In the video, Lucinda Carr from England stated that cerebral palsy “CP” is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. Cerebralpalsy.org defines cerebral palsy in the following manner it is a loss or impairment of motor function that is caused by brain damage. The brain damage is caused by a brain injury or abnormal development of the brain that occurs when the child is developing in the mother’s womb. It could also happen during birth or immediately after birth. It affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture, and balance. It can also affect fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and oral motor functioning.
Cerebral palsy is caused by the abnormal development of the brain or damage to the developing brain that affects one’s ability to control his or her muscles. Some people think it is caused by the lack of oxygen during the birth process. Before or during birth is called congenital which is the majority of the cerebral palsy. Other factors also cause cerebral palsy: low birth weight, premature birth, multiple births, infertility treatments, and infections during pregnancy, jaundice, and kernicterus, mom’s medical conditions (thyroid, intellectual disability, and seizures) and birth complications. Some of the examples that may occur are if there is brain damage it will occur or appear 28 days after birth, which is known as acquired “CP” which is connected to infection (meningitis/encephalitis) or a head injury. The brain injury is caused by a motor vehicle accident or child abuse additional problems include the blood flow to the brain.
Before medical intervention can be provided one needs to understand the diagnosis for each individual is different and so is the treatment. The following needs to take place a review of medical history, a physical evaluation, which includes MRI’s, cranial ultrasounds, EEG (electroencephalogram), lab tests and other tests (vision, hearing, speech, intellectual, and movement). The goal of medical intervention is therapy and adaptive equipment. First one needs to manage the condition; manage or control the pain; provide the counsel to help social interactions by promoting independence and fostering self-care and optimizing the ability to communicate by maximizing learning and providing quality of life.
Some of the medical interventions and rehabilitation that are used for cerebral palsy are physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapies, including adaptive equipment. Listed below are some of the medical interventions and rehabilitation used for cerebral palsy. For example, medications are used to help control muscle spasm; uncontrollable limb movement and seizures they are baclofen, diazepam, botox, and oxcarbazepine. Surgery is also used to reduce spasms, increase flexibility and gain control of muscle and limbs but it also has risks can cause medical complications. Braces and assistive devices enable better posture or help with walking. Immobility customized scooter or wheelchair are also utilized. Speech is an issue and often causes frustration that is why they see a speech pathologist to help increase their oral motor and communication skills. Recreation therapy to help with the physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills
I added this website it provided additional information for families with cerebral palsy, https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/community/
Dr. Robert S. Fisher explained that when the brain has a surge of electrical activity caused by a chemical change in the nerve cells (neurons). So, think of it as an electrical storm, when all the neurons become over excited and impede the brain cells from communicating with one another. Seizures are not the disease but the symptom of many disorders that affects the brain. Additional research that I looked up John Hopkins Medicine states that when multiple cells misfire at the same time it is the electrical discharge in the brain causing alterations in behavior, sensation or consciousness.
Many changes can occur to an individual during a seizure but it depends on the severity of the seizure. For example, the person can be confused or look like they are staring at something that is not there, and they can also hear but cannot understand or respond. Other times the person is fully conscious and is aware that something is happening to them and will remember after the seizure happens. In addition, seizures can cause a person to fall, shake or become unaware of what is going on around them. At times a person can become fully unconscious and may never remember what happens. So many changes can occur during the seizure-like the individual may go stiff and fall backward cry out, bite tongue or check, have the problem breathing, their skin color can change, wet themselves and may feel tired, confused, have a headache or want to sleep.
Seizures and epilepsy are neurological disorders involving the nervous system. Epilepsy is an illness and disorder while the seizure is just the symptom and occurrence.
A seizure is a brief single occurrence caused by the disruption in neurons (brain cells) interaction that can cause changes in the behavior or consciousness. It is a condition where there is excessive brain activity causing a mixing of signals on the neurons that manifests in jerking and muscle stiffness. Low blood sugar; sodium, high fever, other electrolyte disturbances, alcohol withdrawal, drugs and infections like meningitis provoke seizures. The seizure lasts about a minute.
Epilepsy is two or more unprovoked recurring seizure occurring greater than 24 hours apart it is caused by developmental of the brain and/or genetic issues that were probably presented at birth and heredity – it runs in the family. It is a chronic condition that occurs as a result of abnormal electrical activity due to injury to the brain, inadequate oxygen, infection, tumors, and strokes. Although the actual cause is unknown it sometimes referred to a seizure disorder.