Cerebral palsy nervous system

Nervous system is made up of cells better known as neuron. Nervous system consists of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

Central nervous system

This consists of brain and spinal cord. Brain is the organ that receives processes and gives directions to the parts of the body. Spinal cord serves as a pathway. All the impulses are received and passed only through spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system

This is a part of the nervous system. This consists of nerves that extend and reside from central nervous system. These nerves are supplied to the limbs and organs. This nervous system is not protected by bone and blood brain barrier. This nervous system is divided in to somatic nervous system and autonomic nervous system.

Somatic nervous system

These nerves are responsible for the control of voluntary movements of the body. These nerves are also used to receive the external stimuli. Somatic nervous system consists of afferent nerves [to receive impulses from external stimuli] and efferent nerves [to send impulses from the brain].

Autonomous nervous system

This consists of sympathetic and Para sympathetic nerves. Parasympathetic nerves are responsible for energy saving and digestion. Sympathetic nerves are responsible for energy expenditure and response.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a disorder of nervous system. Here the movements of the body and the coordination of the muscles are disturbed. The reason is damage to the specific areas of brain that occurs during fetal development.

Cerebral means brain and palsy means movement disorder or posture disorder. The children suffering with cerebral palsy cannot talk, walk, eat and/or play as the other children.

Cerebral palsy is neither communicable nor progressive. Cerebral palsy cannot be cured. But through conductive education, and therapy the patients can be made lead a productive life.

The person affected with cerebral palsy will find it impossible to control motor functions [especially muscle coordination and control].The affected person will have one or more of the following symptoms depending on the part of the brain damaged. The symptoms are muscle spasm, disturbance in mobility and gait, involuntary movement, abnormal perception and sensation, seizures and impaired speech, hearing or sight.

Diagnosis

Cerebral palsy is diagnosed based on the symptoms. Though the onset of cerebral palsy is as soon as the delivery, the diagnosis could be made when the child grows to 5 -6 years old.

Treatment

As the brain damage cannot be corrected, the aim of the treatment is to reduce the sufferings of the child by treating the manifestations. Physiotherapy can be tried to improve the motor skills. Physical therapy like cats and splints can be used to reduce the contractures. Drugs are used to reduce the spasticity.

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