The Biology of Cerebral Palsy |
It may not be easy for everyone to understand the
biology of cerebral palsy. One need not really get into complex details though.
It is quite enough that some basic concept be revealed and understood. This is a
crucial step for parents of children with cerebral palsy. Only when there is
concrete basic understanding of the disorder can it be properly addressed and
treated.
For many lay persons, cerebral palsy is most
distinguished for its symptoms. The symptoms may be very mild or quite severe.
Those who are seriously affected by the disease may show such symptoms as muscle
stiffening, uncoordinated movements and unbalanced gait. The facial muscles may
also be affected causing drooling and speech difficulties. These symptoms may
lead some people to believe that cerebral palsy may be a disorder of the
muscles. This is not an accurate concept.
The biology of cerebral palsy begins in the brain. It is
actually a condition that results from damage to certain parts of the brain that
manage motor movement. In other words there is no appropriate signal from the
brain sent to the muscles to make them move properly.
The parts that are damaged determine the type of
cerebral palsy that an individual will develop. The spastic type is the most
common type of cerebral palsy. It is the result of damage to the motor cortex or
the corticospinal tract. This results in rigid muscles that tend to spasm. The
ataxic type is caused by damage to the cerebellum. Those who have this have
difficulties with fine motor tasks and maintaining their balance. The athetoid
type results from damage to the basal ganglia. A person who has this may show
slow and wriggling movements.
In some cases, individuals may show mixed symptoms from
the different types. The symptoms however, once they appear do not get worse.
Not every parent may find it easy to detect the symptoms. Studies on the biology
of cerebral palsy are not always clear on the causes and exact timing of
symptoms. It has been generally known though that cerebral palsy itself can
occur at any time during brain development. This means that the stage from fetal
development to the toddler stage could make a child susceptible to the disorder.
Symptoms can therefore appear at any time from birth to 3 years old.
The biology of cerebral palsy may truly be complex. This
may be why the exact major causes have not been determined. It has simply been
theorized that certain factors may contribute to cerebral palsy. These factors
can be anything from prenatal condition or health of the mother to after birth
handling of children. A mother who has an infection or who has difficulty giving
birth may put the unborn child in danger of developing cerebral palsy. A child
who suffers from head trauma or gets a viral or bacterial infection after birth
is also in danger of having cerebral palsy.
It may take some time to fully understand the biology of
cerebral palsy. There is no doubt however that scientists and researchers are
slowly beginning to grasp the undiscovered facts about cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Therapy Tip #1
Get Help – Taking care of someone with cerebral palsy is a lot of hard work. Occasionally you have to take a break and spend some time alone. Ask family and friends for help and teach them how to do what you do so you can get away for a while. |
Cerebral Palsy Therapy Tip #2
Stay Positive - Cerebral palsy is not a disease and will not get progressively worse. Accepting the condition for what it is and keeping a positive outlook will make life easier for you and the person you are caring for. |
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