One of the most rare skin diseases is considered to be Harlequin Ichthyosis (HI), also known as Harlequin Baby Syndrome or Ichthyosis Fetalis, due to the fact that children who have the disease are most of the times born prematurely. Harlequin Ichthyosis is a very rare genetic disease. Mutation of ABC 12 gene, which is responsible for normal skin growth, leads to the HI. Children born with Harlequin Ichthyosis are covered with a thick layer of skin, deeply cracked that forms diamond-shaped plates. Because of the abnormal skin growth face of a child could be completely deformed, including eyelids, ears, nose and mouth. Skin around mouth gets so thick that pulls the lips all the way up and down, forming a “clown smile”. This association gives the name of the disease – “Harlequin” – clown; the word “Ichthyosis” means fish in Greek that associates with skin of a child as a scale of fish. Abnormal skin structure restricts movement of the arm, legs and even chest that can cause respiratory problems and breathing difficulties.

Harlequin Ichthyosis is not a contagious disease; it is genetically inherited with an autosomal recessive gene ABC 12. It means that both parent must be the carriers of the gene and pass it on to a child. If a child doesn’t get the disease he or she still is going to be a carrier, because for the HI to appear a child must have two copies of the gene inherited from his parents.

The first official case of Harlequin Ichthyosis was registered in 1983, after conducted biopsy of the fetal skin. Today due to contemporary technologies these kinds of tests can be provided with the electron microscope in the early stage of the second trimester of pregnancy. There are approximately 100 cases of Harlequin Ichthyosis registered after 1983. A child born with Harlequin Ichthyosis requires immediate skin and eyes treatment in order to protect them form further environmental damage. Eyes must be covered with special saline tissue or artificial tears to prevent from over drying. Skin as well, must be covered with saline dressings to prevent diamond shaped cracks from becoming deeper. Further treatment of a newborn includes constant application of petroleum jelly to help maintain skin in normal moist state, prevent from dehydration, life threatening infections and thickening of the skin that might cause respiration problems because of the chest constriction.

The life expectancy of a newborn with Harlequin ichthyosis is very low. Most of the infants don’t survive the first two weeks. However, with contemporary technology, specialists manage to improve the system of taking care of the infants diagnosed with HI. There are unique cases when children lived till the age of 8 years.

Genetic disorders are considered to be ones of the most dangerous. It is extremely hard to foresee possible mutations of the gene. Harlequin Ichthyosis is a very rare and serious condition of newborns, that causes extreme physical pain for a child born with the disease, and emotional pain for parents who know, that the chance of survival are extremely low, when the chances of having next child with the same condition are extremely high, because of the parents’ genotype. In these cases, parents of the child are supposed to be given all the possible support and even more important, information about the disease. Today Harlequin Ichthyosis cannot be treated.

Hopefully, in future with the experience of past generations, specialists will be able to find a method to prevent and cure this life threatening disease.

References
Layton, J. “A Review of Harlequin Ichthyosis.” CINAHL. EBSCOhost, 10 June 2005. Web. <http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.stlcc.edu

http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ichthyosis-harlequin-type

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/harlequin-ichthyosis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21339420

Smoking one cigarette is not going to kill you. In fact, a few minutes after you smoke your first one, a light headed whimsical feeling is sure to make you feel a little happy. This is because there are drugs inside that cigarette designed to do just that. Nicotine is a drug that causes rapid release of dopamine, your body’s natural “pleasure chemical”(Pubmed). This effect is highly addictive, however it is un-natural. Your body builds up a tolerance to the nicotine’s effect thus requiring more of the drug to produce the same effect. That doesn’t sound too bad right? Well let’s take a look at something that does happen with each puff of a cigarette, even your very first one.

