Is there a treatment against cerebral palsy?

Author: cumurciuca | Posted: 26.01.2012

Cerebral palsy is a generic name for a series of movement disorders. It is the most common type of movement disorder among children in the United States, affecting around 800,000 individuals. The majority of them are born with this condition even if the symptoms might not be visible by the age of three.

Causes and symptoms

The condition is caused by traumatic brain injuries, which can occur in different ways before or during birth. If a baby’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen at a certain point or if it is exposed to sudden pressure changes, like in case of a too fast or too slow delivery, it might suffer damages that will lead to the development of cerebral palsy.

The symptoms of the disease are various, depending on which area of the brain has been affected, and how severe the damages are. The most common signs include difficulties in walking and speaking, problems with coordination and balance, mental retardation and psychiatric problems.

Treatment possibilities

Cerebral palsy is a permanent disability. There is no medication to cure the condition, treatment is only prescribed in order to control the symptoms and allow patients to live a more normal life. The most often used treatment methods include:

• Surgery: used in solving problems with bones and muscles

• Physical therapy: used in problems regarding walking ability and plasticity

• Medication to control muscle spasm and pain

• Counseling and behavior therapy

• Mobility aids: wheelchairs

• Voice synthesizers: used to help people with speaking problems

Besides medical support the U.S legislation guaranties these individuals the right to receive financial support, the right to education and to work and live in the community.



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