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Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage that takes place before, during or shortly following birth. It is a medical condition that is distinguished by the inability to control muscles and bodily movements.
Classifications
There are four classifications of cerebral palsy: spastic, ataxic, athetoid and mixed. Each affects the body in its own way.
Spastic
The spastic form of cerebral palsy occurs when the body's muscles are too tight. Those suffering from spastic cerebral palsy will have both stiff and jerky movements.
Antaxic
When the muscles are very weak, ataxic cerebral palsy will cause shaky and unsteady movements. Patients suffer from the lack of ability to balance properly.
Athetoid
Athetoid cerebral palsy is somewhat like both the spastic and ataxic types. Patients suffer from unintentional movements and have difficulty staying in an upright position.
Mixed
Mixed cerebral palsy is a combination of spastic, ataxic and athetoid. The muscles can be both too tight and very weak.
Treatment
Cerebral palsy is not curable, but it is also not a life-threatening condition. There are several beneficial therapies.
Source
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