Dyskinesia Cerebral Palsy: Causes and Symptoms
Before fully understanding dyskinesia cerebral palsy, we should first learn about cerebral palsy disease. So what is this condition? Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s movement and muscle tone or posture. These disorders are distinguished according to the area of the affected brain and how the muscles respond to the damage.
There are four main types of cerebral palsy, namely:
- Spastic cerebral Palsy is the most common form of CP, and a patient suffers from stiff muscles resulting in jerky or repeated movements.
- Dyskinesia (or dyskinetic) cerebral palsy is characterized by slow and jerky, uncontrollable movements of the feet, legs, hands or arms. The face muscles and tongues become overactive and may cause drooling and making faces. Patients with dyskinesia CP often find it difficult to sit straight or walk.
However, they do not usually have intellectual problems, as in other types.
- Ataxic CP is the type that affects a person’s balance and depth perception. Depth perception is the ability to see things in 3 dimensions, including depth, width, and length, and how far or near is the distance an object.
- Mixed CP shows symptoms that are a combination of or a mix of other types.
Cerebral Palsy of any type is a life-long disorder. There is no cure yet for it, and whether or not it can be cured is unknown. However, treatments for cerebral palsy and rehabilitation can make it easier to perform daily functions.
A patient suffering from dyskinesia cerebral palsy may need one or more types of treatment, depending on the severity of the symptoms and the affected part/s of the body. The treatment differs from one person to another and will depend on the specific needs of each and every patient.
The primary cerebral palsy treatment options are the following:
Medication
CP has different effects on people, and their levels of severity vary. For example, some patients have little or no symptoms, and some others have significant developmental delays, have motor, speech and cognitive issues, and change in muscle tone. Medications such as anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, muscle relaxants, etc. can help those suffering from cerebral palsy control their symptoms that can lead to a more manageable life.
Therapies
Physical therapy or physiotherapy is one of the essential parts of CP treatment. It involves activities that can improve and maintain muscle strength and movement. A physical therapist assists the child to learn skills like walking, sitting, or using a wheelchair.
Cerebral palsy physiotherapy can also help improve balance, reinforce posture, and lessen the possibility of problems in the joints because of uneven gait.
Cerebral palsy rehabilitation often begins during early childhood and involves additional exercises designed to improve muscle control and manage spasticity, thereby helping the child develop self-confidence.
Some other types of therapy are the following:
* Occupational therapy helps the patient learn to do every day activities by controlling movements and coordination to use in dressing, eating, and writing.
* Recreational therapy helps a child with CP to participate in sports and cultural activities.
* Speech and language therapy train the child to speak more clearly; it also helps with swallowing problems and learning new ways to communicate.
Please note that only some therapies are suitable for some cerebral palsy patient.
This is the reason why patients, parents, and caregivers should work together and create a treatment plan that is the best for the patient.
Some children with CP continue working with their Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists through adulthood.
Surgery
A CP patient may need surgery if they have severe symptoms. Surgery is an option when there is a need to lengthen tightly contracted, stiff muscles. The surgeon can also position the legs or arms of the child properly through surgery.
They can also correct a spine that is abnormally curved.
At Mission Walk Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre, you can be sure that your child’s care will be in good hands. We have a team of professional healthcare providers supervised by our physiatrist, a rehabilitation medicine specialist.
Get in touch with us today and speak with any of our staff who is very eager to speak with you and provide information about cerebral palsy and treatments.
