Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is caused by the presence of several neurological problems in the brain and nervous system that are affecting the movement as well as co-ordination. Specifically, muscle controlling parts of the brain are affected in cerebral palsy. Usually, the condition develops as a result of the abnormal development of the brain as a result of mutations in the genes or damage to the brain before, at the time of, or shortly after birth. For example, infection caught by the mother in pregnancy or bleeding in the brain of the baby could result in cerebral palsy (NHS, nhs.uk).
Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy may vary according to the area of the affected brain. The symptoms may range from unilateral hemiplegia or hemiparesis to bilateral spastic diparesis or diplegia disturbing both lower extremities, or spastic quadriparesis or quadriplegia disturbing all limbs; hypotonicity showing low muscle tone to hypertonicity showing elevated muscle tone, and ataxia showing poor balance as well as depth perception to non-ataxia. Some infants with cerebral palsy may also show some level of mental problems, and about 40% of the patients also develop seizures (Lescher 59).
Cerebral palsy is still incurable but several treatments are available that could help in reducing most of the symptoms; thereby, helping the patient in living as independent life as possible. These treatments include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and the use of medicines to relieve muscle stiffness as well as spasms (NHS, nhs.uk). Medicines could also help the patient in controlling convulsions and seizures, in overcoming behavior manifestations that could interfere with the achievement of optimum results from different therapies, in correcting metabolic insufficiencies, and in helping parents recognizing the abilities or limitations of their child (Kendall, Marrazzi, and Denhoff 1).
Works Cited
Kendall, P.H., A. Marrazzi, and E. Denhoff. Drugs in Cerebral Palsy: Based on a Symposium Held at Dallas, 24-26 November, 1963. Elsevier Science, 2013. Print.
Lescher, P.J. Pathology for the Physical Therapist Assistant. F.A. Davis, 2011. Print.
NHS. "Cerebral Palsy". NHS Choices. National Health Service, 2016. Web. 03 Feb. 2017 <http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cerebral-palsy/Pages/Introduction.aspx>.
