Health and Fitness

  Gerstmann Syndrome Overview Gerstmann's syndrome is a cognitive impairment that results from damage to a specific area of the brain known as the left parietal lobe in the region of the angular gyrus. It may occur after a stroke or in association with damage to the parietal lobe. It is characterized by four primary symptoms: A writing disability (agraphia or dysgraphia) A lack of understanding of the rules for calculation or arithmetic (acalculia or dyscalculia) An inability to distinguish right from left An inability to identify fingers (finger agnosia) Many adults also experience aphasia, (difficulty in expressing oneself when speaking, in understanding speech, or in reading and writing). The disorder should not be confused with Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease, a type of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. There are few reports of the syndrome, sometimes called developmental Gerstmann's syndrome, in children. The cause is not known. Most cases are identified when...

Generalized Arterial Calcification of Infancy OVERVIEW Generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is a rare genetic disorder that affects the circulatory system in addition to other body systems. It occurs in approximately 1:200,000 pregnancies. GACI affects males and females equally and occurs in populations all around the world. It has an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern and usually affects infants during the first 6 months of life. There have been slightly over 200 cases documented since GACI was first described in medical literature in 1899. Symptoms of GACI include respiratory distress, arterial calcification, gastrointestinal issues, joint calcification, hearing loss, high blood pressure, stroke, reduced or absent pulses, and heart failure. GACI manifests itself differently even within families with the same genetic cause of the disease. No two people with GACI will have identical medical characteristics. GACI type 1 occurs in 75% of patients, is caused by varian...

  General Myoclonus Overview Myoclonus is the medical term for sudden, rapid, brief, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. These shock-like movements may be caused by sudden muscle contractions (positive myoclonus) or sudden losses of muscle tone (negative myoclonus). Many different neurological disorders can cause myoclonus; therefore, neurologists consider it a symptom of disease rather than a specific diagnosis. Indeed, everyone experiences myoclonus on occasion. For example, "sleep starts," also known as “hypnic jerks,” are the shock-like twitches that some people experience while drifting off to sleep. This is a form of myoclonus that occurs in normal, healthy individuals. Pathological myoclonus, however, may be extremely disabling. Myoclonus may affect a small region (focal or segmental myoclonus), such as one hand, or may produce violent jerks over the entire body (generalized myoclonus). Myoclonic jerks may occur alone or in sequence, either in a patter...

 Gastroschisis  Overview Gastroschisis is a birth defect where a hole in the abdominal (belly) wall beside the belly button allows the baby’s intestines to extend outside of the baby’s body. The hole can be small or large and sometimes other organs, such as the stomach and liver, can be found outside of the baby’s body as well. Gastroschisis occurs early during pregnancy. The hole is usually to the right side of the belly button. Because the intestines are not covered in a protective sac and are exposed to the amniotic fluid, they can become irritated, causing them to shorten, twist, or swell. Gastroschisis is a birth defect where your baby’s intestines (stomach, large or small intestines) exit their body from a 2 to 5-centimeter hole beside their belly button during fetal development. This condition happens early during pregnancy when your baby’s abdominal wall doesn’t form correctly, leaving an opening for their organs to escape. Your baby’s organs float in amniotic fluid in...

  Gastroparesis Overview Gastroparesis, which means stomach paralysis, is a condition affecting the nerves and muscles in your stomach. It interferes with the muscle activity (peristalsis) that moves food through your stomach and into your small intestine. When your stomach muscles and nerves can’t activate correctly, your stomach can’t process food or empty itself as it should. This holds up your whole digestive process. People with gastroparesis have uncomfortable symptoms during digestion, and they can also have longer-lasting side effects. They might have low appetite and trouble meeting their nutritional needs, or trouble controlling their blood sugar. When food finally passes from their stomach, it may not pass completely and may leave some behind. This can develop into a hardened, solid mass called a bezoar. Symptoms Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis include: Vomiting Nausea Abdominal bloating Abdominal pain A feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites Vomiting undi...

  Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)  Overview Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors that occur when cells become abnormal and grow out of control. GISTs can start anywhere in your digestive (gastrointestinal) tract, from the esophagus to the anus. More than half start in the stomach, and most others start in the small intestine. GISTS are very rare in people under 40 years old. Some GISTs occur spontaneously, while others run in families. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a family history of this condition. The actual number of people with GIST is not known. However, the condition is rare. Healthcare providers estimate that there are between 4,000 and 6,000 cases per year in the U.S. GISTs are uncommon tumors that can grow anywhere in your digestive tract , from the esophagus to the anus. Some GISTs are small and not harmful, while others may be larger or cancerous. While some people may have no symptoms, others may feel unwell or have pain or ...

 Erosive Gastritis  Overview Erosive gastritis is gastric mucosal erosion caused by damage to mucosal defenses. It is typically acute, manifesting with bleeding, but may be subacute or chronic with few or no symptoms. Diagnosis is by endoscopy. Treatment is supportive, with removal of the inciting cause and initiation of acid-suppressant therapy. Certain intensive care unit patients (eg, head trauma, burn, multisystem trauma, mechanically ventilated) benefit from prophylaxis with acid suppressants. Gastritis is inflammation in the lining of your stomach. This lining (a soft tissue called mucosa) protects your stomach from the acids, enzymes and microorganisms that pass through it every day. Gastritis happens when your immune system detects a threat to this barrier. Your immune system triggers inflammation in the tissues to help fight infections and promote healing Type of gastritis You can have acute gastritis or chronic gastritis. Acute gastritis is sudden and temporary. The ...