The cerebrum refers to the major component of the brain that is divided into sections that manage vision, hearing, personality and movement. An intricate circulatory system called the Circle of Willis supplies the brain with blood and nutrients. The brain can sustain damaged through infections or injuries and the brain's blood vessels can become obstructed. Cerebral diseases can be highly debilitating.
Cerebral Palsy
MedlinePlus says that cerebral palsy is a medical condition that affects the ability to move, hear, learn and see. Specific symptoms of cerebral palsy include tight muscles, scissor-like walking, walking on the toes, joint tightness and muscle weakness. Cerebral palsy can also cause tremors, a lack of coordination, seizures, trouble speaking or hearing, trouble swallowing and constipation. Abnormal breathing, delayed growth, drooling and urinary incontinence are cerebral palsy's other side effects.
MedlinePlus says that cerebral palsy can be due to injuries that occur within the first 2 years of life. Low levels of oxygen (hypoxia), a head injury, bleeding in the brain, infections during pregnancy (rubella), brain infections and severe jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) contribute to cerebral palsy.
Unfortunately, no cure exists for cerebral palsy. Rather, treatment involves managing the symptoms with walking aids, wheelchairs, glasses, hearing aids and muscle or bone braces, says MedlinePlus. Physical therapy or occupational therapy can be utilized to strengthen muscles and adapt to the environment, respectively. For example, physical therapists will use various exercise techniques to strengthen the joints and muscles while occupational therapists will help cerebral palsy sufferers with such daily activities as bathing and cooking. Medications such as anticonvulsants to manage seizures, botulism toxin to help with drooling and muscle relaxants to manage tremors can be prescribed. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary to insert a feeding tube or manage joint stiffness.
Stroke
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is a medical problem in which the blood vessels in the brain bleed or become blocked.
MedlinePlus says that specific stroke symptoms include a severe headache that can suddenly appear or gets worse over time. Sometimes this headache can get worse with bending, straining or coughing. A stroke can also lead to muscle paralysis on one side of the body, numbness or tingling, confusion, trouble swallowing, a loss of balance, dizziness and a lack of control of the bladder and bowels. In some cases, a stroke can lead to personality changes, a loss of memory and double vision.
Treatment involves using clot-busting drugs such as tissue plasminogen activator and the blood thinners heparin and warfarin to prevent blood clots from forming. Surgery may be necessary to remove any blood in the brain. Also, the obstructed blood vessel can be opened using a technique called angiography. Long-term treatment involves utilizing physical, occupational and speech therapy to gain normal use of the body.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is a condition that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, says the Mayo Clinic. The frontal region controls behavior and personality while the temporal lobe controls hearing and memory.
Symptoms include behavioral changes such as apathy and euphoria, speech problems and muscle spasms, tremors or muscle weakness.
No cure exists, but frontotemporal dementia can be managed with antidepressant and antipsychotic medications.
