The term Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a general term used to describe a group of chronic conditions that affect a person's ability to move. It involves damage to the brain that usually occurs at birth or during infancy. The symptoms occur due to improper development of the brain, inhibiting the brain's ability to coordinate movement. While it is typically diagnosed during childhood it can be managed and carried into adulthood.
History
William John Little, an English surgeon, was the first to record descriptions of children who had difficulty moving and other symptoms classic of CP. During this time the condition was called Little's disease. It was believed that the condition was caused due to a lack of oxygen during birth which damaged brain tissue. Around 1897 the famous psychiatrist Sigmund Freud noted that since these children also showed symptoms of mental retardation, sight loss and seizures. Given this he proposed d that the damage to the brain was actually occurring during fetal development and before birth. During the 1980's there were a vast number of studies trying to determine the exact cause. It was found that only a small number of cases of CP were caused by complicated births, and that in many of the cases no exact cause could be found.
The name "cerebral palsy" was defined as more information about the disease became known. The term "cerebral" refers to the brain and "palsy" refers to a physical disorder such as difficulty moving.
Considerations
According to the United Cerebral Palsy Association, it is now believed that CP is actually a group of disorders that all have different causes. Some types occur due to improper development of the brain before birth. In some cases it is present at birth but not detected for months. Other cases occur due to injury to the brain during birth. Acquired CP occurs during the first few years of life and is caused by infections in the brain or the result of a head injury. However, even today there are cases of CP where the cause is unknown.
Types
There are three major categories of CP and a forth category which is a mix of the three kinds. Spastic CP is the most common form. In this case the patient's muscles are stiff and constantly contracted. It can effect either just one side of the body or both. Athetoid, or dyskinetic CP is characterized by movement difficulties in the hands, feet, arms and legs, and it can effect the facial muscles. These patients often have slow and uncontrolled writing ability. Ataxic CP is more rare and causes problems in balance and depth perception. There can also be tremors as these patients attempt to initiate movement. In all types, the disability can be mild, moderate or severe and each case of CP is different. No two persons with CP are affected exactly the same.
Effects
An adult with CP will experience varied symptoms based on the type and severity of CP they have and how their condition has been managed. In some cases the symptoms of CP such as muscle spasticity and tightness can worsen or not progress at all. Some adults with CP will eventually have difficulty with walking. Due to the stress this condition places on the body, early onset arthritis can occur in some patients in their thirties. Patients can also experience dental problems as well. This occurs not so much from the disease but due to the inability to control movement during dental treatment. This results in some dentists being reluctant to provide treatment. Other patients have the life expectancy of average adults and experience only mild disability. There is no way to determine exactly how the adult with CP with will be affected and how the disease will progress.
Potential
Adults living with CP may require support with everyday activities such as bathing, eating, dressing and finding employment. They may need to have a personal assistant. There are also several kinds of adaptive equipment and devices that can be installed around the home. With the right support and management of the condition, adults with CP can live independently, raise families, work full time and participate in leisure activities. Exercise and regular activity are essential to help maintain muscle tone and flexibility.
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