Cerebral Palsy
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a term used to describe a group of disorders affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls body movement, coordination, and posture. The damage occurs most commonly during pregnancy, but can occur during or shortly after birth. Sources of the damage include: genetic factors, head injury, infection of the brain, lack of oxygen during labor and delivery, gene mutations, and severe jaundice in infants.
Cerebral Palsy has many symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some of the more common symptoms include:
- Difficulty or inability to walk
- Spasticity or muscle tightness
- Lack of muscle coordination
- Involuntary movements
- Difficulty speaking
- Problems with swallowing
- Seizures
- Blindness
- Spinal issues like Scoliosis, Lordosis, or Kyphosis
- Osteoarthritis or joint pain
- Osteopenia or poor bone density
