Ballywho News

Whether your child was born with cerebral palsy or has developed it later in life, its effects differ from child to child. Cerebral palsy is a set of neurological conditions, not a disease, like cancer or multiple sclerosis. There are a number of causes of cerebral palsy in infants, including an infection prior to birth or a lack of oxygen during birth. Children can also suffer brain damage shortly after birth and develop cerebral palsy.

About cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is actually a group of conditions which involve damage to an area the brain that controls the muscles. This causes a child to have problems with walking, balancing, posture and coordination. Some children may become self-sufficient, while others with more debilitating forms of cerebral palsy must rely on others for physical, mental and emotional support.

There are three types of cerebral palsy:

• Spastic — causes stiffness and movement difficulties
• Athetoid — characterized by involuntary and uncontrolled movements
• Ataxic — creates a disturbed sense of balance and depth perception

The brain damage that causes cerebral palsy can cause other motor skills deficiencies, such as a lack of bladder and bowel control, and difficulty breathing, swallowing and eating. There are psychological issues that can arise due to the lack of muscle control, as well as challenges with socialization.

Is it preventable?

While cerebral palsy that occurs in a fetus or at the time of the baby’s birth cannot be prevented, the Centers for Disease Control have identified measures that can minimize the risk of developing it in older children, such as:

• Wearing helmets on bicycles, skateboards and motorcycles, to protect the head and brain
• Using car seats for children
• Never shaking an infant
• Treatment of jaundice in infants

Cerebral palsy and water therapy

Children with cerebral palsy can gain tremendous benefits from aquatic therapy, notes United Cerebral Palsy. The many positives include:

• Improvement in muscle tone and muscle strength
• Improved endurance
• Greater cardiovascular function
• Better self esteem
• Therapeutic benefits due to reduced gravity
• Enhanced quality of life
• Improvements in circulation, endurance, flexibility, range of motion, balance, and coordination

Kids are kids

Depending on the type of cerebral palsy a child has, he or she may require braces to walk, or need to use a wheelchair. But no matter what devices your child needs, they are still a kid inside. Children with cerebral palsy do many of the things other kids do, and like many of the things other kids like.

Meeting with your son or daughter’s teachers can help ease them into school life, and the teacher can explain to the other students why their classmate looks different, but isn’t really all that different.

Palms West can help

The Aquatic Rehabilitation Center at Palms West Hospital is an ideal place for water-based therapy for kids with cerebral palsy. We offer a heated 15’ by 30’ rehabilitation pool with an automated lift, making it accessible to most patients. Our staff employs a combination of manual therapy techniques and aquatic exercises to reduce pain and improve function in youngsters.

If you would like to learn more about the Aquatic Rehabilitation Center, give us a call at (561) 792-8067. If you would like a physician referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-4-HCA-DOCS, or visit Palms West Hospital online.