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Cerebral Palsy

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What is Cerebral palsy?

What is Cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological condition that usually affects the way you move, maintain balance and posture. It is caused by the damage to the developing brain, either during the pregnancy or shortly after birth.

CP symptoms start early in childhood and can be different for each person. 

  • Exaggerated reflexes
  • Floppy or stiff muscles
  • Uncontrollable movements
  • Irregular posture
  • Unsteady walk

 

CP causes movement disorders by disrupting muscle movement control. It can affect nearby brain areas and their functions, but not consistently. A person having CP doesn’t necessarily mean they have an intellectual disability.
 

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Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Exploring the Underlying Causes of Cerebral Palsy

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Parts of the brain responsible for movement control are damaged in cerebral palsy. Other issues may arise due to the potential impact of the damage beyond this area. There’s usually more than one thing causing these damages. This damage can occur at various times, such as before, during, and after birth. Damage that occurs before birth accounts for around 80% of the causes. It accounts for approximately 10% of causes after birth.

Damage to the white matter of the brain

The white matter sends signals throughout the brain and body and damage to this can disrupt the movement signals. The fetus's white matter is particularly vulnerable to injury from 26 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, but harm can occur at any stage.

Abnormal brain development

Infections, fever, trauma or gene mutation can disrupt the growth of the brain leading to problems with signal transmission.

Bleeding in the brain

Brain bleeding is often caused by strokes in foetuses. Brain damage occurs when blood vessels in the brain are blocked or broken, causing strokes. Bleeding in the brain can be caused by conditions like blood clotting problems, abnormal blood vessels, heart defects, and sickle cell disease.

Lack of oxygen in the brain

Insufficient oxygen over an extended period can harm the brain. Oxygen flow to the brain can be hindered by low maternal blood pressure, a torn uterus, placenta detachment, umbilical cord complications, or severe infant head trauma during delivery.
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Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

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The symptoms of cerebral palsy can differ significantly. Cerebral palsy can impact the entire body in certain individuals. Some individuals may experience symptoms in just a few limbs or on one side of their body. Common signs include problems with coordination and movement, speech and swallowing, developmental delays and other issues.
Movement and coordination

Movement and coordination

Cerebral palsy is associated with several movement conditions, including spasticity (stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes), rigidity (stiff muscles with regular reflexes), and ataxia (lack of balance and muscle coordination). Additional symptoms consist of changes in muscle tone, involuntary jerky movements, slow writhing motions, favouring one side of the body, and difficulties with walking.
Speech and eating

Speech and eating

Speech and eating issues have a significant impact on daily life. Speech delays can hinder communication skills, causing frustration and social challenges. Speaking troubles impact communication clarity. Nutritional deficiencies and eating difficulties can arise from problems with sucking, chewing, or eating. Moreover, excessive salivation or trouble swallowing can increase the chance of aspiration and respiratory issues.
Development

Development

Children with cerebral palsy may exhibit various developmental symptoms, including delays in motor skill milestones like sitting up or crawling, learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and delayed growth leading to smaller-than-expected size.
Other symptoms

Other symptoms

Neurological symptoms, such as seizures and sensory impairments, can be symptoms of brain damage. Sensory disruptions, as well as bladder and bowel problems, may also occur, along with mental health difficulties such as emotional and behavioural concerns. Conditions such as cerebral palsy often come with these symptoms, showing how neurological damage affects overall well-being.
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Exploring Treatment Options for Cerebral Palsy

Ayurveda offers numerous options for managing cerebral palsy, including internal medication and panchakarma therapies. The goal of CP treatment is to maximise functional capacity and competence that fits the patient's developmental stage. Treatments to lower vata, such as bahya-abhyanthara sneha (internal & external oleation therapy), vasthi (medicated enema), and therapies to nourish the brain, are necessary because the traditional symptoms of CP fall within the spectrum of vata vyadhi. Ayurveda can effectively treat medical conditions related to Cerebral Palsy such as tooth decay, drooling saliva, hearing loss, visual impairment, and speech difficulties. Apart from the treatments such as bahya abhyanthara sneha and vasthi, treatment such as sirodhara, siro pichu or siro vasthi are usually found to be helpful in sleep disorders, behavioral issues and together with the panchakarma treatments can lessen spasticity and also improve the quality of life.

