Before a child can be appropriately diagnosed with cerebral palsy, their doctor must first have to look closely at both the child and the mother's medical background to see if there are any known causes of cerebral palsy present in the case. The doctor will very carefully check the baby's motor skills and the reflexes, and then will be tested by a physician, also they will try to determine the Childs hand preference often a child with cerebral palsy will use the hand that is not always the most practical to them due to the fact that depending on the brain damage one side of the body will be much stronger than the other side that is affected.
When cerebral palsy has been diagnosed doctors may go on to do x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, ct scans and MRI, to determine the possible cause or causes of the cp. Here are just some of the signs that may be present in a child with suspected cerebral palsy: Weakness, early hand preference, abnormal postures, irritability, feeding difficulties, delayed or impaired speech, excessive or feeble crying, slow to gain weight, very slow or failure to develop motor skills.
Cerebral Palsy - Treatments and Alternative Approaches
When a child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy they will generally need different types of treatment. Physical therapy - this will help to build up the strength of the Childs muscles working on their walking and keeping their balance. Speech-language pathology-this is to help the child learn to communicate mainly working on trying to teach the child to talk. Occupational therapy-this is to help the child with skills they need for everyday living to give them some independence like feeding themselves and dressing. There are also some alternative therapies that can help to control and manage the condition.
Conductive education - This is to help the child become more independent. Their day will be planned out with physiotherapists, speech therapists and what is called their conductor who will oversee all the tasks to see day to day how the child is progressing and set new more tasks for them, which when achieved will increase the Childs self-esteem. The conductor will form a very close bond with the child, which is vitally important for how successful this treatment will be. The conductor will look at the child not the special need and help to bring out the Childs personality and use their interests to help them learn and achieve more.
The Bobath concept - This concentrates on helping the child physically using play to increase muscle control, improve the Childs posture and reduce stiffness. The therapist involved in this use key points of the body when handling the child at all times. This can greatly improve the Childs mobility.
Patterning - This works on teaching the undamaged parts of the brain to takeover what the damaged part should be doing. This is quite an intense therapy for the child as rhythmic stimulation is used on the limbs for up to eight hours a day to help the child gain complete balance and control of their movements which may distress the child greatly and is very time consuming for the parents.
Lipitor is a drug intended to help lower cholesterol. The... Read More
You've been getting headaches. Finally, you find some medications that... Read More
Chrisopher Reeve has died. But his vision of a "Cure"... Read More
As an ADD coach I am often asked about the... Read More
A generic drug can be defined as an identical, or... Read More
This is a short overview of a questionnaire used for... Read More
The state of Arizona has one of the worst drug... Read More
Heat has long been used to provide temporary relief of... Read More
Stool Softener Laxatives - EmollientsStool softeners and emollients work by... Read More
While the recent Lamisil commercial featuring Digger, a disgusting cartoon... Read More
How many of us have taken aspirin or a similar... Read More
Many natural changes in fingers and toenails come with age.... Read More
In 2003, there where more than 890 million doctor visits... Read More
I remember a friend in college who would blush, sweat,... Read More
With the hum of the election campaign and the debate... Read More
Inflammatory disease of the bowel- regional enteritis (Crohn's disease) and... Read More
A time will come when our children's children will look... Read More
Before a child can be appropriately diagnosed with cerebral palsy,... Read More
Do you suffer from ulcers?If yes, what kind is it... Read More
Q. Why is there so may uninsured people in America?A.... Read More
Recently once taboo subjects like plastic surgery have become acceptable... Read More
DENVER ? Sometimes as Freud once said a good cigar... Read More
"It's a chemical imbalance." I've heard those words so many... Read More
SJS is an allergic reaction to certain medications that can... Read More
Orthotics are devices which fit into the shoe to aid... Read More
By now, you have probably heard of the prescription drug... Read More
Alcohol rehab in California refers to the centers that help... Read More
Pain and Stress. They seem almost to go hand in... Read More
Before you decide to buy Lunesta, make sure you have... Read More
When the legislation was passed for Bush's prescription drug benefit... Read More
Any dialysis patient who has had a brush with high... Read More
If you joints are constantly killing you, here are three... Read More
The police arrive at the accident scene promptly. A driver... Read More
How to find a doctor? There's no magical route to... Read More
While the recent Lamisil commercial featuring Digger, a disgusting cartoon... Read More
Zyprexa is a prescription drug that treats schizophrenia, acute mania... Read More
Thirty percent of human population has a high blood pressure... Read More
When the legislation was passed for Bush's prescription drug benefit... Read More
High blood pressure is on the rise worldwide. But, doctors... Read More
According to Jennifer Lyons' chart, she's just a bad slip... Read More
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for overseeing... Read More
Internet Pharmacies are convenient and quick, but some websites selling... Read More
Equine Cushings disease is caused by a tumor in the... Read More
The treatment of high blood pressure is one of the... Read More
What an oxymoron the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has... Read More
If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),... Read More
Lunesta is a newly released sleeping pill. Marketed as a... Read More
ALS is the disease that took the life of the... Read More
As Pres. Bush was touring the Midwest, shortly before he... Read More
The drug Lorazepan is marketed under the names Alzapam, Ativan,... Read More
This is very sensitive area of your body. Too private.... Read More
You've been getting headaches. Finally, you find some medications that... Read More
Healthcare professionals are under pressure to remember, utilize and absorb... Read More
When diversifying an investment portfolio, one needs to consider investing... Read More
How many of us have taken aspirin or a similar... Read More
Checklist of Treatments for Alzheimer's DiseasePart 1 of 8For approximately... Read More
The physicians conundrum: Everywhere, physicians are contemplating or engaged in... Read More
Individuals who regularly take Relafen (nabumetone) or other anti-inflammatory medications,... Read More
"If you have to deal with chronic neck pain, it... Read More
Last year I told an acquaintance that at the age... Read More
Step One: The Big DecisionOne of the most frustrating things... Read More
A heart attack happens when the blood supply to part... Read More
Whether you're a weekend athlete, or a gardener that overdid... Read More
One of the least appreciated cost-savers in medical treatment is... Read More
I couldn't resist the title's corny riff on the name... Read More
Cold-Eeze is a homeopathic solution to the common cold. It... Read More
Medicine |