1. Identify the Specific Traits of Mixed Cerebral Palsy
Mixed cerebral palsy is often more difficult to diagnose and can be mistaken for other neurological conditions such as ataxia. With mixed cerebral palsy, adjacent muscle groups can be alternately too tight and too undeveloped, causing spastic movements. If you have been diagnosed with one of the many forms of mixed cerebral palsy, you may have difficulty with completing basic physical movements, such as changing your body position and grasping and holding onto objects with your hands. To cope with this impairment, be patient and work diligently with your doctor or health care team.
2. Stay Healthy and fit
Eating right and exercising regularly is one of the best ways to cope with the challenges of mixed cerebral palsy. By developing muscle tone, you will learn how to control your bodily movements in a more predictable manner. A high-fiber, organic diet will also help you to keep the weight off and remain limber, agile and light on your feet. Obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease can result from poor diet and lack of exercise, and these risks can be magnified when applied to people with disabilities.
3. Ensure Your Safety at all Times
The sudden jerky movements caused by mixed cerebral palsy can occasionally cause injury. If you suffer from mixed cerebral palsy, make your environment as safe as possible. Staircases, ramps, sharp objects and other physical obstacles can be hazardous to your health, so it's important to keep your environment safe and free from clutter at all times.
4. Avoid Stress to Reduce Symptoms
Surprisingly, the symptoms of mixed cerebral palsy disappear during sleep. Conversely, sudden spastic movements, drooling, poor speech patterns, grimacing and tongue thrusting can also be aggravated by stressful situations. The secret to coping with the symptoms of mixed cerebral palsy is to reduce these stress factors as much as possible. Deep breathing exercises may work wonders when it comes to relaxing and alleviating these behaviors. Other methods for reducing stress include exercising regularly, getting enough sleep every night and avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and sugar.
