Cerebral Palsy Treatment by Chinese Medicine: Life Expectancy of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy can be a debilitating illness, and it affects millions of people worldwide, young and old. In America, it is estimated that more than 760,000 people have cerebral palsy. Around 10,000 infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year. With many people affected by cerebral palsy, it is possible that you may know someone with the condition, someone you may care for. It is important to remember that cerebral palsy life expectancy can be very positive. Read on to know more details.
Most children that are affected by the condition can live 30 to 70 years. With proper management, children with cerebral palsy can grow up peacefully and lead a rather long, normal, happy life. This means visits to doctors, medications, therapies and possibly surgeries.
If the condition is severe, or if the condition is not managed properly, life span will be shortened. This is why it is essential to ensure proper management of the disease. Other factors that can affect lifespan include:
Level of visual impairment
Level of impaired movement
Severity of eating difficulties
Presence of seizure
Respiratory function
How to Extend Cerebral Palsy Life Expectancy
As mentioned above, proper management of cerebral palsy can help extend life span. Below is information that will help you manage the condition properly:
1. A Professional Team
To ensure proper management of cerebral palsy, it is important to find the right health care professionals. The following is some professionals you may need:
Pediatric neurologists who are trained in treating infants with neurological (brain and nervous system) disorders;
Orthopedic surgeons who are trained in the treatment of muscle and bone disorders;
Pediatrician who help plan and oversee the treatment;
Other areas of specialty worth noting are mental health specialists, speech-language pathologists and physical therapists, all of which can help in treatment of cerebral palsy.
2. Medication
Before consuming any medication, it is important to speak with your health care provider to assess the risk and potential effectiveness of the drugs. The medication prescribed varies depending on whether the condition is isolated (only in certain muscles), or generalized (affecting the entire body). Some medications that may be prescribed are listed below:
OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox): If the condition is isolated, your health care professional may suggest injecting Botox directly to the nerve, the muscle or both. This will be required once every three months or so. Side effects of this treatment include weakness, bruising, pain, possibly difficulty breathing and/or swallowing.

Oral Muscle Relaxants: If the condition is generalized, then a treatment of oral muscle relaxants, such as Valium (diazepam), Dantrium (dantrolene) and/or Gablofen (baclofen), may be suggested by your health care professional. These drugs help relax stiff muscles. Side effects include the risk of developing a dependency, sleepiness and nausea.

Life Expectancies by Age, Sex, and Country of Cerebral Palsy