Your trachea, nasal passages and sinuses are lined with something called micro villi (MayoClinc). These villi are little tiny hairs or fingers that beat upwards every second of everyday. Their purpose is to help clear your respiratory passages of contaminants and debris that you inhale. Normal air is full of pollutants and dusts that you can’t even see. Your body is very good at cleaning this out of your lungs. However, many of the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke paralyze these villi taking away their ability to clear your lungs (MayoClinic). This often lead to what is known as a smoker’s cough. Once the paralytic effect of the chemicals starts to wear off the villi come back to life and start pushing up all the junk that has been collecting in their absence. This generally causes the smoker to start a cough that increases in severity. Its at this time that every smoker lights one up and the cough goes away. This is because those villi are re-paralyzed and are no longer pushing junk up. So if a smoker ever says to you they cough less when they smoke, this is why.
Smoking of course has many long term risk factors. Lung cancer is usually the first thing you think of smoking causing. It is true that lung cancer and pulmonary nodules are the most common type of cancer, however, not all people with lung cancer smoke (Pubmed.gove/Coronary).

Smoking is not a guarantee that you will get lung cancer. It just greatly increases your chances. Smoking does however come with a 99.9% guarantee of causing you to develop cardiovascular disease. This often leads to congestive heart failure. When you add this poor inability of your body to circulate oxygenated nutrient rich blood throughout your body to the chronic changes to your lung’s airways directly caused by smoking, you’ll find that breathing and any physical activity becomes very difficult. Those are just a few long term effects of smoking without even touching the psychological long term effects of the addiction.

There is hope though. There are literally hundreds of smoking cessation programs out there that will help teach you about kicking the habit and building proper support groups. The easiest way to avoid all of this is by simply never starting. According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly 41% of people who smoke over the age of 25 lack any education past high school. I think this makes it very apparent that education is the key to beating this addiction, and monumentally important to ever preventing it. Being aware of the dangers of cigarette smoke is the only way you will ever be able to stop smoking if you’re addicted, and it’s one of the only deterrents you will ever have to keep you from starting. Your life is so much more valuable than those cigarettes ever will be. You owe it to yourself, friends, and family to have the knowledge necessary to just not smoke. It doesn’t have to be easier said than done. That is your choice.

Works Cited
Mayo Clinic. Anatomy of nicotine addiction. © 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). April 10,2012.

Pubmed.govhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20550504. April 10,2012

Pubmed.gov Coronary Artery IntrerventionSt. Louis County Library. April 10, 2012

Type I is the most common type of Chiari Malformation and will most likely go unnoticed until individuals are adults or close to it and results in the base of the skull and upper spinal area not being formed correctly. Type II is a congenital abnormality where the brain starts to shift through the foramen magnum. The type II Chiari Malformation is more commonly seen in infants born with spina bifida. Type III is a condition where the cerebellum attempts to squeeze out of the opening in the back of the skull. Type IV is where the back of the brain develops abnormally.

The cause of Chiari Malformation is unknown, but it is thought that a problem arose in fetal development causing the abnormal brain/skull formation. It also can occur when the part of the skull containing the cerebellum is too small or shaped incorrectly, resulting in too much pressure being put on the brain. As a result the cerebellum is pushed downward into the upper spinal canal and in the majority of cases will interfere with the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid helps protects your brain and spinal cord. If you’re cerebrospinal fluid is too low it will mess with your neurological signals that are transmitted from your brain to your body, other neurological signs can occur as well if the fluid level is too high.

Symptoms of Chiari Malformation can include headaches, stiffness and pain in neck or back of head area, poor feeding and swallowing (mainly infants), decreased strength in the arms, decreased sensation in the arms and legs, rapid back and forth eye movement, developmental delays, weak cry and breathing problems. These will vary with the type of Chiari Malformation that is present.

Some of the major medical complications secondary to Chiari Malformation are:

Hydrocephalus: the excess fluid that builds up in the brain may require a stent or shunt to be placed and will aid in diversion of this fluid to other body cavities.

Paralysis: This may happen after the crowding and subsequent trauma from the pressure on the spinal cord; this can be permanent in some cases even after surgery.

