Cerebral palsy can have mild to severe indications. Often Cerebral Palsy need not necessarily weaken the patient entirely as part of the brain which controls our thinking is separate from the part which is responsible for controlling our movements. Therefore, many people suffering from cerebral palsy can have normal intelligence in spite of motor and movement problems with the best cerebral palsy treatment in Gurgaon.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is not infectious or hereditary in nature. In certain cases, there may be no one reason that can be identified. It is usually accepted that causes of cerebral palsy can be varied and complex which might include the following causes and risk factors that can be treated with the help of best cerebral palsy treatment in Gurgaon:
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premature delivery in some cases
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Infections in mother that can affect the baby in the womb
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Interruption of blood supply to the developing brain of the unborn baby (fetus)
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Deprivation of oxygen to the brain (asphyxia) related to delivery or difficult labor
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Infections that follows the birth that leads to the inflammation in or around the brain
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Traumatic injury to the head to an infant from an accident, child abuse or a fall
What are the features of cerebral palsy?
The signs and symptoms can differ from patient-to-patient. An important fact is that the child suffering from cerebral palsy often show a delay in attaining development especially motor skills.
A child who is over 2 months having cerebral palsy might:
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Have trouble controlling head when picked up
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A child above 6 months of age suffering with cerebral palsy might
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Continue to face difficulty controlling head when picked up
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Reach with the help of only one hand while keeping the other in a fist
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Have legs that are stiff that cross or "scissor" while picking up
A child over 10 months with cerebral palsy might:
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Might push off while crawling with one hand and leg while pulling the opposite hand and leg
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Early hand preference (Normally occurs after 2 years of age)
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Can not sit by himself or herself
A child above 12 months suffering from cerebral palsy might:
A child above 24 months suffering from cerebral palsy might:
When is cerebral palsy diagnosed?
Doctor should be able to diagnose by 2 or 3 months of age with help of symptoms, signs and investigations. Sometimes, it is not obvious with milder symptoms and it takes longer to understand the disease process.
How do doctors diagnose cerebral palsy?
Once diagnosed, child should be asked for investigations to find out the cause of cerebral palsy. Early identification and intervention is the key to better outcome. As soon as you get the diagnosis, we should analyze if some medicine can help the child to decrease the spasticity and must start the rehabilitation therapies. In selected children, botox injections can be given by specialist to specific muscles with good results.
What is the treatment?
There is no cure as of now for cerebral palsy but physical therapy is amongst the most important treatments and can help the child to realize his full potential. Medicines, surgery, and special equipment are also often required for the best cerebral palsy treatment in Gurgaon.
Is there any role of Botox therapy?
Botox injections have become quite popular and are thus the treatment of choice for selected spastic muscles. It needs to be done after thorough evaluation including gait posture, and functional analysis. The goal is to reduce the spasticity, pain and enhance the range of motion in a given joint. Once you get the therapy, you need to follow a disciplined physiotherapy program for achieving the maximum benefit of Botox injections and get the best cerebral palsy treatment in Gurgaon
How does it work?
Skeletal muscles tighten in response to the release that occurs from the nerve endings of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When BTA is injected into a muscle, the release of acetylcholine is blocked, that causes relaxation of overactive muscles. The injections usually take effect within a few days and last for several months.
Can Botox cure cerebral palsy?
No, this cannot cure the disease and it is not the best choice of treatment for all types of cerebral palsy. It only helps in the management of spasticity (tight muscles) and dystonia (fluctuating muscle tone) with good results. You can visit the best pediatric neurologist in Gurgaon for the right treatment.
Children that walk with toes usually have tight gastrocnemius muscles; can be easily helped by injecting these muscles. When injected into the calf or the muscles of the lower leg, it can relax these muscles, making walking comfortable and easier, as well as generally developing balance and reducing the frequency of falls. Children with scissoring gait usually have tighter hamstrings and adductor muscles.
What are the side effects of Botox?
The reported side-effects of Botox are usually mild and short-lived.
They include:
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Pain occurring post-injection requiring simple analgesia
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Improved frequency of falls in the first 2 weeks of injection
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Mild, flu-like symptoms
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Incontinence that is temporary
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A difficulty faced in swallowing, especially where upper limb or neck is injected
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Mood swings/irritability
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Fatigue
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Anaphylaxis [an allergic reaction that is severe], but rare.
Conclusion
Thus, botulinum injection (Botox) is a good option in cerebral palsy, however, it should be delivered by experts having a good experience and needless to emphasize the significance of details evaluation before and after the therapy. One must remember that these injections are not helpful if not combined with a good rehabilitation program with the best cerebral palsy treatment in Gurgaon.
