cerebral palsey, cerebal palsy
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella-like term used to describe a group of chronic
disorders impairing control of movement that appear in the
first few years of life and generally do not worsen over time. The
disorders are caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas in
the brain that disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and
posture.
Symptoms of cerebral palsy include difficulty with fine motor
tasks (such as writing or using scissors), difficulty maintaining balance
or walking, involuntary movements. The symptoms differ from person to
person and may change over time. Some people with cerebral palsy are also
affected by other medical disorders, including seizures or mental
impairment, but cerebral palsy does not always cause profound handicap.
Early signs of cerebral palsy usually appear before 3 years of age.
Infants with cerebral palsy are frequently slow to reach developmental
milestones such as learning to roll over, sit, crawl, smile, or walk.
Cerebral palsy may be congenital or acquired after birth. Several of the
causes of cerebral palsy that have been identified through research are
preventable or treatable: head injury, jaundice, Rh incompatibility, and
rubella (German measles). Doctors diagnose cerebral palsy by testing motor
skills and reflexes, looking into medical history, and employing a variety
of specialized tests. Although its symptoms may change over time, cerebral
palsy by definition is not progressive, so if a patient shows increased
impairment, the problem may be something other than cerebral palsy.
Is There Any
Treatment Cerebral Palsy?There is no standard therapy that works for all
patients. Drugs can be used to control seizures and muscle spasms, special
braces can compensate for muscle imbalance. Surgery, mechanical aids to
help overcome impairments, counseling for emotional and psychological
needs, and physical, occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy may be
employed.
What is the prognosis?At
this time, cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but due to medical research,
many patients can enjoy near-normal lives if their neurological problems
are properly managed.
What research is being done?Research suggests that cerebral palsy results from incorrect
cell development early in pregnancy. For example, a group of researchers
has recently observed that more than one-third of children with cerebral
palsy also have missing enamel on certain teeth. Scientists are also
examining other events—such as bleeding in the brain, seizures, and
breathing and circulation problems—that threaten the brain of a newborn
baby. Some investigators are conducting studies to learn whether certain
drugs can help prevent neonatal stroke, and other investigators are
examining the causes of low birth-weight. Other scientists are exploring
how brain insults (like brain damage from a shortage of oxygen or blood
flow, bleeding in the brain, and seizures) can cause the abnormal release
of brain chemicals and trigger brain disease.
Keeping on Top of Your Condition
Keeping in tune with your disease or condition not only makes treatment less intimidating but also increases its chance of success, and has been shown to lower a patients risk of complications. As well, as an informed patient, you are better able to discuss your condition and treatment options with your physician.
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Organizations
United Cerebral Palsy Associations
1600 L Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
national@ucp.org
http://www.ucpa.org/
Tel:
202-776-0406 800-USA-5UCP (872-5827)
Fax: 202-776-0414
Epilepsy Foundation
4351 Garden City Drive
Suite 500
Landover, MD 20785-7223
postmaster@efa.org
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
Tel:
301-459-3700 800-EFA-1000 (332-1000)
Fax: 301-577-2684
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck
Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
resourcecenter@modimes.org
http://www.modimes.org/
Tel:
914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637)
Fax: 914-428-8203
Easter Seals
230 West Monroe Street
Suite 1800
Chicago, IL 60606-4802
info@easter-seals.org
http://www.easter-seals.org/
Tel:
312-726-6200 800-221-6827
Fax: 312-726-1494
National Disability Sports Alliance
25 West Independence Way
Kingston, RI 02881
info@ndsaonline.org
http://www.ndsaonline.org/
Tel:
401-792-7130
Fax: 401-792-7132
Children's Neurobiological Solutions (CNS) Foundation
1726
Franceschi Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
fia@cnsfoundation.org
http://www.cnsfoundation.org/
Tel:
866-CNS-5580 (267-5580) 805-965-8838
Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Assocn. (CHASA)
4101 West
Green Oaks Blvd.
PMB #149
Arlington, TX 76016
support@chasa.org##
http://www.hemikids.org/
Tel:
817-492-4325
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