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Characteristics Of Cerebral Palsy-What You Need to Know.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a common childhood ailment that affects the normal working of the brain. It occurs due to damage to the brain. It is a non-progressive disorder that leads to motor dysfunction and learning disabilities. It causes weakness and paralysis. Cerebral palsy is actually a group of disorders affecting normal development, movement and muscle tone. Brain damage is the most important cause of cerebral palsy. This disease can affect an infant in the mother's womb, during or
after birth. Conditions such as hypoxia, asphyxia and infections namely meningitis are major causative factors of cerebral palsy. Other potential risk factors include premature births, chromosome irregularities, infections in the mother during birth and effects of certain drugs.

Types of cerebral palsy

There are chiefly three kinds of cerebral palsy commonly known. Spastic cerebral palsy is the common type afflicting children. In this type, the muscles become stiff and movements are rigid. Its is caused due to damage to the cerebral cortex. Ataxic cerebral palsy is characterized by a disturbed sense of balance and depth perception. It is a very rare form of cerebral palsy. Athetoid cerebral palsy leads to involuntary and purposeless actions. Mixed cerebral palsy combines the rigidity of the spastic type and the jerkiness of the athetoid type.

A Child With Cerebral Palsy

Children affected with cerebral palsy often have restricted motor skills, difficulty in gripping and holding things. Loss of balance, involuntary movements, muscle rigidity, speech and learning defects are common symptoms. Children with cerebral palsy take more time to do simple tasks and show delayed development. Hearing disorders and paralysis is also seen in some cases.

Living With Cerebral Palsy

Advances in medical research has led to better methods of understanding, diagnosing and treating cerebral palsy. It is most important to develop a child's self-esteem. Therapies such as physical therapy, speech and learning therapy enable the patient to develop better muscle control and coordination. Exercises help improve strength and movement. There are drugs available to prevent seizures.

Cerebral palsy can be effectively tackled with the correct line of treatment. As it requires a lot of time commitment, it is advisable that parents and caretakers take active part in it. It is important to know that cerebral palsy is not contagious, hereditary or life threatening.

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