Cerebral Palsy Injury

Cerebral palsy is a chronic condition affecting muscle coordination and body movements caused by an injury or damage to certain areas of the brain during early development of fetus or in early childhood. It can also worsen as the age progresses.

Cerebral palsy injury is a result of injury to areas of the brain resulting in impaired muscles coordination and body movement. It is an after effect of damage to motor areas in the brain controlling movement or posture. This injury can lead to problem in having an erect posture and controlling body movements.

Causes Of Cerebral Palsy Injury

Cerebral palsy injury is caused due to the injury in cerebrum, the largest part of the brain involved in mental function and muscle activities. It is often result of multiple factors with similar problems with control of movement. Most of the time, it is a result of some problem encountered during fetal development and during birth.

Some Of The Causes Of Cerebral Palsy Injury May Be

• blood type incompatibility between mother and infant
• premature birth
• bacterial infection of the mother, fetus or infant affecting the central nervous system
• loss of oxygen to the infant during birth
• physical injuries during or following birth
• lack of growth factors during intra-uterine development

Symptoms Of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms may include

• seizures
• contraction of muscles
• irregular breathing
• difficulty in feeding
• mental retardation
• speech abnormalities
• visual abnormalities

Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis and Test

Delayed motor development is an indication of cerebral palsy injury. Various tests are performed to eliminate other causes and determine the correct diagnosis.

• MRI scan of the head that may show abnormalities
• CT scan of the head
• Hearing screen to determine auditory status
• Visual testing to check the visual status
• EEG
• Blood test to rule out other possibilities

Cerebral Palsy - Treatment

Different ways have been devised to treat cerebral palsy injury, ranging from physical therapy to speech therapy to surgery. The goal of treatment is to maximize independence and reduce the frequency of seizures. In some cases, surgery may also be needed.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is important for muscle development that is slow than bone development. It includes stretches and exercises that would prevent the limbs from weakening.

Speech Therapy

It can help in controlling the facial and throat muscles which cause speech impairment and drooling, it can also assist in communication as well as helps in building a positive relationship with other people.

Medication

It can be taken to help prevent certain effects of cerebral palsy injury in the body such as seizures and movements; it may include Phenobarbital or Phenytoin for seizure prevention, Antispasmodics for reducing muscle spasms and muscle relaxation and Baclofen for controlling muscle contractions and relaxing tight muscles.

Surgery

It can be carried out to cut some of the nerves most affected by spasms and minimize muscle contraction and to tighten joints and muscles.

Cerebral palsy injury is an ailment that can cause serious problems in life, however, with proper medications and therapies, living with it can be made easier.