DIFFICULT COMBINATION OF CEREBRAL PALSY AND AGING

Cerebral Palsy and aging will make considerable changes to a body and mind of a person. Well the factors which can ensure the well-being of people with cerebral palsy as they become older are not being revealed till now. Basically cerebral palsy is a non-degenerative disorder i.e. it does not worsens with the aging. There is no standard expectation on how would the disorders change, worsen or improve, with aging since cerebral palsy affects each patient differently.

People who are less afflicted to cerebral palsy generally live a normal life span. But the people who have noticeable cerebral palsy activities have their reduced efficiency and the disabilities or abnormalities may worsen than they used to be in younger age. Many people believe that cerebral palsy is a lifetime disease, therefore patients of cerebral palsy develops the signs of aging much earlier. The disease has reduced the functions of the body than they would have been in actual aging process.

The people who themselves are affected by cerebral palsy were questioned regarding their aging process because they themselves encounter all the problems and they face them personally. Respondents reported that they certainly have some extra and distinct problems or malfunctioning due to aging. The reported problems were losing the ability to do daily routine work, losing complete vision, losing ability to read, disability to walk or in some cases the patient is completely on bed. Yet another major affect of cerebral palsy and aging found was the body does not respond completely or abruptly as per the instructions of mind. Many others told that most of there sufferings come from the inflexible muscles, joints and limbs.

Studies reveal that cerebral palsy and aging may cause increased spasticity, loss of strength, declining mobility or inability of the mind to respond properly thus increases fatigue and anxiety. The overall result of the studies which were conducted to determine the relation between cerebral palsy and aging says that the combination of two results in losing the capabilities that were achieved in their childhood. As the person deteriorates, his ability to work reduces. If the person with cerebral palsy has to quit his work because of aging, they lose the social network and also the energy to perform day to day tasks is reduced greatly.

Well some known physical problems faced by the people with cerebral palsy are listed herewith. The symptoms of cerebral palsy and aging include decline in dental health in youth, negative effects from excessive use of medications, early onset arthritis, increased respiratory problems, incontinence, skin deterioration, increased dependency, slowed down healing fractures and breaks, and weakness.

Aging reduces energy levels, not only does it affects a normal individual physically but imposes mental changes too. Eventually the affects are even poorer for those who have cerebral palsy. For an infant it is important that if cerebral palsy persists in him, it should be diagnosed within a month or so as the consequences are worse thereafter. This is because the disease demands immediate medical treatment to control and rectify the symptoms of cerebral palsy from growing.

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