Cerebral palsy is a broad term referring to neurological disorders that appears during infancy or early childhood stage and is one of the most common causes of chronic childhood disability, caused due to reasons like, genetic complications, infections, hypoxia, trauma or injury etc. It is a non-progressive disorder, which means that the brain damage does not continue to get worse but the symptoms worsen all the same. Body movement and muscle coordination is affected due to abnormalities and damage caused to the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. Cerebral palsy treatment is often symptomatic which at present aims to improve the quality of life.
Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
Conventional, Complementary and alternative medical methods are used to treat Cerebral Palsy disorders.
- Medications: Medicines used in treatment for Cerebral palsy reduces the muscular abnormalities, improves the functional abilities,inhibits abnormal tone and other cerebral palsy symptoms. Doctors may recommend injections of Onabotulinum Toxin a (BOTOX) and muscle relaxants like diazepam (Valium), dantrolene (Dantrium) and baclofen (Gablofen) depending on the complexity of the disorder.
- Therapies and assistive Technologies: A variety of non-drug therapies are used for the treatment of Cerebral Palsy symptoms –
- Physiotherapy: This treatment for cerebral palsy help in developing strength and coordination in the muscles. It aims to develop normal motor milestones.
- Occupational Therapy: Alternative strategies and adaptive equipment to make the child adapt to the limitations and live independently.
- Speech and Language Therapy: Helps children with speech and eating problems
- Behavioral Therapy: Foster communication, social and peer interaction in the child
- Surgical Procedures: Surgery is a suggested treatment for cerebral palsy in case of severe muscle deformities
When the child is diagnosed with disabilities, it is a challenge for the child as well as for the entire family. Coping and support strategies for the family and the child become a part of treatment for Cerebral palsy.
- Regenerative Medicines: Treatment of Cerebral palsy using regenerative medicines has paved a way to through various obstacles faced to treat the disorder with conviction. The methodology involves the use of tissue engineering and molecular biology to repair, regenerate and replace damaged Human cells, tissues and organs to reestablish the normal functioning. In the horizon of 21st century, Regenerative medicine brings in a ray of hope for treatment of disorders like cerebral palsy. The discovery of stem cell therapy is a revolution in modern medicine.
Modern and effective treatment of Cerebral palsy using regenerative Medicine
Stem Cell therapy is a potential treatment for Cerebral palsy available today, whereby it is possible to repair the damaged brain tissue. At Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute, great improvements are seen in the patients, who have been administered stem cell therapy as the treatment for cerebral palsy.The approachof NeuroGen BSI is to use autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) for transplantation. Stem cells obtained from various sources can be used for stem cell therapy. The transplanted stem cells have the ability migrate to affected areas, release several tropical factors, that decrease or help repair the damage of the affected brain tissue. The regenerative medical treatment for cerebral palsy using such stem cell intervention restores activity in the affected areas thereby translating into clinical improvements.
The treatment of Cerebral Palsy using autologous stem cells is safe, ethical and effective, showing functional and clinical improvement in the child. This modern treatment of cerebral palsy has brought an end to the endless worries and care of parenthood and have made the child independent with an improved quality of life.
