Human Disorders

Understanding hemophilia

2009-11-16T03:29:00.000-08:00

Hemophilia is a blood disorder that is linked to the X-chromosome and in some cases it occurs because of genetic mutation. In hemophilia, there is the blood clotting factors do not work as they should and this results in the blood not clotting properly, and even small injuries can be fatal or debilitating at the least.

Usually the mother is the carrier of this genetic disorder and she passes it on to her son. If a man is afflicted with hemophilia, his daughter will be the carrier while his sons will not get the disease. This is because hemophilia is linked to the X-chromosome and the disease is passed from the mother through her X-chromosome.

There are two types of hemophilia -- Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B. Hemophilia A is the most common type of hemophilia and in this type of hemophilia factor VIII, a protein required for the clotting process, is lacking. If you suffer from hemophilia A, small cuts and bruises are not major problems. Hemophilia B is caused by the lack of factor IX, which is a different blood clotting factor and rarer than hemophilia A.

Hemophilia can range from mild to severe. The mild version is not life-threatening.
However, in moderate hemophilia, patients can end up bleeding for reason at all. While severe hemophilia is also characterized by spontaneous bleeding, usually into the joints and muscles. Any form of hemophilia does not mean that the person bleeds excessively. It just means that it is a condition where the bleeding takes longer to stop which can be dangerous especially if bleeding takes place into muscles and joints.

People with hemophilia are usually given the missing blood clotting factors to stop the bleeding. However, in some cases infusion is given on a regular basis to ensure that the clotting factors are optimum levels constantly.

By : Pauline Go

Pancreatic cancer

2009-11-16T03:13:00.000-08:00

Pancreas is responsible for producing insulin which regulates the sugar level in the body. Pancreas also produces pancreatic juice which helps in digestion of food. When abnormal growth of cells (malignant cells) occurs in the pancreas, it is called pancreatic cancer. Like other types of cancer, pancreatic cancer too is life threatening.

Cause of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is again one of those that happen to older people (generally those above the age of 60). Chronic pancreatitis, which is caused by consumption of large amounts of alcohol, can act as a predecessor of pancreatic cancer. Some people tend to associate pancreatic cancer to genes and family history but there doesn’t seem any concrete evidence to suggest one or the other. Generally speaking, pancreatic cancer doesn’t seem to have a relation to family history.
Symptoms and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

Again, none of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer are such so as to give confirmatory indications of pancreatic cancer. Jaundice is another symptom of pancreatic cancer but this too can be caused by other things. So, really, it comes to proper tests and diagnosis to detect pancreatic cancer. The doctors would generally go for a urine test (for bile) and a blood test as the first screening tests for pancreatic cancer. In case these tests suggest pancreatic cancer, there could be need for x-rays and other tests (as deemed fit by the doctor).

Treatment of pancreatic cancer

As is the case with any type of cancer, the chances of survival with pancreatic cancer is governed by how early you are able to catch the symptoms and diagnose pancreatic cancer. The treatment for pancreatic cancer is dependent on the size of the cancer, the stage of cancer and your general health. For pancreatic cancer too, the best treatment is removal of the cancer through surgical procedure (and it’s a major surgery). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are other ways of treating pancreatic cancer.

10 of the more established risk factors for pancreatic cancer

There are several risk factors that are known to affect an individual's probability of developing pancreatic cancer. While some of these cannot be changed, several can be influenced by sensible lifestyle and diet modifications.

Gender - As is the case with most other forms of cancer, males are around 10% more likely to develop cancer of the pancreas than females.
Age - The incidence of pancreatic cancer increases dramatically with age. The disease is extremely rare in people under the age of 50 with under 5% of all cases being diagnosed in this age bracket. Three-quarters of all cases occur in people over the age of sixty.
Race - African Americans are 50% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer in their lifetimes than Caucasians. Native Hawaiians and New Zealand Maoris also have relatively high rates of the disease.
Diabetes - People who have been diagnosed with diabetes are slightly more likely to develop cancer of the pancreas.
Family History - It is thought that around 10% of pancreatic cancers are inherited. A first degree relative who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer increases your chances of developing the disease three-fold.
Smoking - Heavy smokers who have been smoking for at least twenty years are at almost twice the risk of developing pancreatic cancer as non-smokers. Former smokers, light smokers, and tobacco chewers are also at a greater risk.
Obesity - People who are overweight, and in particular those who carry a large amount of abdominal fat are at a greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Exposure to carcinogens - Exposure to certain carcinogenic chemicals such as pesticides, dyes, cadmium, nickel, chromium, and asbestos dust may increase a persons chances of developing the disease.
Physical inactivity - People who engage in physical exercise less than once a week are at a significantly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those who exercise three or more times a week.
Diet - A fatty diet, a diet high in red or processed meat, a high cholesterol diet, and a diet lacking in fresh fruit and vegetables are all thought to be linked to an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

