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  • Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition where the brain is unable to control the body's movement and posture. Cerebral palsy is usually caused by damage to the brain during pregnancy or birth, but can occur up to the age of 3, according to the Cerebral Palsy Source. There are four basic types or classifications of cerebral palsy.

    Symptoms

    Symptoms of cerebral palsy usually start showing up during the first few years of life. Each person will have different symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some people will have physical symptoms only, while others will have mental disabilities as well. The region of the brain that is damaged determines which type of cerebral palsy the person will have.

    Types

    The four basic classifications of cerebral palsy are, Spastic, Athetoid, Ataxic, and Mixed. Spastic is most common and involves permanently stiff and contracted muscles of hands, legs or half the body. Athetoid is the second most common and it is characterized by slow writhing movements of the hands or feet, and drooling. Ataxic Cerebral palsy involves lack of balance. Mixed cerebral palsy is a combination of two or more types. Spastic and athetoid CP may involve mild to severe retardation.

    Incidence

    Approximately 800,000 children and adults have CP in the United States, according to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation. The severity of CP differs from person to person.

    Early Signs

    A parent will notice the signs of CP before the child reaches the age of 3. In all types you might notice that your baby's motor skills are behind, for example, they are not rolling over or sitting up. Your baby may have no muscle tone and feel very floppy in your arms or have times of muscle tension and tightening for spastic and athetoid. Your baby may be lopsided and have more muscle coordination on one side of their body than the other. As your child gets older it will be more apparent what type of CP your child has.

    Treatment

    Treatment of cerebral palsy depends on the type. With each type you may be involved with physical therapy to help control or relax the muscles and improve balance. Oral medications, such as, botulinum toxin, can be given in some types to help control spastic and athetoid muscles. Surgery can be done to release the spastic muscles in severe cases. Medication can be given to relieve drooling. Special shoes and equipment are provided to help a person who has ataxic CP that affects his balance.

    Source:

    Cerebral Palsy Source

    National Institute of Neurological Disorders

    Cerebral Palsy Types

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