Cerebral Palsy
Megan Brueggen
Causes
Physical Characteristics
Cerebral Palsy can affect many different parts of a person's body. People with Cerebral Palsy have a weakness in motor skills, which often affects their ability to walk, speak, and swallow(Sheen 6). Since some people are unable to walk they are wheel chair bound. Some people can still walk without a wheel chair, but may need a friends help. The Mayo Clinic staff states that "Osteoarthritis pressure on joints or abnormal alignment of joints from muscle spasticity may result in early development of a degenerative bone disease"(6).
Symptoms
Barbra Sheen author of Cerebral Palsy, states "Spastic Cerebral Palsy can affect all four limbs as well as muscles in the head, neck, trunk, tongue, and mouth"(21). Being able to sit up by yourself is a milestone to reach before your a year old, but may not happen because of "variations in muscle tone" (Mayo Clinic 1). Which would outcome as to floppy or to stiff(1). This shows how this affects babies and how they can't push up with their arms, crawl or rock. Another unfortunate symptom of this would include not being able to swallow or suck. This could mean malnutrition as a baby if the parents do not know that the baby can't suck and swallow.
Treatments
Cerebral Palsy can be treated by many different therapies. Physical therapy will improve walking strength, and stretch the muscles that are tight(Mayo Clinic 2). Since the individuals language can also be affected there is speech and language pathologists that can diagnose that and get help that the patient needs. Mainly since the motor skills are affected there is occupational therapy. Occupational therapy will "work to promote your child's independent participation in daily activities and routines in the home, the school, and the community"(Mayo Clinic Staff 3). Mayo Clinic states that "surgery may be needed to lessen muscle tightness or correct bone abnormalities, caused by spasticity"(6).
Therapies
When there is a problem this big, there needs to be something to help. Therapy may not cure but will definitely be a help. According to Barbara Sheen physical therapy is the most recommended(26). "Physical therapy focuses on improving gross motor skills"(Sheen 30). Which better improves the muscle use of a person's legs, arms, back, and abdomen. Through physical therapy muscle strength is built which helps improve balance, posture, flexibility, stamina and most important mobility(Sheen 30). At a Physical Therapy Center there is a lot of the same equipment, but yet are far different. They include a staff that are trained Medical Professionals to work with disabled patients.
Cerebral Palsy is often located in the cerebellum.
Citations
Boy with Dog - N. A. "Google." Google. The Blade, 24 Nov. 2011. Web. 03 Nov. 2013.
Brain- "Cerebral Palsy." ISISA Charities - Cerebral Palsy, Children Who Need Help. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013.
Therapy- "LifeNews.com." LifeNews.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013.
Child-Cerebral Palsy Help Program." Cerebral Palsy Help Program. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013.
Website- Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Definition." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 03 Nov. 2013.
Book-Sheen, Barbara. Cerebral Palsy. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2003. Print.