Alcohol Consumption The evidence for a link between pancreatic cancer and alcohol is mixed. Heavy drinking can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) which has been linked to an increased risk of the disease.

By : Karen Lavender and Anthony M Wilson

Lyme disease

2009-11-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

Of the most common tick-borne diseases in the North Hemisphere, Lyme disease is the most prevalent although incidences of it have been reported in Europe and as far away as Russia and China. Lyme disease is essentially caused by no less than three bacterial species belonging to the Borrelia genus of bacteria and is found in black legged ticks, which resemble black dog ticks.

Lyme disease was first detected in the 18Th century in Germany but was not fully acknowledged and documented until almost 1910. In the 1940s, it was realized that the disease responded moderately well to penicillin. Extensive studies were then conducted and more drugs were developed that could counter the disease in its early stages. In rare occasions, the disease can actually be transmitted from mother to their unborn child and in serious cases; this can actually result in a stillborn. Initially there were reports that Ly mes was actually a sexually transmitted disease but this was later proven false. It also used to be thought that the presence of animals such as dogs, cats and farm animals were all that was needed to transmit the disease but later discoveries also show that Lyme disease can be caught by simply being outdoors and not necessarily in close proximity to animals. As we mentioned, it is not a fatal disease and can be treated if detected early.

The disease seems to affect people different and its severity varies from person to person. One of the great strengths of Lyme disease is that it imitates other well-known symptoms meaning it can be quite some time before someone discovers that he or she has contracted the disease. This is because its symptoms resemble that of many other common maladies.

Its symptoms include fatigue, fever, headaches, depression and even skin rashes called erythema. Lyme disease is not fatal in most cases and responds well to powerful antibiotics. However, sometimes the invalid does not know that they have contracted the disease and may ignore the symptoms because they resemble those of a common flu. If ignored, the symptoms can develop and affect the joint, the heart and even the nervous system causing sleep irregularities and severe fatigue. Lyme disease has also been known to result in stiff-necks, lethargy, muscle pains, and joint inflammation. In its latter stages, the disease may become difficult to treat and the patient may need additional care beyond just oral antibiotics.

By : Frank G

Are you at risk for getting alzheimer's disease?

2009-11-14T03:28:00.000-08:00

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition that damages areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior, judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental decline in older adults.

Alzheimer's gets worse over time, but the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people may still be able to function relatively well until late stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer's disease causes severe mental and functional problems and eventually results in death.

Causes

Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer's disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently.

Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause Alzheimer's disease.

In healthy people, this protein can cross the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta protein can't pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta protein accumulates in a person's brain, they become more and more mentally disabled.

Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could be one of the biggest threats to our overall health - especially when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer's. One of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a chemical process called glycation.

Glycation refers to the combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately given the acronym AGE).

The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer's disease.

Risk Factors

Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood, such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors for Alzheimer's, given the role of glycation.

Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of Alzheimer's . Familial Alzheimer's Disease, a rare form of Alzheimer's that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited - so family history is a big risk factor.

The more common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset Alzheimer's. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance pattern is seen.

Relationship to Aluminum

Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer's has now been established.

Additionally, a study looked at the association of Alzheimer's and lifetime exposure to aluminum in antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease.

The same held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to Alzheimer's.

Symptoms and Cures

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can slow the progression of Alzheimer's. Therefore, it is important to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer's and detect the condition early. If caught early, alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer's treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the progression of the disease.