Syringomyelia is condition where a cavity or cyst structure is formed within the spinal cord. It’s unknown how the two are connected, but is thought that it could have something to do with injury or trauma in the spinal cord, most specifically the nerve fibers. If this type of a cavity were to form it could fill with fluid and also impair some functions of the spinal cord.

Death: This occurs when an infant is born with Chiari Malformation type IV. The infant would die not long after being born. Diagnosing: when you go to your physician he/she will start off with taking your medical history and ask questions as to what symptoms you are presenting with. They would ask if you pain or aches in your head and for you to describe them. They would also check your motor skills and how well you are able to swallow. If your doctor is not sure what is going on they are most likely going to do a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) this will tell them if you have Chiari Malformation.

Treatment: This would depend how severe your Chiair Malformation is. If you do not have any symptoms you will just have to have regular examinations to make sure everything is stable and non-progressive. If you only have headaches or some pain your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication. For some this will relieve head aches and pain and may decrease your chances of having surgery. However, for cases that are severe, surgery is required to stop the changes in the anatomy of the brain and spinal canal as well as to reduce symptoms. When the surgery is successful it can reduce the amount of pressure that is put on the cerebellum and spinal cord and the flow of the spinal fluid can return to normal. As always there are risks with having any type of surgery and one of the most common risks is post-surgical infection in the wound as it is trying to heal. The operation does reduce the symptoms of quite a few people. However, if there is nerve damage to spinal canal the surgery will not reverse that damage that is already done. After the surgery regular follow ups and diagnostic imaging or other testing will need to be done to see how the surgery went and to see how the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid has been altered with this surgical corrections.

“Chiari Malformation” Home. Web 10 Apr. 2012

http://www.columbiaeurosurgery.org/conditions/chiari-malformation/

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Definition.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 13 Nov. 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiari-malformation/DS00839/DSECTION%3Dtreatments-and-drugs>.

There are three types Diabetes Mellitus: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational. A fourth type, which is not officially termed as diabetes, is called pre-diabetes. A pre-diabetic patient will have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, however they will not be high enough to be considered a diabetic. With this being said, those diagnosed as a pre-diabetic are urged to make immediate lifestyle changes which can either prevent type 2 diabetes all together or at least delay the onset.

Type 1 diabetes is often referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. Only five percent of people with diabetes have type 1 and most are, but not limited to, children and young adults. This form of the disease is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that an individual’s immune system has attacked and destroyed the insulin producing cells of the pancreas. When the insulin producing cells, beta cells, are destroyed, no insulin is secreted which allows for glucose to sit in the blood stream and cause serious damage to surrounding organs. To prevent glucose from sitting in the blood stream, and ultimately sustain life, a type 1 diabetic must take insulin daily. Insulin is received either by multiple injections or an insulin pump. Along with receiving daily insulin, a diabetic must take a blood glucose reading on average six times daily. Even though the cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, scientists believe that is autoimmune and genetically related.

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder and most often appears after the ago of 40. A person with this form of the disease either does not make a sufficient amount of insulin or their body cells do not efficiently use the available insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of the disease, accounting for 90 to 95 percent of all diagnoses. There are both nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes. An individual has no control over the onset which can occur because of age, certain ethnicities, and genetic factors. However an onset can occur because of factors that an individual can control such as: body weight, dietary choices, and physical activity levels. Unlike type 1, type 2 diabetes can be treated by following a strict dietary regimen, participating in regular exercise, and taking prescribed medications.

The last type of diabetes in gestational diabetes, which is having high glucose levels during pregnancy. This type of diabetes occurs in three to eight percent of all pregnancies, and allows for complications for both the mother and the developing baby. Risks for the mother include: difficult labor, high blood pressure, increased infections, and even death. The developing baby has risks that include: defects of the heart, nervous system, and bones, respiratory complications, and even death. It is now also common for mothers who have experienced gestational diabetes to be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes within five to ten years after giving birth.

In the end it is important that an individual diagnosed with one of these types of diabetes follows the necessary steps to control and maintain their diabetes. Each form of diabetes calls for a lifestyle change to avoid the many complications associated with this disease.

