Educational Support for Children with Cerebral Palsy
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that vary in severity and affect normal movement in the body. Cerebral palsy can create many issues with posture, walking style, muscle tone, and movement coordination. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect muscle movement and coordination. Most cerebral palsy affects vision, hearing, and sensation. The word “cerebral” means having to do with the brain. The term “palsy” means weakness or problems with body movement. CP is the most common cause of motor disabilities in childhood.
What are the symptoms of cerebral palsy?
The symptoms of CP may vary and range from mild to severe. Some people with CP may have difficulty walking, sitting, and grasping objects. The symptoms can become more severe or less severe. They also vary depending on the brain that was affected. The symptoms can become more severe or less severe. They also vary depending on the affected area of the brain.
Some of the more common signs include:
- Delays in achieving motor skill stages covering infants rolling over, sitting up by themselves, or crawling
- Muscle tone changes, such as being overly floppy or too rigid
- Speech development delays and speech difficulties
- Spasticity, often known as stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes, is a condition in which the muscles are tight and the reflexes are exaggerated.
- ataxia, sometimes known as loss of muscle coordination
- Tremors, sometimes known as involuntary movements, are a type of tremor.
- Excessive saliva and swallowing difficulties
- Difficulty walking
- preferring one side of the body, as in extending with one hand
- Seizures, intellectual difficulties, and blindness are examples of neurological issues.
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| Cerebral Palsy Symptoms |
What causes cerebral palsy?
Abnormal brain development or harm to the developing brain can cause cerebral palsy. The injury affects the area of the brain that regulates movement, coordination, and posture. Brain injury is most common before birth, although it can also occur during birth-time or the first year of life. Most of the time, the actual cause of cerebral palsy is unknown. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage. The damage might happen before, during, or soon after birth. The term "cerebral palsy" refers to trouble regulating movement. Cerebral palsy, diplegic cerebral palsy, does not progress or become contagious. Although it is not curable, medical and therapeutic interventions can be beneficial.
Among the causes are:
- Asphyxia neonatorum is a condition that occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen during the birth process. It can be fatal.
- Alterations in genes that cause aberrant brain development
- Severe jaundice in the infant
- Infections transmitted by the mother, such as German measles and herpes simplex
- Infections of the brain, such as encephalitis and meningitis, can cause intracranial haemorrhage bleeding into the brain.
- Damage to the head because of a car accident, fall, or child abuse
Who is at risk for cerebral palsy?
Certain factors put babies at an increased risk for CP.
These include:
- Premature birth
- low birth weight
- being a twin or triplet
- A low Apgar score, a test to measure your newly born baby's physical condition at a birth
- breech birth, in which your baby's buttocks or feet emerge first
- Rh incompatibility occurs when a mother’s blood Rh type is incompatible with the blood Rh newborn
- Unnecessary exposure to compounds such as methylmercury is too harmful to the mother during pregnancy.
How is cerebral palsy treated?
Treatment aims to improve restrictions and prevent complications. Treatment may include assistive aids, medications, and surgery.
Assistive aids include
- Eyeglasses
- Hearing Aids
- Walking aids
- body braces
- Wheelchairs
Surgery
Orthopaedic resection may relieve pain and improve flexibility. They may also need it to release tight muscles or to correct bone abnormalities caused by spasticity. A frequent treatment for chronic pain is selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR). It involves cutting nerves near the base of the spinal column.
Other treatments
Some other types of treatments for CP include
- Speech Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Counselling for psychotherapy
- Social services consultations
Many doctors may use stem cell therapy as a potential treatment for CP where research requires it.
How do doctors prevent cerebral palsy?
Most problems are tough to prevent. However, if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, you can take specific preventive measures to minimise complications. You may need vaccinations against diseases that can cause foetal brain damage, such as rubella. It’s also crucial to receive adequate prenatal care.
You need to attend regular appointments with your doctor during pregnancy can help prevent premature birth, low birth weight, and infections.
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| Cerebral Palsy Nursing Care |
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder, showing that as children get older, their CP will not worsen. Astute impairments and motor impairments have the most profound effects on adults with CP. Patients with cerebral palsy use up to five times the amount of energy when ambulating.
What is the long-term perspective for people with cerebral palsy?
There is no cure for CP, but doctors treat it effectively. The specific type of treatment varies from person to person. Some people with CP may not need much help, and others might need extensive, long-term care for their symptoms.
Regardless of the severity of the condition, treatment can improve the lives of those with CP. The following can help many people enhance their motor skills and ability to communicate:
- assistive aids
- medications
- therapy
- surgery
What are the recent developments in the treatment of Cerebral Palsy?
- Early Intervention: Early identification and intervention programs have shown promise in improving outcomes for children with cerebral palsy. Interventions may include physical, occupational, speech therapy, and other interventions tailored to the needs.
- Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR): SDR is a surgical procedure that involves cutting specific nerve roots in the spinal cord to reduce spasticity in individuals with CP. This procedure aims to improve muscle control and mobility.
- Botulinum Toxin Injections: Doctors can use Botulinum toxin injections, such as Botox temporarily reduce muscle spasticity and improve functional abilities in individuals with cerebral palsy. These injections work on specific muscles to help reduce muscle stiffness.
- Robotic-Assisted Therapy: Robotic devices are increasingly used in therapy sessions to assist with movement and provide repetitive, task-specific training for individuals with cerebral palsy. These devices can help improve motor skills and promote independence.
- Stem Cell Therapy: Research into the potential use of stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy is ongoing. While still in the experimental stages, some studies have shown promising results in improved motor function and reduced spasticity.
- Assistive Technologies: Advancements in assistive technologies, such as mobility devices, communication aids, and computer interfaces, works as new opportunities for individuals with cerebral palsy to enhance their independence and participation in daily activities.
It is vital to note that treatment approaches for cerebral palsy can vary depending on needs and the severity of the condition. New developments and research continue to emerge, so it is always recommended to consult with healthcare professionals or stay informed through reputable sources to obtain the most up-to-date information on treatments for cerebral palsy.
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