Cerebral Palsy Essay

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)

The human body is made up of many organ systems that consist of organs and tissues of different anatomies and diverse nomenclature. These organs systems, organs and tissues are prone to thousands of diseases, and one of these diseases is cerebral palsy, which is a disease of the nervous system in simple terms. Research relating to cerebral palsy is carried out, whereby the disorder is described, along with its history, and how it affects the nervous system and the brain. The anatomy of the body systems involves with regard to this disorder, the effects of the disorder on these body systems and other body systems are also researched and discussed. Furthermore, the research focuses on the causes of cerebral palsy, its complications, signs, and symptoms, and the diagnosis of the disorder, along with its treatment and side effects of the treatment. A recap of the research focusing on prevention strategies, the anatomy and physiology of cerebral palsy and the nervous system is presented.

The word “cerebral” refers to the brain, while “palsy” refers to its effect on the muscles. The various presentations of the disability appears to reflect the parts of the brain that are not fully functioning. There are three different types of cerebral palsy including spastic cerebral palsy, athetoid cerebral palsy, and ataxic cerebral palsy. As previously mentioned, spastic and athetoid cerebral palsy includes restricted movements and involuntary movements. Ataxic cerebral palsy refers to how balance and depth perception are affected. Correlations between cerebral palsy and other disabilities have been observed, including bladder incontinence,

Cerebral palsy is the medical term used to describe a cluster of neurological disorders. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition affects movement, posture

“The term cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement, muscle coordination, and balance”(Cerebral Palsy Information). “Cerebral Palsy affects the part of the brain that controls muscle movements”(Cerebral Palsy Information). It is common to be found within months of an infant being born to years in childhood. The condition is not genetically transferred it mostly depends of the baby in the womb. “Some of the possible causes include a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery, severe jaundice in the infant, maternal infections such German measles and herpes simplex, brain infections such as encephalitis and meningitis, bleeding into the brain ,head injuries as a result of a car accident, a fall, or child abuse” (Cerebral Palsy: Causes). In some cases the cause of Cerebral Palsy is not known.

Cerebral Palsy is an umbrella term for a group of disabilities associated with movement and posture (Victoria Government, 2014; What is Cerebral Palsy? 2014). Every patient of this disability will look different and move differently due to the affected location within the brain (What is Cerebral Palsy? 2014). Cerebral Palsy will appear as a muscle disability, however, it is caused by the cerebrum being damaged. The cerebrum is responsible for memory, learning ability, muscle control, and communication skills; this is why some people with cerebral palsy struggle with communication and learning (Nordqvist, C, 2015).

Cerebral Palsy is a range of neuromuscular disorders caused by injury to an infant's brain sustained during late pregnancy, birth, or any time during the first two years of life. People with cerebral palsy have a wide range of difficulties, from a clumsy walk to an inability to speak or swallow, caused by faulty messages sent from the brain to the muscles. In the mid-1800s, William Little, an English physician, first described cerebral palsy in connection with birth injuries.

Cerebral Palsy is a congenital disorder of the movement, muscle tone, and posture of your body. This disease is common among Americans. Over 200,000 cases have been diagnosed in the United States each year. CP requires a medical diagnosis, some symptoms to look for are exaggerated reflexes, floppy or rigid limbs, and involuntary motions. These symptoms may most likely appear in the early years of a child.

In today`s modern world there is more that we understand about disease than we did in the last 5, 10, and 15 years. In a world where disease is so common, we are able to understand and develop ways for those with diseases, to live a more functional life. This helps those who feel abnormal because of their disease, feel like they too, can be normal. One of those many diseases that are so common is Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy is a blanket term also commonly known as “CP” and defined by the impairment or loss of motor function. It is a condition which results from damage of brain. Damage of brain is a result of injury of brain or the abnormal brain development which takes place when the brain of a child is developing – prior to its birth, during its birth

Cerebral palsy is an abnormal brain development, which alters a person’s ability to move. Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways and such as, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. Although cerebral palsy is a permanent life-long condition, some of these signs of cerebral palsy can improve or worsen over time.Most premature babies will grow up without any major difficulties but some are at an increased risk for motor difficulties, including cerebral palsy.The chance of premature babies developing cerebral palsy is closely related to the degree of prematurity.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are numerous neurological disorders, which are generally referred to as cerebral palsy. This condition affects muscle coordination, movement, posture and muscle tone. Cerebral palsy typically manifests during infancy or in early childhood.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) occurs when there is damage to the brain during the developmental process. Cerebral Palsy is very popular in children today occurring in 2-3 children per every 1000 live births. Cerebral Palsy is a developmental delay and movement disorder. The damaged part of the brain in Cerebral Palsy controls movement, balance, and posture. (Thapa, R. (2016)). Cerebral Palsy can occur before during or after birth while the brain is still developing. They classify cerebral palsy in many groups; however, two main groups are spastic and non-spastic depending on what part of the brain is affected and the area of the brain injury. Along with Cerebral Palsy come many other complications throughout the child’s life. Many people

There are four types of Cerebral Palsy: Spastic, Dyskinesia, Ataxic, and Mixed. Spastic is the most common form (NINDS.gov, 2017). Spastic is classified as stiffness in the muscles and awkward movements. Spastic cerebral palsy is further classified by the main affected body areas. Spastic Hemiplegia/Hemiparesis affects the arms, hands, and sometimes the legs of one side of the body. This can lead to the affected side being shorter and thinner. Persons afflicted tend to walk with a gait if they walk at all and develop scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine. Spastic Diplegia/Diparesis affects the legs and is less severe in the arms and face. Those with this form of CP have tightness in their leg muscles and require walkers and leg braces.

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