Watch this video to Learn How To Give CPR

Learn How To give CPR to a victim. Basic Life Support classes are for healthcare professionals. Chest compressions, rescue breathing, and AED training are all part the CPR class in Nashville, TN. See more videos on BLS classes in Nashville that are all American Heart Association (AHA) CPR classes at http://youtu.be/aISwSJ4uI8Y

or Call 615-638-0005 for a Basic Life Support BLS CPR Class in Nashville

For more videos on BLS CPR classes in Nashville

If you need a Basic Life Support Class (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) class in Nashville that is American Heart Association (AHA) certified, hands-on and stress-free then call CPR Nashville at 615.638.0005 or visit their website at www.acls-bls-nashville.com

VIDEO: Listen carefully as the answers to the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR provider’s card exam are discussed in detail. BLS classes are for Nashville healthcare providers such as nurses, doctors, dentists, paramedics, etc.

Click here for more videos on BLS classes in Nashville

Register for a BLS Class in Nashville

When the thyroid is overactive, it releases too much thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. This condition is called hyperthyroidism, which causes the body to use up energy more quickly than it should. This is the opposite of when the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, the body uses energy more slowly than it should, and this is called hypothyroidism. About 20 million people in the United States have some form of thyroid disease that can occur in people of all ages. Thyroid disease usually happens in women five to eight times more often than men.

Symptoms for hypothyroidism vary widely and include: fatigue, mental fogginess and forgetfulness, feeling excessively cold, constipation, dry skin, fluid retention, nonspecific aches and stiffness in muscles and joints, excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding, and depression. Symptoms for hyperthyroidism are suggested by a number of signs and symptoms. People older than seventy years old with mild hyperthyroidism usually experience no symptoms. In general, the symptoms become more obvious as the condition worsens. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: irritability/nervousness, muscle weakness/tremors, infrequent, scant menstrual periods, weight loss, sleep disturbances, enlarged thyroid gland, vision problems or eye irritation, heat sensitivity.

Treatments for thyroid disorder are designed to restore normal blood levels of thyroid hormones. Levothyroxine is the drug that is used with patients who have hypothyroidism. This drug will help to replace missing thyroid hormones in the body. The doctor will adjust a patient’s dosage until they are able to return to their normal lifestyle. Hyperthyroidism, generally more difficult to treat, requires the normalization of thyroid hormone production. Treatment could involve drug therapy to block hormone production. Thyroid surgeries to remove part or all of the gland, or radioactive iodine treatment are usually used for hyperthyroidism, but the most popular treatment is radioactive iodine. Thyroid diseases are life-long conditions. People with thyroid disease can live healthy, normal lives if they know to carefully manage it.

Prevention of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is not yet possible. Iodine deficiency is rare in the United States, so there is no way to prevent thyroid nodules, but it is not recommended to take extra iodine. In multiple vitamin supplements there is a lot of iodine, so it is good to read the ingredient label or ask your pharmacist to verify if it contains iodine.

Reference

Dowshen, Steven . “Thyroid Disease.” February 2012. N.p., Web. 9 Mar. 2012.

<http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/growth/thyroid.html

Stephanie, Lee. “Thyroid Problems.” N.p., Web. 9 Mar. 2012.

<http://www.emedicinehealth.com/thyroid_problems/article_em.htm>.

Prostate is located in front of the rectum and below the bladder. Urethra that is the tube that empties urine from the bladder is surrounded by the prostate. Our bodies are made up of different types of cells, these cells grow and divide to produce more cells when our bodies need them, but sometimes our organ systems do not work properly and cells keep dividing and new cells are produced even if not necessary, when this process happen too much tissue is form in our bodies. Excess tissue can lead to benign or malignant. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the abnormal growth of prostate cells that leads to prostate growing larger in size and will cause to push against the bladder and the urethra by blocking the normal flow of urine.

