Cerebral Palsy

Herbal Treatment Of Cerebral Palsy

About Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy IS a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. The word “cerebral” means disorder is related to the brain. The word “palsy” means weakness or problems with body movement. CP can happen when the part of immature brain damaged before birth or very early in life. Because of damage to certain parts of the brain, voluntary or involuntary movements or both can be affected.

CP is the most common cause of motor disabilities in childhood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, it affects at least 1.5 to 4 out of every 1,000 children worldwide.

Types of Cerebral Palsy:

There are four types of cerebral palsy

1. Spastic cerebral palsy: More than 70 Percent of patients are affected by Spastic cerebral palsy. It is the most common type of cerebral palsy.
   Spastic Cerebral Palsy has been divided into three categories:
2. Spastic Hemiplegia- A child with spastic hemiplegia affects the leg, arm, and hand on one side of the body.
3. Spastic Diplegia- Involves muscle rigidity, primarily in the legs. The arms however, may be impacted to a lesser extent.
4. Spastic Quadriplegia- Most severe type of cerebral palsy. The legs, arms, and body are affected by Spastic Quadriplegia.
5. Athetoid Cerebral Palsy: Athetoid cerebral palsy is the second most common type of Cerebral Palsy. Generally 10-20 Percent of patients are affected by this. Weak or tight muscle tone causes random and uncontrolled body movements.
6. Ataxic cerebral palsy: Upto 10 Percent of children affected by this type of cerebral palsy. Balance and coordination are most affected by this cp.
7. Hypotonic cerebral palsy: Cerebellum injury is the only reason for this type of cerebral palsy.

Causes Of Cerebral Palsy

• Asphyxia Neonatorum, or a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery
• Gene mutations that lead to abnormal development
• Severe jaundice in the infant
• Maternal infections that affect the developing fetus
• Fetal stroke, a disruption of blood supply to the developing brain
• Bleeding into the brain in the womb or as a newborn
• Head injuries as a result of a car accident, a fall, or child abuse

Symptoms Of Cerebral Palsy

An infant with cerebral palsy may have movement and coordination problems, including poor muscle tone. Some Signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy:

• Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity)
• Delays in reaching motor skill milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up alone, or crawling
• Lack of balance and muscle coordination (ataxia)
• Delays in speech development and difficulty speaking
• Tremors or involuntary movements
• Slow, writhing movements
• Learning difficulties
• Difficulty walking
• Neurological problems, such as seizures, intellectual disabilities, and blindness
  Seizures
• Difficulty with sucking or eating
• Variations in muscle tone, such as being either too stiff or too floppy

Complications Of Cerebral Palsy

Muscle weakness, muscle spasticity and coordination problems can contribute to a number of complications either during childhood or in adulthood, including:

1. Malnutrition: Swallowing or feeding problems can make it difficult for someone who has cerebral palsy, particularly an infant, to get enough nutrition. This can impair growth and weaken bones. Some children need a feeding tube to get enough nutrition.
2. Contracture: Contracture is muscle tissue shortening due to severe muscle tightening (spasticity). Contracture can inhibit bone growth, cause bones to bend, and result in joint deformities, dislocation or partial dislocation.
3. Premature aging: Some type of premature aging will affect most people with cerebral palsy in their 40s because of the strain the condition puts on their bodies.
4. Mental health conditions: People with cerebral palsy might have mental health conditions, such as depression. Social isolation and the challenges of coping with disabilities can contribute to depression.
5. Heart and lung disease: People with cerebral palsy may develop heart disease and lung disease and breathing disorders.
6. Osteoarthritis: Pressure on joints or abnormal alignment of joints from muscle spasticity may lead to the early onset of this painful degenerative bone disease.