AUTISM

Autism is a complex brain disorder resulting in social, behavioral and language problems. People with autism have difficulty communicating and forming relationships. They may be preoccupied, engage in repetitive behaviors, and exhibit marked inflexibility. Autism occurs in about 1/1000 children.

Causes
Problems in brain development cause autism. Scientists are searching for answers about what causes these development problems. Studies suggest:
• Genes play a role. Autism seems to run in some families. Several genes may be involved.
• Problems during pregnancy or delivery may interfere with normal brain development.
• Something in the environment that a child is exposed to may be a factor.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for autism include the following:
• Sex: male (boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls)
• Family history: siblings of a child with autism have a 3-7% chance of being autistic
• A number of other conditions are associated with autism, although the relationship between them is not clear:
o Neurofibromatosis
o Tuberous sclerosis
o Fragile X syndrome
o Phenylketonuria (PKU)
o Moebius syndrome
o Epilepsy
o Herpes encephalitis
o Cytomegalovirus
o Problems during pregnancy or delivery
o Contracting rubella during pregnancy (a risk for the child)
Symptoms
Autism first appears in children age three and younger. The severity of symptoms varies. Behaviors and abilities may differ from day to day. Symptoms may decrease as the child grows older. Children with autism may exhibit a combination of abnormal behaviors.
Symptoms include:
• Avoiding social contact
• Loss of language
• Using words incorrectly; changing the meaning of a common word
• Gesturing frequently
• Avoiding eye contact
• Trouble with nonverbal communication
• Lack of interest in normal activities for that age
• Spending a lot of time alone
• Not playing imaginatively
• Not starting pretend games
• Not imitating others
• Sensitivity to sound, smell, taste, sights, and touch
• Responding to stimulation in an abnormal way
• Not reacting to smiles in the manner expected
• Hyperactivity
• Passiveness
• Tantrums
• Single-mindedness
• Aggression
• Hurting self; self-mutilation
• Rocking or flapping a hand
• Resisting change
• Forming odd attachments to objects
• Sniffing or licking of toys
• Not understanding other peoples' feelings and needs
Some people with autism suffer from other disorders as well, including:
• Seizures
• Mental retardation
• Genetic disorders, such as fragile X syndrome
Some people with autism have unusual abilities. For instance, they may memorize things or be able to play a musical instrument without lessons. Children with autism may show varying signs of cognitive impairment, but have normal intelligence. According to the Autism Information Center, children with autism may be very good at putting puzzles together or solving problems, but instead have trouble in other areas like talking or making friends. Autism, a group of developmental disabilities caused by abnormality in the brain, is a highly individualized disorder.
Diagnosis
Doctors who specialize in autism will observe the child's behavior, social contacts, and communication abilities. They will assess mental and social development and ask parents about the child's behavior. Some doctors ask parents to bring in videotapes of the child at home.
Tests may include:
• Psychological tests
• Questionnaires and observation schedules
• IQ tests
Medical tests to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms may include:
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• DNA testing
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) – a test that records the brain's activity by measuring electrical currents through the brain
Treatment
There is no cure for autism. The severity of symptoms may decrease over the years, but the condition lasts for life. Children with autism and their families benefit from early intervention. Children with autism respond well to a structured, predictable schedule. With help, many children with autism learn to cope with their disabilities. Most need assistance and support throughout their lives. Others are able to work and live independently when they grow up.
Interventions to help children with autism include:
Special Education
Programs designed to meet the child's special needs improve the odds of learning. Children with autism may have trouble with assignments, concentration, and anxiety. Teachers who understand the condition can build on the child's unique abilities. Programs should incorporate the child's interests. Some children do better in a small-group setting. Others do well in regular classrooms with special support. Vocational training can help prepare young adults for a job.
Therapy Services
Speech, physical, and occupational therapies may improve speech and activities. Children with autism need help developing social skills.
Family Services
Professional support helps a family cope with caring for a child with autism. Counselors help parents learn how to manage behaviors. Furthermore, caring for a child with autism can be exhausting and frustrating. Arranging occasional respite care is essential, so that the main caregiver can have some breaks.
Medication
Although there are no drugs to treat autism, several drugs are used to help manage symptoms. For example, drugs prescribed for anxiety and depression can help tone down obsessive and aggressive behaviors.
Prevention
There are no guidelines for preventing autism because the cause is unknown. Scientists are searching for ways to prevent autism.

Read More

11:10 AM | 0 comments

SYPHILIS

What is syphilis?

Syphilis (pronounced siff-ill-iss) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacteria (germ). It progresses in stages and without treatment, can lead to death.

How is syphilis spread?
Syphilis can be spread during vaginal, anal, or oral sex through contact with an open sore or contact with a skin rash. The bacteria can enter the body through the penis, anus, vagina, mouth, or through broken skin. An infected pregnant woman can also pass the disease to her unborn child. Syphilis is not spread by contact with toilet seats, doorknobs, swimming pools, hot tubs, bathtubs, shared clothing, or eating utensils.

What are the symptoms of syphilis?

Each stage of syphilis has different symptoms. Syphilis can be spread during the first two stages of the disease.

