*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. It's caused by a problem with the brain that develops before, during or soon after birth.

Symptoms of cerebral palsy

The symptoms of cerebral palsy are not usually obvious just after a baby is born. They normally become noticeable from an early age.

Symptoms can include:

delays in reaching development milestones - for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
seeming too stiff or too floppy
weak arms or legs
fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements
random, uncontrolled movements
walking on tiptoes
a range of other problems - such as swallowing problems, speaking problems, vision problems and learning disabilities

The severity of symptoms can vary significantly. Some people only have minor problems, while others may be severely disabled.

When to get medical advice

Speak to your health visitor or a GP if you have any concerns about your child's health or development.

Symptoms like those of cerebral palsy can have a number of different causes and are not necessarily a sign of anything serious.

Your child may be referred to specialists in child development who can do some checks and tests.

Causes of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy can happen if a baby's brain does not develop normally while they're in the womb, or is damaged during or soon after birth.

Causes of cerebral palsy include:

bleeding in the baby's brain or reduced blood and oxygen supply to their brain
an infection caught during pregnancy
the brain temporarily not getting enough oxygen (asphyxiation) during a difficult birth
meningitis
a serious head injury

But in many cases, the exact cause is not clear.

Treatments for cerebral palsy

There's currently no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatments are available to help people with the condition be as active and independent as possible.

Treatments include:

physiotherapy - techniques such as exercise and stretching to help maintain physical ability and hopefully improve movement problems
speech therapy to help with speech and communication, and swallowing difficulties
occupational therapy - where a therapist identifies problems that you or your child have carrying out everyday tasks, and suggests ways to make these easier
medicine for muscle stiffness and other difficulties
in some cases, surgery to treat movement or growth problems

A team of healthcare professionals will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that meets your or your child's needs.

Outlook for cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy affects each person differently and it can be difficult to predict what the outlook will be for you or your child.

Generally speaking:

most children live into adult life and some can live for many decades
the condition may limit your child's activities and independence, although many people go on to lead full, independent lives
many children go to a mainstream school, but some may have special educational needs and benefit from attending a special school
the original problem with the brain does not get worse over time, but the condition can put a lot of strain on the body and cause problems, such as painful joints, in later life
the daily challenges of living with cerebral palsy can be difficult to cope with, which can lead to problems such as clinical depression in some people

Speak to your care team about the likely effects of cerebral palsy on you or your child.

Help and support

If you or your child have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may find it useful to contact a support group for information and advice.

Scope is the main UK charity for people with cerebral palsy and their families. They offer:

an online community
a free telephone helpline: 0808 800 3333 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm)
an email helpline: helpline@scope.org.uk

Find out more about:

Your care team may also be able to provide details of support groups in your local area.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.