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.
2007-01-03 10:28:20
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answer #1
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answered by jamaica 5
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Sure, I feel that no longer most effective our upbringing however the whole thing that happens to us impacts us profoundly. I'm not the equal character I was once 5 years ago, in view that I lived with an abuser for most of that time. It took me awhile to realize simply how different i am, however i will see the alterations show up themselves in my interactions with folks, chiefly men, now. I am an awfully powerful person so i will in no way allow my upbringing or something else in my past to adversely have an effect on me to the factor that i would turn out to be lazy or apathetic about existence, or a burden on others, or blame my prior for my moves. I see plenty of men and women doing this and it gets on my nerves. I consider you are right, there does come a point in each and every character's existence where it is their responsibility as an grownup to make a mindful determination to both let their childhood spoil their capabilities or to stop giving their childhood vigour over their future.
2016-08-10 06:21:53
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answer #2
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answered by ? 4
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