Ataxic, athetoid, spastic or mixed - a guide to the
different types of Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Cerebral palsy - a life in the balance
What To Know About The Various Types Of Cerebral Palsy by :
Low Jeremy
Cerebral Palsy, then commonly known as "cerebral paralysis",
was first recognized in 1860 by William Little, a British surgeon.
Little increased the possibility that asphyxia during the birth of a
child is the main cause of cerebral palsy. But not until 1897, a well
known neurologist named Sigmund Freud suggested that difficult birth was
not a basis but rather a symptom of some other effects on fetal
progress. During the 1980’s, a research conducted by NINDS or National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, suggested also that only
some cases of cerebral palsy are caused by asphyxia during child birth.
The word "cerebral" in medical term is for the brain while "palsy” means
the disorder of the posture or movement. By the definition, cerebral
palsy describes to a group of situation wherein the posture and movement
are very affected as a result to the damage done to one or more parts of
the brain.
Depending on which part of the brain was damaged, the following
conditions may be present although every individual with cerebral palsy
is affected in a very different way:
- Coordination and balance problems
- Difficulty in maintaining and controlling of posture (like when a
person wants to sit upright, help is required)
- Having an epilepsy (one out of three in children with cerebral
palsy have an epilepsy
- Difficulty in talking, drinking, and eating (swallowing)
- Difficulty in learning process
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy disorder can be categorized into four types and these are
ataxic, athetoid, spastic, and mixed:
- Ataxic
This type of CP affects to about 5 to 10 percent of most CP patients.
Ataxic is characterized by the deficits to the balance and depth
sensitivity that results to poor coordination in fine motor tasks.
- Athetoid
A type of CP that affects to about 10 to 20% of most CP patients.
Athetoid is characterized by very slow movements. Uncontrollable
movements usually occur in hands, arms, legs, and feet. Also, face and
tongue muscles can be affected that may result into drooling or
grimacing. Affected tongue muscles may also result to difficulty in
speaking.
- Spastic
The most common type of CP that accounts to about 70 to 80 percent of
all CP patients. Spastic is characterized by the stiffing of limb
muscles that can result to permanent contraction.
- Mixed
this type of CP affects to about 30 percent of all CP cases. Symptoms
are like to one of the three types stated above. Furthermore, athetoid
and spastic forms of CP can coexist.
In general, cerebral palsy is not a progressive type where the brain
can’t get any worse. Application of regular and appropriate therapy is
provided so as to improve mobility and coordination skills.
About The Author
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its
entirety with all links included. For more information on cerebral
palsy, what causes it & where to get advice, please visit
cerebral-palsy.articlekeep.com
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