Cerebral Palsy Secondary Conditions

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that hampers body movement and muscle coordination. CP typically develops from fetal damage or birth complications. Brain damage is what causes the difficulties associated with CP. The severity of the difficulties is variable to the extent of brain damage. Overall, cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder. However, the cerebral palsy population is more susceptible to developing secondary conditions. Below are some of the conditions that are associated with CP.

Pica- Pica is a condition in which the individual is constantly eating non-food substances. A cerebral palsy patient who is mentally challenged is more likely to have pica since the individual will have trouble differentiating between food and non-food substances. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, two-thirds of the CP population is mentally challenged. Behavioral therapy can help patients develop the skills needed to differentiate between food and non-food substances.

Faster Aging Organs- The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates someone with cerebral palsy uses three to five times more energy than the average person when maneuvering around. This causes the body's organs, such as the heart and lungs, to work harder which in return makes the organs age quicker. By the time someone with CP is in his 40s he could be dealing with health conditions normally found in 60 year olds. People with cerebral palsy should regularly visit the doctor in order to properly monitor health.

Arthritis- Someone with cerebral palsy can get arthritis as early as her 30s. The amount of physical therapy in childhood is a major contributing factor to arthritis. The more physical therapy the person had the more likely she is to experience arthritis at an earlier age.

Depression- Depression is more common in the CP adult population. Depression is usually caused by having to deal with health conditions decades before other people in the same generation have to. A major sign of depression is social isolation from others. A big reason an adult with CP develops depression is he feels like he can't relate with his peers. Addressing this concern is an essential part in treating depression in cerebral palsy patients.

SOURCES
National Institute of Neurological Disorders
Cerebral Palsy Law Blog