In general, cerebral palsy causes impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes, floppiness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk, abnormal posture, involuntary movements, and unsteady walking. The impact of cerebral palsy on function varies greatly; some people with the disorder can walk, while others require assistance.
SYMPTOMS OF CEREBRAL PALSY
There are many different signs and symptoms for cerebral palsy, which can cause movement and coordination issues like:
- Various muscle tonus variations, such as being either too stiff or too floppy
- Spasticity is the combination of tense muscles and strong reflexes.
- muscles that are rigid but have normal reflexes
- Ataxia is the absence of balance and coordinated movement.
- Tremors or involuntary movements
- Slow, writhing movements
- delayed achievement of motor skill milestones like pushing up with arms, sitting up, or crawling
- Using one hand or one leg more than the other when crawling, or favoring one side of the body
- Walking difficulties, such as a wide gait or an asymmetrical gait, walking on your toes, crouching, or using a scissors-like motion with your knees crossed
- difficulty swallowing or excessive drooling
- eating or sucking challenges
- difficulties speaking or delays in speech development
- Learning difficulties
- inability to perform fine motor tasks like picking up objects or buttoning clothing
- Seizures
The brain disorder that causes cerebral palsy does not alter with time, so the symptoms typically do not get worse with age. Cerebral palsy can affect the entire body or it may be primarily limited to one limb or one side of the body.
Additionally, cerebral palsy-related brain abnormalities could be a factor in the development of additional neurological conditions, such as:
- Difficulty seeing and hearing
- Intellectual disabilities
- Seizures
- abnormal feelings of pain or touch
- Oral diseases
- Mental health conditions
- Urinary incontinence
CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY
Most often before a child is born, abnormalities or disruptions in brain development are what lead to cerebral palsy; however, the cause of the disorder is frequently unknown.
- Gene mutationsthat result in unusual development
- Maternal infectionsthat have an impact on an unborn child
- Fetal stroke,a reduction in blood flow to the growing brain
- Bleeding into the brainnewborn or while still in the womb
- Infant infectionswhich result in brain inflammation in the brain or nearby
- Traumatic head injuryto a child as a result of a fall or a car accident
- Lack of oxygenDespite the fact that birth-related asphyxia is much less frequently the cause than previously believed, difficult labor or delivery can cause damage to the brain.
RISK FACTORS OF CEREBRAL PALSY
Cerebral palsy risk is influenced by a number of variables.
1. Maternal health
The risk of the baby developing cerebral palsy can be significantly increased during pregnancy by specific infections or toxic exposures.
- Cytomegalovirus-If a mother contracts this common virus for the first time while pregnant, it can cause birth defects. Symptoms are similar to the flu.
- German measles (rubella)-A vaccine is available to protect against this viral infection.
- Herpes-Inflammation brought on by infection can harm the developing nervous system of the unborn child and is a condition that can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, affecting the womb and placenta.
- Syphilis-This bacterial infection is spread through sexual contact.
- Toxoplasmosis-A parasite that can be found in tainted food, contaminated soil, and cat feces is what causes this infection.
- Infants with cerebral palsy may have mothers who have the Zika virus, which results in microcephaly, a condition where the baby’s head is smaller than average.
- Aside from thyroid issues, intellectual disabilities or seizures, and exposure to toxins like methyl mercury, other conditions that can raise the risk of cerebral palsy include thyroid issues.
Infant illness
Conditions such as:
- Bacterial meningitis-The brain and spinal cord’s protective membranes become inflamed as a result of this bacterial infection.
- Viral encephalitis-The membranes encircling the brain and spinal cord also become inflamed as a result of this viral infection.
- Severe or untreated jaundice-Jaundice, which manifests as a yellowing of the skin, develops when some “used” blood cell byproducts aren’t removed from the bloodstream.
- A baby having a stroke while still in the womb is frequently the cause of bleeding into the brain.
Other factors of pregnancy and birth
Additional pregnancies or births that are linked to an increased risk of cerebral palsy include the following, though their potential contributions are limited:
- Babies with cerebral palsy are more likely to present themselves as breech babies than headfirst ones at the start of labor (also known as a breech presentation).
- Low birth weight: As birth weight falls, the risk of cerebral palsy increases in babies weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms).
- Having more than one baby increases the risk of cerebral palsy, and if one or more of the babies pass away, the risk for the survivors is increased.
- The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk of cerebral palsy. **Premature birth** Babies born within 28 weeks of pregnancy or less are at higher risk of the condition.
COMPLICATIONS OF CEREBRAL PALSY
Numerous complications, whether they arise in childhood or later in life, can be exacerbated by muscle weakness, muscle spasticity, and issues with coordination.
- Contracture –As a result of severe muscle spasticity, contracture, which is the shortening of muscle tissue, can prevent bone growth, bend bones, and cause dislocation or partial dislocation of joints.
- Premature aging –Because of the physical strain that cerebral palsy places on a person’s body, most people with it start to age prematurely around the age of 40.
- Malnutrition –Some children with cerebral palsy need a feeding tube to get enough nutrition. Swallowing or feeding problems can make it difficult for someone with cerebral palsy, particularly an infant, to get enough nutrition.
- Mental health conditions –Social isolation and the difficulties of adjusting to disabilities can all lead to mental health conditions like depression in people with cerebral palsy.
- Heart and lung disease –Heart, lung, and breathing problems can all manifest in cerebral palsy patients.
- Osteoarthritis –Early onset of this excruciating degenerative bone disease may be caused by pressure on joints or abnormal joint alignment due to muscle spasticity.
- Osteopenia –Osteopenia, or low bone density, can lead to fractures, and it can be caused by a number of common things, including immobility, poor nutrition, and anti-epileptic medication use.
PREVENTION OF CEREBRAL PALSY
If a woman is pregnant or intends to become pregnant, she can follow these guidelines to maintain good health and reduce pregnancy-related risks:
Make sure to be vaccinated.
Take care of yourself.
Seek early and continuous prenatal care.
Practice good child safety.
Avoid alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs.
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF CEREBRAL PALSY
Homeopathy not only treats cerebral palsy symptoms but also removes its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. Many well-proven medicines are available for cerebral palsy that can be selected on the basis of cause, condition, sensation, and modalities of the complaints. Some typical homeopathic medications are aspirin, chamomilla, and neem.
Numerous medications include Gelsemium, Alumina, Plumbum Met, Phosphorous, Picric Acid, Causticum, Argentums Nit, Agaricus Mus, and Zincum Met.
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