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Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayur Bethaniya for Ayurvedic Treatment for Cerebral Palsy in Kerala

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Ayurvedic treatment for Cerebral Palsy uses therapeutic techniques to help children with their motor skills so they can live better, longer lives. The overall objective of the treatment method is to maximise the child’s potential for improved physical, mental, and social development as well as independence. The Ayurvedic treatment involves a multifaceted approach that includes nutrition, daily routine, herbal medicine consumption, and therapies that aim to heal ailments (doshas) at the systemic and cortex/brain levels. Resolving the metabolic imbalances (Pitta and Vata dosha) that cause these diseases simultaneously balances one’s metabolism and reduces sensory overload. This lessens spasticity and aids in the brain’s regeneration of new cells.

Patients with cerebral palsy may see a significant improvement in their quality of life while receiving Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapy when combined with the proper internal medication. It is a well-known fact that taking internal medicine, in addition to Panchakarma treatments, yields better results than taking oral medicine alone. Physiotherapy and Ayurvedic treatments are used in the treatment of cerebral palsy at Ayur Bethaniya Ayurveda Hospital. In addition to Abhyanga swedam, Nasyam, Pichu, Shirodhara, Pizhichil, Njavara or mamsakizhi, Vasti, and herbal decoctions, Ayurvedic treatments include a unique Panchakarma therapy programme. The severity of the condition will determine how long therapy takes, and repetitions are necessary to provide the affected child with long-term support along with substantial benefits. Make an appointment right now to learn more about the options for treating cerebral palsy.

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Integrated Treatment

Discover the Benefits of Integrated Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

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Kaumarabhritya is the name of a distinct subset of Ayurvedic clinical speciality that deals with child health care. Ayurvedic medicine describes a wide range of diseases, including cerebral palsy (CP), which is one of the numerous ailments for which there are causal factors associated with etiopathology. These diseases are discussed in many books. Phakka (a type of nutritional disorder), Pangulya (locomotor disorder), mukatva (dumbness), jadatva (mental disorder), paksaghata (hemiparesis), paksavadha (hemiplegia), etc. are a few conditions that are found to overlap with symptoms of cerebral palsy (CP). According to Ayurvedic classics, disruption of bodily constitution and organ damage during critical stages can lead to symptoms like loss of activity, speech issues, weakness, and mental derangement due to impaired motor and sensory functions. Ayurveda offers an integrated approach to treating Cerebral Palsy.
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Panchakarma

Numerous panchakarma techniques, such as the medicated powder massage (Udwartana), the full body massage (Sarvaanga abhyanga) with medicated oil, the steam baths (Baashpa & Naadi sweda), the oil-based bolus preparation known as Shashtika shali pinda sweda (SSPS), the application of oil to the forehead (Shirodhara), and the oil and decoction enemas (Vasti) have been found to be effective in the treatment of cerebral palsy.

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Ayurvedic Herbs

Some Ayurvedic herbs, such as Ashwagandha, Brahmi, and Vacha, are thought to enhance brain function and enhance nerve transmission. Typically, these herbs are included in a customised Ayurvedic diet plan for optimal balance.

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Yoga and Pranayama

Yoga and pranayama (breathing exercises) are strongly recommended by Ayurveda for the multitude of benefits they provide to both the body and mind. By engaging in physical activity, individuals can enhance their muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and experience an increased sense of inner peace and mental clarity.

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Physiotherapy

Physical therapy is a crucial initial treatment for cerebral palsy, enhancing motor skills and preventing worsening movement issues. It involves exercises for strength and flexibility, heat therapy, massages, and specialised equipment. The effectiveness depends on the severity and type of the condition. Milder cases may only require some therapy, while severe cases may require it alongside other treatments or medications. Early intervention maximizes improvement chances.

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Prevention

Discover Essential Tips for Preventing Cerebral Palsy

While it may not always be possible to prevent cerebral palsy, there are measures you can take to lower the chances. If you are currently pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, follow these guidelines to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Getting prenatal care, or ayurvedic treatments for a healthy conception from an Ayurvedic specialist can help lower health risks for you and your baby.
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Get vaccinated

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Avoid exposure to infections or viruses

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Manage a healthy lifestyle

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Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs

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Seek early and continuous prenatal care