The body parts that are affected by Cerebral Palsy depend on the type that you have!
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disorder that often occurs from a birth injury and impacts a person’s motor skills, balance, and posture. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, but there are treatment options available to help with the symptoms. Here are the four main types of Cerebral Palsy.
Spastic
Also known as Pyramidal Cerebral Palsy, this is the most common type of the disorder, making up for more than 70% of all CP patients. It occurs as a result of brain damage to the motor cortex or pyramidal tracts. Spastic Cerebral Palsy is mainly characterized by stiff muscles that are unable to relax in certain areas of the body. This makes the affected joints difficult to maneuver and control. Not only does Spastic CP impact a person’s ability to move, but it also makes it difficult for them to eat and speak as well.
Athetoid
This type of Cerebral Palsy most often occurs due to birth asphyxia (lack of oxygen at birth). It is less common than Spastic CP, making up for only 10-20% of all those diagnosed. Rather than difficulty with movements, Athetoid Cerebral Palsy is known for causing uncontrollable jerks and movements in the arms, legs, hands, and feet. It tends to affect the upper body more than the lower one and can also make it hard to eat and speak.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
The least common form of Cerebral Palsy is Ataxic, making up for less than 10% of those diagnosed. This type stems from damage to the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls motor function. Those diagnosed typically experience tremors while performing voluntary movements. This makes it difficult to perform daily tasks such as writing or buttoning a shirt due to precise motor control required to do these things.
Mixed
As the name suggests, Mixed Cerebral Palsy is simply just a combination of any of the other three types. Somebody with Mixed CP may have some tight, stiff muscles that come from Spastic CP and some muscle tremors that come with Athetoid CP. This types results from damage to multiple parts of the brain.
Has Your Loved One Been Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy? Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
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