Health and Fitness

Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy Overview Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) is characterized by early-onset, generalized and slowly progressive muscle weakness, multiple proximal joint contractures, marked hypermobility of the distal joints and normal intelligence. Symptoms of Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy The first signs of UCMD may be seen at birth or are usually evident within the first year of life. These include poor head control and delays in reaching motor milestones such as sitting unaided, crawling, or walking. Failure to gain weight and grow at the expected rate are also often early symptoms. The severity of symptoms at onset and progression varies amongst those affected and depends on the specific change in the COL6 genes. Initial symptoms could be subtle and go unnoticed, and the diagnosis may not be made until infancy or childhood. Muscle weakness Muscle weakness is often noticeable soon after birth. Various muscle groups are affected, including the...

Ulnar clinodactyly syndrome Overview Clinodactyly is a minor bone malformation where your finger curves at the joint closest to your nail and bends toward your other fingers like a hook. It most often affects your fifth digit (pinky finger), but it can happen to any finger or toe. The curve is the result of your finger bone growing in a different shape than it should. It may be present at birth or it may happen as a result of injury to a growing finger in childhood. It’s normal for fingers to curve at an angle less than 10 degrees. Clinodactyly specifically refers to finger curves at angles greater than 10 degrees. Symptoms Symptoms of clinodactyly appear in a finger on your hand. The condition can be present at birth (congenital) even if symptoms aren’t noticeable until early childhood when the bones grow and start to mature. Clinodactyly could appear on one or both of your hands and on any one finger. The condition also affects toes. Symptoms of clinodactyly include: Finger curves li...

Tyrosinemia Overview In tyrosinemia, the body doesn't have an enzyme it needs [called fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH)] to metabolize tyrosine. Metabolism is a process in which our bodies break down substances as we use them for energy; in this case tyrosine. Tyrosine is an amino acid that is found in most proteins. When people with tyrosinemia break down protein, abnormal toxic break down products of tyrosine build up in their bodies. This causes progressive damage to the liver and kidneys, but mainly the liver. This is because the liver is normally the primary place tyrosine is metabolized. Tyrosinemia is hereditary; in order to have the disease, a child must get a mutation in the gene for tyrosinemia from each parent. In families where both parents carry a mutation, there is a one in four risk that a child will have tyrosinemia. There is now a genetic test available, so that couples at high risk of being carriers can determine their risk of having a child with tyrosinemia. Th...

Tuberous sclerosis Overview Tuberous sclerosis (TOO-bur-us skluh-ROH-sis), also called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), is an uncommon genetic disorder that causes tumors to develop in many parts of the body. These tumors are not cancer. Noncancerous tumors, also called benign tumors, are overgrowths of cells and tissue that are not expected. Symptoms vary widely, depending on where the growths develop and how big they get. Tuberous sclerosis is often first found during infancy or childhood. Sometimes tuberous sclerosis can have such mild symptoms that the condition isn't diagnosed until adulthood, or it's not diagnosed at all. Sometimes tuberous sclerosis causes serious disabilities. There is no cure for tuberous sclerosis, and the course of the disorder and how bad it gets can't be predicted. But treatments are available to manage symptoms. Symptoms Tuberous sclerosis symptoms are caused by noncancerous growths in parts of the body, most commonly in the skin, brain, eyes...

Trisomy 18 Overview Trisomy 18 is a serious genetic condition. It is also sometimes called Edward syndrome. It can cause many different symptoms that are most often life-limiting. Not all babies with trisomy 18 will have the same differences or challenges. Some common things that can be caused by trisomy 18 include: Heart problems Kidney problems Clenched hands Slow growth during pregnancy Cleft lip and / or palate Trisomy 18 also causes challenges after birth, such as: Breathing problems Severe intellectual disability Feeding problems Seizures Hearing problems Who does Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) affect? Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) can affect anyone. The condition occurs when a person has an extra copy of chromosome 18, which is random and unpredictable. The likelihood that a parent will have a child with Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) increases with maternal age at the time of pregnancy. If a parent had a child with Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) and becomes pregnant again, it’s un...

Havana Syndrome Overview Havana Syndrome, or Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), refers to a set of unexplained, often chronic symptoms—including headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, and cognitive dysfunction—first reported by U.S. and Canadian diplomats in Havana, Cuba, in 2016. Often starting with a localized, intense sound, these cases have been reported globally. The cause is heavily debated, ranging from hypotheses of directed-energy weapons (like microwaves) to theories of mass psychogenic illness or environmental factors Symptoms Sensory and Auditory Issues: Intense ear pressure, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and sensitivity to sound. Neurological/Physical Symptoms: Severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and unsteadiness. Cognitive Issues: Memory loss, poor concentration, and confusion. Visual Disturbance: Blurred vision, diplopia, and light sensitivity. Onset: Symptoms often began suddenly, sometimes at night, and were associated with specific, di...

Chronic Migraine Overview Chronic migraine is a condition where you have frequent or long-lasting episodes of headaches and migraines. With chronic migraine, your symptoms can shift daily (or even hour to hour). That can make it hard to tell where one migraine or headache ends and another begins. Symptoms Chronic migraine symptoms are the same as those of episodic migraines. Chronic migraines simply last longer or happen more often. Chronic migraine also involves headaches. To receive this diagnosis, you must have: At least 15 days in a month where you experience a headache or migraine. This must happen for at least three months. At least eight days per month where your headaches include migraine symptoms or features. This must happen for at least three months. Migraines symptoms As mentioned, migraines aren’t the same as headaches, and they can take different forms. The symptoms you experience from migraine to migraine can also vary. Migraines happen in up to four stages (but not ever...

Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome) Overview Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) is a rare genetic condition that occurs when the 13th chromosome appears three times (trisomy) instead of two times in a person’s DNA. Trisomy 13 affects the development of the face, brain and heart, along with physical growth abnormalities throughout a child’s body. Symptoms of trisomy 13 can be life-threatening and the condition poses a risk of miscarriage or death before the child turns 1 year old. Who does trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) affect? Trisomy 13 can affect anyone because it’s the result of a copying error during fetal development where an extra chromosome joins a pair. The rate of occurrence is higher among children born to parents who are older than 35 years. To understand your risk of having a child with a genetic condition, talk to your healthcare provider about genetic testing. How common is trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)? Trisomy 13 occurs in an estimated 1 out of 10,000 to 20,000 live births. The mortality r...