Celebral Palsy Essay

Cerebral palsy is the term given to a general group of nonspecific neuromuscular disorders that cause behavioral abnormalities. The condition was originally thought to be caused by asphyxia and trauma during pregnancy; however, through extensive research many divisions of cerebral palsy emerged. Such categories include spastic, athetoid, and ataxic cerebral palsy. Today over half a percent of the worlds population is subject to this condition of the brain. Two to four out of a thousand are affected in the industrialized United States; however, with the introduction of new preventive measures the numbers of cerebral palsy victims born each year are expected to decline. (Anee Stanford, General Information about Cerebral Palsy, page 1&2)

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of chronic disorders that involve degrees of brain damage that affect body control and movement. The term cerebral refers to the brain, while palsy describes a disorder that impairs the control of body movement. These disorders are not the result of muscles or nerves problems. Instead, they are due to impaired motor areas in the brain that disrupt its ability to control movement and posture. The condition typically appears within the first few years of life and it is not marked by regression. (Mecham, 1986)

Cerebral palsy people usually very stiff and unusual relaxed and ‘’floppy ‘’ limbs which may also held in an unusual or awkward position

Cerebral Palsy can be described as a condition where life long problems affect movements and postural development due to lesions in an immature brain. These lesions are non-progressive, meaning that they will not get any worse. 3(p1-2) Physical and Neurological exams are required in order to diagnose this condition. A doctor will use a CT scan, MRI, or an ultrasound machine to verify brain damage. Many children diagnosed can also have sensory disabilities, cognitive disorders, convulsions, and communication and behavioral disorders. Spastic Diplegia gets its name because the children diagnosed have increased muscle tone that leads to spasticity. Spasticity can be defined as stiff or tight muscles and amplified reflexes. The exact cause of Spastic Diplegia still remains unknown. Besides damage to the part of the brain that controls movement, there are other possible reasons for a child to develop Spastic Diplegia. These reasons can vary from genetic abnormalities, congenital brain deformities, or if the mother has an infection or high fever while pregnant.

Cerebral palsy (CP) has been described as a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing foetal or infant brain (Rosenbaum et al. 2007). Since I did not know that much about CP, I went

The word “cerebral” means the brain and the word “palsy” means muscle weakness and poor control. Children or adults can be born with Cerebral Palsy or might be diagnosed later in life. The disorder may occur during the woman’s pregnancy, child’s birth, or after the child

Cerebral Palsy is a term that is used to broadly describe a group of chronic palsies, which are disorders that impair movement control due to past damage of the developing brain. Cerebral Palsy usually develops at a young age, 2 or 3, and is a non progressive brain disorder. Non progressive means that the brain itself is not damaged anymore over time, however the symptoms from the damage already there could change drastically over time either for better or for worse.

Cerebral Palsy is a non-progressive disorder of movement and posture. It is estimated that for every 1000 live births in the United States, 2-3 babies are born with this condition. Research shows that babies who are born preterm are at a heightened risk of having Cerebral Palsy.

Contrary to common belief, CP does not derive in the nervous or muscular system though it does cause issues within muscle movement, the problem derives from Irregular parts of the brain that are in charge of muscle operation are actually what cause the defect. Often times even though most people are born with Cerebral Palsy, it is not detected until a later and more noticeable period in a child’s development. (Young children with cerebral palsy: Families self-reported equipment needs and out-of-pocket expenditure, 2013) If a child is not born with CP, it can be developed shortly

People with Cerebral Palsy often have trouble with posture, balance, ability to move, communication, eating, and sleeping. These people have uncontrolled or unpredictable movements like tremors or muscles can be stiff, weak, or tight. Many people with Cerebral Palsy have difficulty breathing, swallowing, head control, neck control, eating, and have dental and digestive problems. Three in four people experience pain which is caused by abnormal postures, skin breakdown, and etc.

SCIANNI et al. (2009) explained that the weakness in children with CP can be due to both the disturbed neural mechanisms and the muscle tissue changes. Most investigators believe that the low power production is related to the inadequate co-activation of antagonist muscles, decreased or inadequate motor unit discharge, secondary myopathy and disturbed muscle physiology. This abnormal kyphotic posture that caused by muscles weakness can lead to shifting of COG to posteriorly which result frequent of arching of the trunk and sliding in seated position. Thus, she also having difficulty in long sitting position as this position cannot be held for a longer period as the pelvis is already posteriorly tilted with flexed knees due to spasticity of both hamstrings. The torque of lower limbs becomes shorter so the fulcrum is closer to the upper body which will easily cause Stephanie to lose her balance in long sitting

It is caused by an abnormality during development of the brain and injury to the brain during birth or up to 28 days after birth if acquired. One of my co-workers has Cerebral Palsy and is the department head for our SPD (Seniors & people with Disabilities) department. I have learned from working with him that early intervention is key to the treatment of this disease. Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapies are very helpful. Muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and antispastics are some common medical treatments. The only ways to help prevent Cerebral Palsy is to keep yourself healthy during pregnancy and try to avoid any injury or infection. Before getting pregnant be sure to get vaccinated for all preventable diseases and be sure to get your baby vaccinated for things like meningitis after

Pelvic floor exercises also known as Kegel exercises. These exercises help a lot in dealing with the pelvic floor dysfunction. These can be done both by women and men.

The exact cause of PSP is unknown, although several hypotheses have been formulated. In some cases, the disease appears to be inherited (transmitted within the family), which suggests the

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is brain damage. It cannot be cured, it is not contagious, it is not a disease, and it does not get worse. According to Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, "Cerebral Palsy is a broad term for various nonprogressive disorders of motor function in people, resulting from brain damage around the time of birth. Damage to the brain could occur before, during, or shortly after birth"(“Cerebral”). Since the damage is done during the brain’s formation, and occurs in the part of the brain that controls motor and muscle functions, people with CP might have problems with motor skills, muscle tone, muscle weakness, reflexes, balance, excessive drooling, difficulties swallowing or speaking, shaking, tremors, and