What is the main cause of cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is usually caused by a problem that affects the development of a baby’s brain while it’s growing in the womb. These include: damage to part of the brain called white matter, possibly as a result of a reduced blood or oxygen supply – this is known as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)
How long can you live with cerebral palsy?
Generally, children born with cerebral palsy can expect to live between 30 and 70 years on average. Those with the longest life expectancies usually have more mobility, better medical care and adaptive equipment and greater autonomy and independence. There is no cure for cerebral palsy and the condition lasts for life.
Can you walk with cerebral palsy?
Yes, many people with cerebral palsy can walk! In fact, over half of all individuals with cerebral palsy can walk on their own without mobility aids like walkers or crutches. Cerebral palsy doesn’t necessarily have to affect the legs.
Does cerebral palsy get worse with age?
Cerebral Palsy and Adulthood Explained Cerebral palsy is a “non-progressive” disorder. This means that as children get older, their CP will not worsen. While an individual’s cerebral palsy will not decline as they get older, there are a few things that can impact their overall health and wellness.
Does cerebral palsy affect speech?
Cerebral palsy can affect a person’s ability to finely coordinate the muscles around the mouth and tongue that are needed for speech. The coordinated breathing that is needed to support speech can also be affected, e.g. some people may sound ‘breathy’ when they speak.
Is cerebral palsy painful?
Several scientific studies have identified pain as one of the most common problems experienced by individuals with CP, children and adults alike, and as many as 75% of adults with CP suffer from chronic pain. Pain in CP seems to be overlooked and insufficiently treated by caregivers and health professionals.
Can people with cerebral palsy drive?
You bet they can! Just because someone has cerebral palsy doesn’t mean they won’t be able to drive. Cerebral palsy is a motor disability that affects movement. However, thanks to car adaptations, many people with cerebral palsy can safely drive.
Do kids with cerebral palsy speak?
Some people with cerebral palsy may not be able to produce any sounds, others may be able to produce sounds but have difficulty controlling their movement enough to produce speech that is clear and understood by others. 1 in 4 people with cerebral palsy cannot talk.
What it feels like to have cerebral palsy?
It is having some muscles that don’t work properly. Some are weak, and some are too tight. I occasionally have spasticity flare ups in my legs, and it is harder for me to do certain things. I also get tired more quickly.
Are people with cerebral palsy in constant pain?
Most people understand what it is to have pain, but not all have experienced the kind of chronic pain that a child with cerebral palsy may have to live with indefinitely. There are many consequences of living with pain, especially if it is not addressed or lessened by medication or other treatment strategies.
What are the symptoms and causes of cerebral palsy?
Overview. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. It’s caused by damage that occurs to the immature brain as it develops, most often before birth. Signs and symptoms appear during infancy or preschool years. In general, cerebral palsy causes impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes,…
Are there any cures or cures for cerebral palsy?
There is no cure, but treatments and therapies can make a big difference. Cerebral palsy is actually a group of neurological disorders and disabilities, not just one condition, and all can cause some degree of disability in movement, balance, and posture. Cerebral palsy is the most common movement and motor disability in children.
Is the damage to the brain from cerebral palsy permanent?
Cerebral Palsy is permanent. The injury and damage to the brain is permanent. The brain does not “heal” as other parts of the body might. Because of this, the Cerebral Palsy itself will not change for better or worse during a person’s lifetime. On the other hand, associative conditions may improve or worsen over time.
How does cerebral palsy affect movement and posture?
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. It’s caused by damage that occurs to the immature brain as it develops, most often before birth.
Does cerebral palsy ever go away?
Cerebral palsy is mostly a condition that people are born with, caused by injury to the developing brain. It is not contagious, like a cold or measles. Cerebral palsy does not get worse, but it also does not go away.
What is it like to live with cerebral palsy?
The life expectancy for a person with cerebral palsy can range from 30 years of age to age 60 or 70. People with rigidity and severe spasticity are likely to have shorter life expectancy, while people with mild to moderate cerebral palsy complications are likely to live longer.
What are the characteristics of someone with cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy in children can be classified as spastic, athetoid, ataxic , or mixed. characteristics of cerebral palsy in children include trouble annunciating, mental retardation, vision and hearing disorders, and seizures.
What are the causes and symptoms of cerebral palsy?
A problem in the brain that may arise due to different factors including infection, prematurity, genetic disorders, or stroke causes cerebral palsy. The most common signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy are related to problems controlling movement and can include problems with coordination, stiff muscles,…
