What does CP mean in MEDICAL

Cerebral Palsy is a group of disorders that affect body movement, muscle coordination and posture. It is usually caused by brain damage that occurs before or at birth.

The cause of cerebral palsy differs from one person to another; however, it can often be attributed to problems in utero such as prematurity, infection, oxygen deprivation or trauma during delivery. It may also be caused by an injury to the brain during the first few years of life.

Yes, there are several different types of cerebral palsy including spastic cerebral palsy, dyskinetic cerebral palsy and ataxic cerebral palsy. Spastic CP is the most common type, making up more than 80 percent of cases. It affects movements on one side or both sides of the body due to muscle tightness or stiffness. Dyskinetic CP involves difficulty with fine motor skills and involuntary movements such as twitches or jerks in arms and legs. Ataxic CP impacts balance and depth perception due to issues with coordination and equilibrium.

In some cases, it does get worse over time as individuals age; for example, children with spastic CP may experience increased stiffness in their joints as they get older which leads to further disability. However, not all people with CP experience worsening symptoms.

Yes! There are many treatments available such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and medications that can help improve function and reduce symptoms associated with CP.