Cerebral Palsy, Muscle Disease and Movement Disorders

News Health Articles - Cerebral Palsy, Muscle Disease and Movement Disorders.

Description

Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder, muscle, or posture caused by injury or abnormal development in the brain, most often occurs before birth. Signs and symptoms appear during infancy or preschool. In general, cerebral palsy causes a movement disorder associated with exaggerated reflexes or rigidity, abnormal posture, involuntary movements, unsteadiness when walking, or some combination of these disorders. Effects of cerebral palsy in functional abilities vary greatly.



People with cerebral palsy often have other conditions associated with abnormalities of brain development, such as intellectual disability, vision and hearing problems, or seizures. A wide spectrum of treatments can help reduce the effects of cerebral palsy and improve a person's functional ability.

Cause

Cerebral palsy is caused by disorder or disturbance in brain development, usually before the child was born. In many cases, the exact trigger of this disorder is unknown. Factors that could cause problems with brain development, including:

1. Mutations in genes that control brain development
2. Maternal infection that affects the developing fetus
3. Fetal stroke, impaired blood supply to the developing brain
4. Lack of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) associated with hard labor
5. Infant infection that causes inflammation in or around the brain
6. Trauma, such as head injuries in infants from motor vehicle accidents, falls, or child abuse

Symptom

Signs and symptoms can vary greatly. And coordination of movement disorders associated with cerebral palsy may include:

1. Disturbances in muscle, which is too stiff or too weak
2. Stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes (spasticity)
3. Stiff muscles with a normal reflex (rigidity)
4. Lack of muscle coordination (ataxia)
5. Tremors or involuntary movements
6. Slow movements (athetosis)
7. The delay in reaching motor skills
8. Prefer to use one side of the body, such as dragging his feet when crawling
9. Difficulty walking, such as walking or crouch gait
10. Difficulty swallowing
11. Difficulty sucking or eating
12. Delays in the development of speech or difficulty speaking
13. The difficulty with the proper motion

Treatment

Children and adults with cerebral palsy will require some degree of long-term care with medical care team. Drugs that can reduce muscle tension can be used to improve functional ability, treat the pain and manage the complications associated with spasticity. Selection of drug depends on whether the problem affects only certain muscles (isolated) or whole body (general).

Various therapies can also help people with cerebral palsy to improve functional ability. Therapy can include:

1. Physical Therapy
2. Occupational therapy
3. Speech therapy

Surgery may be needed to reduce muscle spasm or bone disorders caused by spasms. Surgical procedures may include:

1. Orthopaedic Surgery
2. Cutting the nerve

Sources: MayoClinic