Prostate cancer may remain in the prostate or it may spread to lymph nodes, bones, bladder, rectum or other organs. Advanced prostate cancer is the stage where it spreads to other body parts. Prostate cancer in the spinal cord could compress the spinal cord, which can cause additional symptoms like vertebral pain and pain in the bones of the pelvis and ribs.

Some of the symptoms that indicate that prostate cancer is present on the patient are:
• Painful or burning urination
• Blood in urine or semen
• Not being able to urinate normally
• Frequent urinate ,especially at night
• Pain in the lower back, hips etc.

It is very important that if the symptoms occur to get it checked with the doctor. Nowadays a lot of exams and tests are available such as: Urine test, digital rectal exam, blood test, cystoscopy ,or intravenous pyelogram .If the patient is diagnosed with the prostate cancer , depending from stage of the disease , the doctor develops a treatment plan to fit the patient’s need. There are several methods of treatment such as surgery to remove the entire prostate, radiation therapy where high-energy rays are used to damage the cancer cells and stop them from growing and dividing, or hormone therapy that prevents the prostate cancer cells getting the male hormones they need to grow and spread. When the patient goes under hormone therapy, the level of hormones decrease and this affects the prostate cancer cells. It is very vital for prostate cancer to get detected early because it has a 5-year survival rate of nearly 99%. (MD Anderson) Most kinds of cancers are curable nowadays, but for that to happen we have to be aware and alert and always diagnose our bodies.

Resources:
• Fundamentals of Anatomy & Physiology, Martini/Nath;Chapter 28 ,The Reproductive System p.1059
• http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/proton-therapy-center/conditions-we-treat/prostate-cancer/index.html?cmpid=google_PTCsearch_Prostate_Cancer_ppc&gclid=CPeE8tb6gq8CFaRdtgodOl5u1g
• http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5699537/k.BEF4/Home.htm
• American Cancer Society (ACS)

Being aware of your body and the moles that it has is very important. Melanoma can form from a normal looking mole that you may have had since birth. One sign of melanoma is the abnormality of a mole. They are very different in that most melanomas are going to be flat and irregular in shape. They can be blackish, brown or even blackish-blue or bluish-red. Although, not all melanomas show these abnormalities and that is why if it runs in your family or you see a mole changing over the years, it is better to get it checked out by a professional. Removal of the abnormal mole is crucial to the first step in preventing Melanoma. The doctor has to be very careful in removing the entire affected area. If it has spread to the lymph nodes, those must be removed as well to prevent further spreading to the organs. It has happened, in the case of my father, they did not remove the entire cancerous mole and years later, we found it spread to his organs. He passed away from Melanoma in 1997, when I was 15 years old.

Another way of detecting Melanoma, in the case such as my father’s, is through an eye exam. My father was experiencing eye pain, migraines, and blurriness. When the eye doctor checked him, he found a lump in the back of the eye. That was the Melanoma. Typically, the choroid layer is the area that Melanoma attacks. In his case, the cancer had already spread throughout the body to his organs.

Melanoma is caused by changes in your melanocytes which produce melanin. Melanin is the skin pigment that is responsible for skin and hair color. A person is more vulnerable to developing Melanoma if one is fair skinned, has blue or green eyes, or red or blonde hair. Excessive exposure to sun without protection from living, working or playing outdoors can cause a big change in your melanocyte production. You never ever, ever want to use a tanning bed. This only increases your chances of developing Melanoma. Even if you are careful to protect yourself, Melanoma can also be carried through genes. This is why it is very important to keep a close eye on your body and any moles that you may have. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, there may not be an option. The key is to detect it early enough to cure.

Once Melanoma has been found, there are many tests that can be done to help prevent the spreading. CT scans, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and surgery are major actions taken to your road of recovery. When going through with this, it takes time and has some really horrible side effects such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss and pain. All a person can do to help a loved one going through treatment for Melanoma is to try and make them as comfortable as possible. Be by their side as often and possible and tell them how wonderful they are and how much you love them.
Cancer sucks.