Mild Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a non-contagious, neurological disorder. This disorder affects body movement and muscle coordination. These signs are fairly stable and do not acutely aggravate in the course of illness. The symptoms of cerebral and mild cerebral palsy are the same. But in mild cerebral palsy, the symptoms are not too severe and are comparatively easy to manage.
In cerebral palsy, cerebral means the cerebrum and palsy is the disorder of movement. The signs and symptoms of mild cerebral palsy are different for different people. This disorder is more common in small children and pregnant women. Intake of alcohol, smoking and consuming other toxic substances during pregnancy increases the risk of mild cerebral palsy in children. Less supply of blood and oxygen to the brain may lead to serious complications. Initially, the symptoms are less clear. So, in many school-going children, mild cerebral palsy is diagnosed late. Many parents ignore the symptoms of this disorder, thinking that the child will be normal once he/she grows up. However, this casual approach can affect the child's future. Proper treatment at the right time increases the chances of getting permanent relief from the disorder. The physician, after studying the case recommends the name of a cerebral palsy specialist for further treatment. However, unlike other disorders like cancer and infectious diseases, mild cerebral palsy does not get worse.
Symptoms of Mild Cerebral Palsy
Children suffering from mild cerebral palsy generally have difficulties while talking. Lack of coordination, very low stamina, clumsiness, pain in legs and arms, difficulty in walking and standing, toe walking, incapability in playing sports and doing activities which need many body movements, habit of keeping hands raised for a long time are some other prominent symptoms of mild cerebral palsy seen in the children.
Treatment for Mild Cerebral Palsy
Regular exercise is the key to cure mild cerebral palsy. Improvement in stamina and movements can be seen after giving occupational therapy and physical therapy. Physical therapy for cerebral palsy helps to strengthen muscles. The physical therapist helps the children to be independent by teaching them how to do their daily activities with ease. Occupational therapy, on the other hand is used to develop motor skills. It focuses more on efficient movements of hands and arms. Hippotherapy involves special training for movement dysfunction from well-trained and highly experienced physical and occupational therapists. Speech and language therapy is used to solve communication related problems in children. Teaching sign language is a part of this therapy. Oral medicines like Valium and Baclofen are used to treat muscle contraction. Use of shoes with high heels is recommended to support the ankle joint of toe walking children. Generally, children learn to walk properly in a few weeks. Injecting botox injections into specific muscles can give relief from muscle contraction. However, this relief will be temporary.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
The types of cerebral palsy are - athetoid cerebral palsy, mild cerebral palsy, mixed cerebral palsy, severe athetoid cerebral palsy, spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, spastic cerebral palsy. Athetoid cerebral palsy is characterized by slow and involuntary movement of muscles. It is caused by the damage to basal ganglia in the mid-brain. Athetoid cerebral palsy is 25% of the total cases of cerebral palsy. Hands, arms and legs are affected by athetoid cerebral palsy. A person suffering from athetoid cerebral palsy is very restless and does not have stability or peace of mind. Muscles of the tongue and face may get affected because of this disorder. This disorder causes many difficulties for children while walking and balancing their bodies. Athetoid cerebral palsy can lead to dysarthria which is characterized by problems while talking. People with this disorder have a poor grip. They may face problems even while breathing and eating. In severe athetoid cerebral palsy, the symptoms are difficult to control than athetoid cerebral palsy. Mixed cerebral palsy, spastic cerebral palsy and spastic diplegic cerebral palsy can be cured if diagnosed at the right time. Consult your physician immediately if you discover symptoms of these disorders.
People with mild cerebral palsy have to face a lot of challenges to survive and succeed in their chosen profession. It is the duty of the society to grant special concessions, financial help and medical treatment to these people. They should be given proper guidance and motivation.
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