DISABILITIES

CAUSES & SYMPTOMS

THE UNAVOIDABLE

The following disabilities can be detected since birth and controlled/reduced. In Tororo, like in many African villages, poverty and the bad healthcare system make these disabilities and the diseases that cause them invisible, they are not detected on time and can't be prevented either. Consequently, they become severe and serious disabilities that can't be cured.

The main causes of these disabilities are malaria, problems during pregnancy or delivery, for instance a malnourished mom, a woman who gets malaria during pregnancy or an unsupervised delivery that complicates. Also the poor health system, wars (lost mines cause amputations and deaths) and others.

Cerebral Palsy

The main disease of Agururu P.School's children

ASPACE's definition: Cerebral palsy is a disability caused by an injury on the brain that affects the mobility and the posture of the user, limiting its activity. It can come alongside a sensorial and intellectual disability, that is why it is called a multi-disability. Cerebral palsy is a frequent cause of disabilities in children. One in 500 people have cerebral palsy.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly. It falls under the broader category of neural tube defects. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them.

Normally, the neural tube forms early in pregnancy, and it closes by the 28th day after conception. In babies with spina bifida, a portion of the neural tube fails to develop or close properly, causing defects in the spinal cord and in the bones of the spine.

Spina bifida can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of defect, size, location and complications. When early treatment for spina bifida is necessary, it's done surgically, although such treatment doesn't always completely resolve the problem. It can lead to learning difficulties, urinary and intestinal problems or hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in the brain.

Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the ventricles (fluid-containing cavities) of the brain and may increase pressure within the head. Although hydrocephalus is often described as "water on the brain," the "water" is actually CSF, a clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Hydrocephaly can cause permanent brain damage and physical and mental development problems. If it is not treated, it can lead to death. In many cases, spina bifida is the cause of hydrocephalus.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain activity becomes abnormal, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.Anyone can develop epilepsy.Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Having a single seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.

Because epilepsy is caused by abnormal activity in the brain, seizures can affect any process your brain coordinates. Seizure signs and symptoms may include:

Temporary confusion
A staring spell
Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
Loss of consciousness or awareness
Psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety or deja vu