Know About Different Types And Levels Of Cerebral Palsy Brain Disorder

Cerebral palsy is basically a group of disorders that is related to different muscles. It affects various parts of the body and can cause loss of sensation and vision etc. It usually happens to children and thus it needs to diagnosed and watched very carefully in order to treat it. If right treatment is not given in time, then it can cause permanent damage to the nerve tissue and result to various health problems. Cerebral palsy has different types and levels in which it is categorised. Today we will discuss about different types of this brain disorder with help of a paediatrician, Dr. Anusha Goel from Ivory Hospital, Greater Noida.

5 Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are different types of brain disorders that fall under the category of cerebral palsy. Depending on the conditions, it is categorised into these-

1. Spastic Cerebral Palsy

It you are aware of spasms, you know that spasms are quite painful and remain in the body for long duration. Spastic cerebral palsy is a condition in which the muscle of the person gets stiff and reflexes get more exaggerated. It becomes really difficult for the child to walk or do any activity in this condition. 

This is a kind of muscle disorder or walking abnormalities. It is also most common type of cerebral palsy in children. Muscles of children affected by this disease become severely weak and they may need a wheel chair or some kind of support from others.

2. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy

This type of cerebral palsy affects more adults than other people. People having dyskinetic cerebral palsy have trouble controlling their body movements. This impacts most of the major functions including arms, legs and hands. Many people get their speech affected and rest of them have different problems. 

This can be treated with help of speech therapy and some other therapeutic methods. It takes time for the person to get through this disorder. It may not be treated if immediate attention is not given.

3. Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy

In condition of Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy, the muscle tone of the person gets affected and this may result to weak muscles and thin legs. The muscles are unable to carry out their functions because of which a person is unable to walk, stand, or do any activity that involves putting pressure on the leg muscles. Most of the people having this brain disorder tend to appear floppy and have poor reflexes. It can become more difficult for them as they grow old and become totally disabled with time if proper treatment is not given to them.

4. Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

This is not a common condition and only happens to few people. This type of brain disorder is characterised by slowing down of the muscle movements. This is the only cerebral palsy that makes voluntary muscles disorganised and clumsy. In children, they are unable to pick things, or have tendency to fall more often. Their motor reflexes do not work well and hence it causes this problem. Ataxic cerebral palsy also affects fine motor functions in children which become worse with growing age. This is a very problematic condition in which most people get dependent on other people for most of their work functions. 

5. Mixed Cerebral Palsy

Some people tend to have combination of symptoms suffering from different types of cerebral palsy. This is a strange condition because you may not know what factors to work on. Therapies are also not very effective in treating person with this condition. In most conditions, children or grown up men experience symptoms of both spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

In most conditions, children or grown up men experience symptoms of both spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy.

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Classification of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy can be classified into different categories depending on the gross motor functions performed by the person. There are various factors in which cerebral palsy are classified, these factors are important to determine the severity of the case.

The factors include-

• Ability of the person to sit
• Movement available or in the capacity of the person
• Use of adaptive technology
• How independent a person can is

Levels of Cerebral palsy

Level 1- In this condition of cerebral palsy, the person has limited time and ability to walk. This is a common problem that occurs in people suffering from cerebral palsy.

Level 2- A person going through second level of cerebral palsy can walk to some extent but it cannot jump or run. The person has certain limitations and thus it becomes difficult for different people to move a certain way.

Level 3- A person going through level 3 of cerebral palsy can just sit but that also needs a bit of support. Cerebral palsy in stage 3 can be very assistive and a person may have problem walking as well. He may need support of stick, walker or any other device to walk properly. 

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Level 4- This is the stage in which a person cannot walk or sit without assistance. He needs support of different assisted devices in order to move from one place to another. However in this condition or level, a person may be able to move with the assistance such as wheelchair. This is because this condition is when a person is old enough to know controls.

Level 5- Fifth level of cerebral palsy is the time where a person in even unable to move his/ her head and neck by their own. This is a very complicated condition and the person is not able to perform any activity, it makes a person helpless and senseless. Cerebral palsy may need a permanent wheel chair and a person to take care of all their needs.

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