disorder.
3. Athetoid.
4. Brain Damage.
5. Brain Disorder.
6. Breathing Problems.
7. Cognitive Problems.
8. Cognition, Contractures.
9. Dyskinetic.
10. Dysphagia.

CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY

Causes of Cerebral palsy are:
The disorders are caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas in the brain that disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and posture. Some other Common causes are:
1. Head injury during pregnancy, birth or initial years of life.
2. Jaundice.
3. Difficulty during birth.
4. Low blood sugar level in child.
5. Congenital brain conditions.
6. Hemolytic disease of the newborn.
7. Meningitis.
8. Maternal infections.
9. Maternal alcoholism.
10. Maternal drug abuse.
11. Prematurity.
12. Stroke.
13. Brain injury - bleeding in the brain.

SYMPTOMS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

Main Symptoms of cerebral palsy
1 Weak or shrill cry.
2 Odd positions - The child's body is at times very stiff while at times it is very flexible, and may show arch like postures.
3 Smaller muscles in affected arms or legs - Movements in affected parts are restricted.
4 Abnormal sensations and perceptions - Difficulty in identifying common objects.
5 Skin irritation - Drooling affects skin, near the mouth, lips; affects muscles.
6 Dental problems - Cavities and gum diseases develop due to difficulty in brushing.
7 Accidents - Due to uncontrolled muscle movements, diminished strength and spasms, falls and other accidents are at high probability.
8 Infections and long-term illnesses - Risk of pneumonia in children due to problem in eating; and risk of heart and lung diseases in adults.
9 Improper regulations of motor tasks.
10 Difficulty maintaining balance or walking.
11 Involuntary movements.
12 Slow developmental processes such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or walk.
13 Difficulty in sucking and swallowing

DIAGNOSIS OF CEREBRAL PALSY

Test of cerebral palsy:
1. Medical history.
2. Physical examination.
3. Screening tests.
4. Magnetic resonance image.
5. Intelligence testing, to identify below-normal intelligence.
6. Seizures.
7. Electroencephalography.
8. Vision or hearing.
9. Psychological evaluation.
10. X-rays.
11. Gait analysis.
12. Testing motor skills and reflexes.

TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY

Treatment of cerebral palsy are:
1. There is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, treatment is needed to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and perform abilities normally.
2. Physical therapy.
3. Medications - including antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, anticholinergics - to control seizures.
4. Orthopedic surgery - to overcome impairments.
5. Biofeedback.
6. Massage therapy and hatha yoga.
7. Speech therapy.
8. Occupational therapy.
9. Nutritional counseling.
10. Special braces- for muscle imbalance.
11. Psychological and emotional counseling.