Cerebral palsy, often referred to as CP, is not just a single disorder but an umbrella term for a group of disorders that affect both body movement and posture. Cerebral palsy is generally caused by damage in one or more parts of the brain that control movement and muscle tone. CP can also be caused by abnormal development in these regions of the brain.
Since cerebral palsy is an umbrella term, many people are unaware that there are many different types of CP which include spastic, dyskinetic, athetoid, ataxic, and mixed. Spastic cerebral palsy is, in fact, the most commonly occurring type and is primarily identified by increased muscle tone. The muscles of a person suffering from spastic CP are stiff (spastic) and exhibit jerky or awkward movements. The symptoms can be found in both legs, a single side of the body, or the entire body.
People with cerebral palsy all have difficulty coordinating muscles and controlling movement. Other symptoms of CP include poor muscle tone, uncontrolled movements, problems with balance, posture, coordination, walking, swallowing, and speech, muscle stiffness, and breathing problems. There is also the possibility of mental retardation, learning disabilities, seizures, bladder and bowel control problems, dental problems, and hearing and vision problems.
The severity or presence of the symptoms may vary from person to person and may even wax or wane over time. However, it is important to note that cerebral palsy will not get worse over time; CP is not a degenerative disease and does not cause death. Despite the varying levels of severity, there is a variety of cerebral palsy treatments available to patients today though there is no cure.
Treatment for CP helps reduce the disabilities often associated with the disorder. A specified therapy regime will be determined by the patient and medical professionals but will often include some form of physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, therapeutic braces, drugs, or even surgeries. Many patients experience the use of cerebral-palsy braces at some point.
The use of braces in treating the symptoms of cerebral palsy is effective in reducing spasticity and improving the range of motion for the affected areas. The most common type of brace is an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) which actually minimizes gait irregularities in patients. These devices can also help reduce energy expenditure, improves ambulation, and increases speed. Braces coupled with physical therapy are usually quite effective.
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