| Cerebral palsy is not a disease it is a condition. | | | | cerebral palsy has not decreased.TypesAthetoid |
| Cerebral refers to the brain and palsy means | | | | cerebral palsy affects the ability to control muscles, |
| weakness or lack of muscle control. In addition, | | | | leading to involuntary and uncontrolled movements in |
| cerebral palsy is not a single problem, but a complex | | | | the affected musclesSpastic cerebral palsy is the |
| disease in which virtually all brain cell types could need | | | | most common type of cerebral palsy. Approximately |
| repair. Approximately 90 percent of all cases are | | | | 60 percent of all individuals with cerebral palsy have |
| caused by brain injury during the prenatal period | | | | spasticity that is characterized by tense, contracted |
| (before labor begins). This condition is caused by | | | | muscles. Doctors will often describe which type of |
| damage to brain cells that control the movement of | | | | spastic cerebral palsy a patient has, based on which |
| muscles. A person with cerebral palsy can have mild | | | | limbs are affected.Ataxic cerebral palsy affects the |
| to severe physical disabilities. There are varying | | | | sense of balance and depth perception. Children who |
| degrees of therapies depending on the degree of | | | | suffer from ataxic cerebral palsy can be described as |
| condition. However, just because a person has | | | | being very shaky and unsteady.SymptomsChildren |
| cerebral palsy, it does not mean they will have other | | | | with cerebral palsy may develop eating difficulties, |
| disabilities. | | | | bladder and bowel control problems, breathing |
| Causes and RisksRecent studies suggest that | | | | problems, and learning disabilities. Children with cerebral |
| cerebral palsy is mostly due to factors affecting the | | | | palsy have limited use of their arms due to the |
| brain before birth. In about 70 percent of cases, | | | | dysfunction of their neural motor control and stiffness |
| cerebral palsy results from events occurring before | | | | of their joints. Dysarthria is common in people with |
| birth that can disrupt normal development of the brain. | | | | cerebral palsy, due to problems involving the muscles |
| This condition is caused by an injury to the brain during | | | | that control speech and mastication. Although Cerebral |
| pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth. The | | | | Palsy is a permanent condition, as a person learns and |
| symptoms are usually not noticeable at birth. It was | | | | grows and practices skills, more control over |
| previously assumed that it was caused by fetal | | | | movement may be achieved.TreatmentTreatment of |
| distress, such as a lack of oxygen, during the birth | | | | cerebral palsy requires a team of specialists to help |
| process. However, lack of oxygen at birth has not | | | | maximize and coordinate movement, minimize |
| been shown to be the major cause. The motor deficits | | | | discomfort and pain, and prevent long-term |
| of babies are usually unrecognizable before 4-6 | | | | complications. Because the symptoms of cerebral |
| months of age.A preemie's risk of cerebral palsy is | | | | palsy can cause behavioral and emotional problems, |
| much higher than that of a full-term baby. In addition, | | | | many children benefit from counseling or behavior |
| exposure to herpes group B viruses was associated | | | | therapy. It is also not "curable" in the accepted sense, |
| with a two-fold increase in risk. Reproductive/urinary | | | | although education, therapy, and applied technology |
| tract infections also may increase the risk in a preterm | | | | can help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive |
| delivery. Preemie's are already at risk for cerebral | | | | lives.The goal of drug therapy is to reduce the effects |
| palsy and account for approximately one-third of the | | | | and prevent complications. Physical, speech, and |
| cases. Adequate prenatal care may reduce the risk of | | | | occupational therapy along with counseling today are |
| the unborn baby.Viral infections, lead poisoning, or head | | | | employed to help people lead healthy, productive lives. |
| injuries that occur early in life can result in acquired | | | | Most children with cerebral palsy benefit from early |
| cerebral palsy, a less common condition. Spastic | | | | and regular physical and occupational therapy. In |
| cerebral palsy, the most common type, is a condition in | | | | addition, education, therapy, and applied technology can |
| which there is too much muscle tone. However, | | | | help persons with cerebral palsy lead productive |
| cerebral palsy is NOT a progressive condition, meaning | | | | lives.ConclusionWith early and ongoing treatment, the |
| that it does not worsen over time. Cerebral palsy | | | | disabilities associated with cerebral palsy can be |
| generally is a long-lasting (chronic) condition.There are | | | | reduced. People living with cerebral palsy are usually |
| roughly 8,000 infants born with this condition each year | | | | able to live independently in the community, with or |
| and some 1,200-1,500 preschool age children acquire | | | | without assistance. With support and treatment, though, |
| cerebral palsy annually. Most children are diagnosed by | | | | many people with cerebral palsy can live healthy, |
| age 5. Despite significant improvements in obstetric | | | | happy lives. |
| and neonatal care in recent years, the incidence of | | | | |