Health and Fitness

Graves' Disease overview Graves' disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). Although a number of disorders may result in hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease is a common cause. Thyroid hormones affect many body systems, so signs and symptoms of Graves' disease can be wide ranging. Although Graves' disease may affect anyone, it's more common among women and in people younger than age 40. The primary treatment goals are to reduce the amount of thyroid hormones that the body produces and lessen the severity of symptoms. Symptoms   Common signs and symptoms of Graves' disease include: *Anxiety and irritability *A fine tremor of the hands or fingers *Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin *Weight loss, despite normal eating habits *Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter) *Change in menstrual cycles *Erectile dysfunction or reduced libido *Frequent bowel movements *Bulg...

Cystic Fibrosis OVERVIEW An inherited life-threatening disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices. It causes these fluids to become thick and sticky. They then plug up tubes, ducts and passageways. Symptoms vary and can include cough, repeated lung infections, inability to gain weight and fatty stools. Treatments may ease symptoms and reduce complications. Newborn screening helps with early diagnosis. SYMPTOMS In the U.S., because of newborn screening, cystic fibrosis can be diagnosed within the first month of life, before symptoms develop. But people born before newborn screening became available may not be diagnosed until the signs and symptoms of CF show up. Cystic fibrosis signs and symptoms vary, depending on the severity of the disease. Even in the same person, symptoms may worsen or improve as time passes. Some people may not experience symptoms until their teenage years or adulthood. Peo...

Cushing's Syndrome overview A condition that occurs from exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time. The most common cause is the use of steroid drugs, but it can also occur from overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Signs are a fatty hump between the shoulders, a rounded face and pink or purple stretch marks. Treatment options include reducing steroid use, surgery, radiation and medication. symptoms he signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome can vary depending on the levels of excess cortisol. Common signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome *Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, particularly around the midsection and upper back, in the face (moon face), and between the shoulders (buffalo hump) *Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms *Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily *Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections *Acne Signs and symptoms women with Cushing syndrome may experience *Thicker or more visi...

Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison's Disease overview Addison's disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, is an uncommon illness that occurs when the body doesn't make enough of certain hormones. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands make too little cortisol and, often, too little of another hormone, aldosterone. Addison's disease can affect anyone and can be life-threatening. Treatment involves taking hormones to replace those that are missing. Symptoms Addison's disease symptoms usually happen slowly, often over months. The disease can move so slowly that people who have it may ignore the symptoms at first. Then a stress, such as illness or injury, makes symptoms worse. Symptoms may include: *Extreme fatigue *Weight loss and loss of appetite *Areas of darkened skin *Low blood pressure, even fainting *Salt craving *Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia *Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting *Abdominal pain *Muscle and joint pain *Irritability *Depression *Body...

SUMMARY Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. When you have too much growth hormone, your bones increase in size. In childhood, this leads to increased height and is called gigantism. But in adulthood, a change in height doesn't occur. Instead, the increase in bone size is limited to the bones of your hands, feet and face, and is called acromegaly. Because acromegaly is uncommon and the physical changes occur slowly over many years, the condition sometimes takes a long time to recognize. Untreated, high levels of growth hormone can affect other parts of the body, in addition to your bones. This can lead to serious — sometimes even life-threatening — health problems. But treatment can reduce your risk of complications and significantly improve your symptoms, including the enlargement of your features. SYMPTOMS A common sign of acromegaly is enlarged hands and feet. For example, you may notice that...

Disease Overview Dracunculosis is an infection caused by a parasitic worm known as Dracunculus medinensis, the guinea worm. Infected water fleas release the larvae of the worm into drinking water. Ingestion of contaminated water causes the larvae to migrate from the intestines via the abdominal cavity to the tissue under the skin. The larvae mature and release a toxic substance that makes the overlying skin ulcerate. After treatment, symptoms disappear and the worms can be safely removed from the skin. Symptoms Dracunculosis is characterized by chronic skin ulcers. Tissue under the skin is infiltrated by developing larvae of the parasitic worm known as Dracunculus medinensis, or Guinea worm. A female worm ready to release larvae produces stinging elevated spots (papules), causing redness and itching of the skin. These symptoms may be an allergic reaction to the parasite. The spots form blisters and later rupture, developing into painful ulcers. Multiple ulcers (usually on the legs) are...

 Dravet Syndrome SUMMARY Dravet syndrome — formerly known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI) — is a genetic epilepsy, characterized by temperature-sensitive/febrile seizures, treatment-resistant epilepsy that begins in the first year of life, and differences in childhood development. SYMPTOMS What are the symptoms of Dravet syndrome? Symptoms of Dravet syndrome vary from child to child. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some of the most common seizure-related symptoms include: Seizures of many different types. These can include atypical absence seizure, complex febrile seizure, epilepsia partialis continua, focal aware seizure, focal hemiclonic seizure, focal impaired awareness seizure, generalized clonic seizure, photosensitive myoclonic seizure and photosensitive tonic-clonic seizure. *Sudden muscle jerking (myoclonus). *Long-lasting seizures (more than five minutes). *Frequent seizures. *Behavioral, intellectual and developmental setbacks. Your child develops n...