Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy can be identified a few different ways. First, a doctor may diagnose it after a baby begins to miss milestones or show signs of having trouble controlling their muscles. Second, a doctor may order a CAT Scan. If the CAT Scan shows anything unusual, then an MRI is ordered. The MRI is more detailed. An MRI can tell if there is brain damage from an injury. Third, Cerebral Palsy can be identified by ruling out other things. Blood tests are used to make sure that there isn't something else causing the problem.

Before treatment can begin, it is important to figure out which form (or type) of Cerebral Palsy that the child has. There are three types. They are Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, and Ataxic Cerebral Palsy. Spastic Cerebral Palsy got its name because of the jerky movements made by patients. Patients often have stiff muscles. Athetoid Cerebral Palsy sufferers have trouble sitting up and often experience spasms that can make it difficult for them to eat, talk, and hold various items. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy is the least common of the three types. It causes shaky movements when walking for holding things. It can also affect a patients vision.

Therapy is the best form of treatment an individual with Cerebral Palsy can get. There are three basic forms of therapy, and all three should be utilized. First, there is physical therapy. Physical therapy will help Cerebral Palsy patients learn to walk, get up and down stairs, ride special bicycles, and control their movements as best as they can. Speech therapy is used to help Cerebral Palsy patients communicate. Even if a Cerebral Palsy patient cannot speak with words, the therapist can teach them to use talkers or picture boards to communicate. Finally, there is Occupational Therapy. Occupational therapists teach Cerebral Palsy patients how to perform every day tasks such as put on and take off clothes, drink from a cup, eat with a fork, button a shirt, or make pudding.

Medication is a form of treatment for certain aspects of Cerebral Palsy. If a patient is drooling, a doctor can prescribe a pill or a patch for that. This will help the patient's ability to eat. There are also medications out there that are made to calm down muscle spasms. It can lesson the amount of jerky movements. This can make it easier for Cerebral Palsy patients to pick up and hold objects. It is important to note that doctors can prescribe medications to help with some of the symptoms of Cerebral Palsy, but they can't cure it.

An important part of treating Cerebral Palsy is getting the proper equipment. A wheelchair can give a Cerebral Palsy patient mobility that they wouldn't have otherwise. Sometimes all that is needed are some fitted braces for the Cerebral Palsy patient to get around. There are all different kinds of talkers that can be programed for a Cerebral Palsy patient to use if they have trouble with their speech. Also, they make Aqua Joggers to hold Cerebral Palsy patients upright in a swimming pool so that they can swim unassisted. The best thing to do is to get your doctor or therapist to recommend the right equipment. You can then apply to the insurance company to get it.