Huntington's Disease Awareness Month on May, 2024: how does it effect the person over time?

May, 2024 is Huntington's Disease Awareness Month 2024. Huntington's Disease Awareness zazzle.com. Huntington's

how does it effect the person over time?

Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin S, however, reduces the amount of oxygen inside the cells, distorting their shape. The fragile, sickle-shaped cells deliver less oxygen to the body's tissues, and can break into pieces that disrupt blood flow.

Sickle cell anemia is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait , which means it occurs in someone who has inherited hemoglobin S from both parents. Sickle cell disease is much more common in certain ethnic groups, affecting approximately one out of every 500 African Americans. Someone who inherits hemoglobin S from one parent and normal hemoglobin (A) from the other parent will have sickle cell trait. Someone who inherits hemoglobin S from one parent and another type of abnormal hemoglobin from the other parent will have another form of sickle cell disease, such as thalassemia.

Although sickle cell disease is present at birth, symptoms usually don't occur until after 4 months of age. Sickle cell anemia may become life threatening . Blocked blood vessels and damaged organs can cause acute painful episodes, or "crises."

The first signs of HD may be subtle - a tic here, a twitch there, unexplained fluctuations of mood, an awareness of becoming more clumsy, depressed, or irritable than usual. There is a slurring and slowing of speech. Diagnosis at this early stage, however, is particularly difficult, since symptoms may be indistinguishable from normal variations in mood and behavior or from changes induced by other causes.

The effects of the disease are grim. As the disease progresses, the brain-cell death that is the basis of symptoms continues. As symptoms worsen, patients develop slurred speech, writhing movements known as chorea, and later, dementia.

Eventually, HD patients have difficulty communicating and are confined to a wheelchair or bed. Death usually occurs 15 to 20 years after the first symptoms appear, and is often caused by factors indirectly related to the disease, such as choking, head traumas, or infection.

Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect. It affects approximately one out of every 1,000 newborns in the U.S. More children are affected by this condition than muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined.

Spina bifida is a disabling birth defect of the spinal column resulting from the failure of the spinal column to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. In severe cases, the spinal cord protrudes through the back. The condition may cause varying degrees of paralysis and loss of feeling in the lower limbs, and bowel and bladder complications.

A large percentage of children born with spina bifida have hydrocephalus, the accumulation of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is controlled by a surgical procedure called shunting which relieves the fluid buildup in the brain by redirecting it to the abdominal area.

Spina bifida occulta is a usually harmless form of spina bifida in which there is a small defect or gap in a few of the small bones (vertebrae) that make up the spine. The spinal cord and nerves are usually normal, and most affected individuals have no problems caused by this minor abnormality.

Meningocele is the rarest form of spina bifida in which a cyst or lump consisting of membranes surrounding the spinal cord pokes through the open part of the spine. The spinal cord and the nerves are usually normal. The cyst, which can be as small as a nut or as large as a grapefruit, can be removed by surgery, allowing the baby to develop normally.

Meningomyelocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. In this form, the cyst holds nerve roots of the spinal cord and often the cord itself. Or there may be no cyst, but only a fully exposed section of the spinal cord and nerves. Spinal fluid may leak out, and the area often is covered with sores. Affected babies are at high risk of infection until the back is closed surgically. In spite of surgery, varying degrees of leg paralysis and bladder and bowel control problems remain.

Memorey become low ?

Memorey become low ?

Memory loss can be caused by many things.

>>Alzheimer's disease is an illness which can cause mild to severe memory loss.

>>Parkinson's disease is a genetic defect which can result in memory loss.

>>Huntington's disease is an inherited disease which can result in memory loss.

>>stress related activities are another factor which can result in memory loss.

Symptom Relief

If memory slips are bothering you, there's a lot you can do about them.

>>Deal with depression. Your memory may play tricks if you're feeling blue or listless or are under a lot of stress.

>>Assert your right to a slower pace. There's no need to be apologetic or secretive about the fact that your memory isn't what it used to be.

>>Leave yourself visual reminders. Rain in the forecast for tonight? As soon as you hear about it, go put your umbrella with your briefcase.

>>Choose your cues. Plant cues all around you of things you don't want to forget, says neurologist Louis Kirby, M.D., chief of staff at Thunderbird Samaritan Hospital in Glendale, Arizona. Choose places for your notes that you'll be sure to spot—the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator door, the inside of the front door, the car dashboard.

>>Make the essentials easier. Plan careful ploys for recalling the things you really need to remember.

>>Have one regular place inside the house where you keep your keys, for example. And back yourself up with an outside stash. "I have a friend in New York who keeps an extra set on top of an air conditioner in another apartment building," she says. If you can't find your wallet because you transfer it from one pocket or bag to another, create a wallet terminal—an attractive basket where you empty your pockets or purse as you come in and gather up essential items on the way out.

>>Get the picture. Image association is a powerful tool for memory enhancement.

>>Talk to yourself. Dr. Lapp suggests an inner monologue to help increase your awareness, for example: "I am entering the department store through the men's clothing section" or "I am locking the door now. I am writing the check and putting it in an envelope." Foolish? Not at all. You are doing something consciously to record what you want to remember. You are paying attention, concentrating and getting organized—the basic tools of memory training.

>>Bolster your brain food. If you're low on certain nutrients, your memory may lose its edge. Studies suggest that a daily diet rich in the B vitamin riboflavin, iron and zinc may be helpful. Ready your plate with riboflavin from low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk and low-fat yogurt. To beef up your iron levels, cook potatoes, legumes and acidic foods (like tomato sauce) in an iron skillet. And for memory zest from zinc, enjoy more seafood and meat.

>>Program your memory with an exercise program. A study suggests that aerobic exercise may sharpen your short-term recall. That daily walk or swim heightens your brain's oxygen efficiency and increases glucose metabolism, which may play a role in improving memory. So enjoy regular exercise for healthy memories.

Holidays also on this date Wednesday, May 1, 2024...