A Cerebral Palsy Patient- Most Common Form of This Disorder

The term cerebral palsy refers to the damage caused to the motor areas of the brain affecting the body movement and muscle co-ordination. It occurs to a child during infancy or after a short period of birth. It was first identified by an English surgeon William Little in the year 1860. The disorder is caused due to the lack of supply of oxygen or an accident causing an injury to the brain. Also known as CP, it is the most common childhood physical disability. The incidence in the developed countries is approximately 2- 2.5 cases every thousand births. It is a non-communicable and a non-productive disorder.

The Cerebral Palsy Patients

Studies suggest that no two people with the disorder are alike even if they have the same diagnosis. There are three different cases in which different body parts are affected. This classification is based on the severity of the disorder and its effects no the body. Hemiplegia in which one side of the body is more affected as compared to the other. Diplegia in which lower body is more affected than the upper body and Quadriplegia in which all the four limbs of the body are affected. The causes though are not certain. But infections to the brain and a lack of supply to it, premature delivery, rigorous shaking of the child to make him sleep, accident during the fetal development, severe brain infections, jaundice and other such causes are considered to be likely for affecting the brain causing cerebral palsy.

Effects of Cerebral Palsy

There are many side effects that are observed due to cerebral palsy. These are characterized by abnormal muscle tone and posture of the body, weakening of muscles and limbs and reflexes. Along with this the mental development of the patient is hampered. He may take time in acquiring the learning skills. The behavior of that person becomes abnormal. Also affected are the speech, vision and hearing abilities of the person. Due to this the person is not able to communicate with other people properly. The balance of the patient may also be affected due to the damage to the motor areas and the basal ganglia of the brain. Due to these effects the person becomes a social misfit.

Medication and Cure

There is no permanent treatment for Cerebral Palsy, but various forms of therapy can help the patient with CP more effectively. The posture of his body, the speech areas and the mental abilities like learning and social behavior should be given more concentration by the experts. There should also be a proper help to develop the motor skills of the patient as much as possible or to compensate for the lack of them. Drugs sometimes are recommended to ease the spasticity or the abnormal movement of the patient. These measures could surely help the person to development and progress of his life.

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