By : William doyle

11 Ways to knowing aspergers syndrome on child

2009-11-14T02:51:00.000-08:00

One form of autism is aspergers. People who suffer from aspergers are higher up in the spectrum. The language skills that these people possess are usually normal. The main problem that they need to face is social interaction. Usually, this problem is first observed when the child starts going to school. A child can either show all the signs relating to aspergers, or just a few. A few of the common symptoms of Aspergers are listed below.

The child may find it difficult talking to other children. Children suffering from this syndrome find it difficult approaching other people and starting conversations.
The child is not able to understand jokes and sarcasm. Children suffering from Aspergers find it difficult to understand tones and voices. They take everything seriously.
The child might use very advanced words in relation to his or her age. These children use words that only adults use.
The child is not able to cope with change in routine. This is especially hard when the child is starting school. Their home routine is suddenly changed. The same applies for breaks during school year. Autistic children often suffer from this problem.
The child does not have many interests. These children focus on a single thing only. For instance if the child takes to puzzles, he or she will only want to do puzzles always. They will learn as much as they can about one particular subject and focus on that only.
They have problem making new friends. Children with Aspergers find it difficult to make new friends because they are unable to relate to other children. Sometimes they try too hard to make a friend and scare other kids away in the process.
They talk a lot. Children suffering from the Aspergers syndrome usually speak a lot. They speak about everything irrespective of its appropriateness. Their conversations are usually one sided. It will seem like they are talking at you rather than to you.
The child uses repetitive movements. These include bouncing back and forth, spinning around etc. These movements calm and soothe the Aspergers child.
They do not make eye contact. Children who suffer from Aspergers usually cannot look at your eyes while speaking. This is found commonly in Autistic children.
They have a problem with movement. They often have a problem coordinating their movements and they lack certain coordination skill. They might trip and stumble very often. They might take longer than usual to learn to ride a bike.
They have a problem speaking. The child might speak too fast without noticing whether the person to whom they are speaking is paying attention. Usually they speak in monotones and their tone does not reflect emotions.

Children suffering from aspergers are the luckiest of those suffering from Autism. Their language skills and intelligence is high. It is relatively easier to teach them social skills to help them get by. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, take him or her to the doctor immediately.

By : Abhishek agarwal

7 Types of autoimmune disease

2009-11-14T00:12:00.000-08:00

Autoimmunity involves the immune system failing to recognize the body's cells and tissues as being a part of the body, which results in the immune system attacking those cells and tissues. Any disease resulting from autoimmunity is called an auto-immune disorder. Below is a summarized list of conditions related to autoimmune disorders :

Crohn's Disease. A chronic inflammatory bowel disease, which is characterized by severe inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. This disorder is typically seen in persons between the ages of 15 and 35, but can also be found in young children and the elderly as well.
Alopecia Areata . An autoimmune disorder that is characterized by hair loss. It is found commonly in men and women and can occur at any age, including childhood.
Multiple Sclerosis. A chronic inflammatory condition which involves the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord. This chronic inflammation causes severe damage to the myelin sheath (covering of the nerves). Symptoms include blurred vision, numbness and paralysis. Mercury toxicity may be a causal factor.
Celiac Disease. A chronic inflammation of the colon that creates an intestinal breakdown due to an allergic reaction to gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in grains such as wheat, barley, oat and rye.
Lupus. A disorder which instead of the body's immune system functioning properly as protection from harmful invaders, it forms antibodies that attack healthy tissues and organs. Symptoms include aching joints, inflammation, swelling, fatigue, fevers and rashes. Lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs, but for others it may cause serious, even life-threatening problems.
Graves Disease. A disorder affecting the thyroid gland. In this disease auto-antibodies bind to the thyroid gland, which increases the production of thyroid hormone, which plays a major role in metabolism. Symptoms include nervousness, diarrhea, insomnia, sweating, and weight loss with increased appetite. More serious symptoms include irregular heart beat, tachycardia (increased heart rate), swelling of eyes and legs. In rare cases, cardiovascular collapse, shock or coma could occur.
Fibromyalgia. This disorder is characterized by aches and pains in the muscles along with chronic fatigue and insomnia. It is estimated between 3 to 6 million people in the US suffer with Fibromyalgia. Ninety percent of them being women.

By: Michelle Newport