Primary Stage
A single, painless sore, called a chancre (shan-ker), appears in the first, or primary stage, about 10 days to 90 days after infection. The sore can appear on the vulva, vagina, cervix, tongue, lips, or other parts of the body, including inside the body. Twenty-one days after infection is the most common time frame in which the sore appears. The sore heals with or without treatment. In this stage, syphilis can be passed to others through contact with an open sore during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. If the infection is not treated, it moves to the next, or secondary, stage.

Secondary Stage
In the secondary stage, which starts three to six weeks after the sore appears, some or all of these symptoms can appear:

* skin rash with rough, red or reddish-brown spots both on the palms of the hands and bottoms of the feet. The rash usually does not itch. Rashes with a different appearance may occur on other parts of the body.
* sores on the throat, mouth, or cervix
* fever
* sore throat and swollen lymph glands
* patchy hair loss on the head and other parts of the body
* headaches and muscle aches
* weight loss
* tiredness

During vaginal, anal, or oral sex, contact with open sores or contact with the rash can spread the infection to others. The symptoms of secondary syphilis will resolve with or without treatment. But without treatment, the infection will progress to the latent and late stages of disease.

Latent Stage
The next stage is called the latent or hidden stage. This stage can start from two years to over thirty years after initial infection. After symptoms from the secondary stage disappear, a relapse of the second stage of syphilis can happen, when those symptoms come back. If a relapse happens, the disease can be passed to others. Otherwise, the disease cannot be passed to another person. Even without treatment, some people with latent syphilis do not go on to develop late stage syphilis. But others will go on to develop late stage syphilis.

Late Stage
In the late stage of syphilis, some people suffer damage to the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. Complications may include small bumps or tumors on organs, blindness, insanity, or paralysis. This stage can last for years. Some people may die from the disease. You will only reach this stage if you have not received treatment earlier. If you have syphilis, get treated as soon as possible to avoid these problems.

How is syphilis diagnosed?

A doctor can diagnose syphilis in a number of ways:

* Recognizing its signs and symptoms and taking the correct tests.
* Looking at the fluid from a syphilis sore or swollen lymph node under a microscope. This can only be done during primary and secondary syphilis when a patient has sores.
* Testing the patient’s blood.


Can syphilis be cured? How is syphilis treated?

Yes, syphilis can be cured. Penicillin is the preferred drug to treat syphilis at all stages. The dose and length of treatment depends on the stage of syphilis and symptoms of the disease. If a person can’t take penicillin, another medicine may be available. But in late syphilis, damage already done to body organs cannot be reversed. You can get syphilis again after being cured if you are exposed to it. Taking antibiotics does not protect you from getting syphilis again.
[Return to Top]
What should I do if I have syphilis?

* Avoid having any sexual activity while you are being treated for syphilis. Don’t have sexual contact until the syphilis sores are completely healed.
* Be sure to tell your sexual partners, so they can be tested and treated if necessary.
* After you have completed treatment for syphilis, get retested after six months and 12 months. Some doctors recommend more frequent follow-up tests.


Can syphilis cause problems during pregnancy?

Yes. Pregnant women can pass syphilis to their babies during pregnancy and childbirth. It can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or death soon after birth. An infected baby may be born without signs of disease. However, if not treated right away, the baby may have serious problems within a few weeks. Babies born with syphilis may develop skin sores, rashes, fever, jaundice (yellow skin), anemia (a blood problem), or a swollen liver and spleen. Untreated babies may become developmentally delayed, have seizures, or die.

All pregnant women should be tested for syphilis. Pregnant women with syphilis are treated right away with penicillin. For women with an allergy to penicillin, there is no alternative medicine that has proven effective for treatment. Penicillin will prevent passing syphilis to the baby, although treatment during the second half of pregnancy may not eliminate the risk for premature labor and fetal distress.

How is syphilis prevented?

There are things you can do to protect yourself from syphilis:

* Don’t have sex. The best way to prevent syphilis or any STD is to practice abstinence, or not having vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
* Be faithful. Have a sexual relationship with one partner who has been tested for syphilis and is not infected is another way to reduce your chances of getting infected. Be faithful to each other, meaning that you only have sex with each other and no one else.
* Use condoms. Protect yourself with a condom EVERY time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. For vaginal sex, use a latex male condom or a female polyurethane condom. For anal sex, use a latex male condom. For oral sex, use a dental dam. A dental dam is a rubbery material that can be placed over the anus or the vagina before sexual contact.
* Know that some methods of birth control, like birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect you from STDs. If you use one of these methods, be sure to also use a latex condom or dental dam (used for oral sex) correctly every time you have sex.
* Talk with your sex partner(s) about STDs and using condoms. It’s up to you to make sure you are protected. Remember, it’s YOUR body! For more information, call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at (800) 232-4636.
* Talk frankly with your doctor or nurse and your sex partner(s) about any STDs you or your partner have or had. Talk about any sores in the genital area. Try not to be embarrassed. Being honest could save your lives.
* Have regular pelvic exams. Talk with your doctor about how often you need them. Many tests for STDs can be done during an exam. Ask your doctor to test you for syphilis and other STDs. The sooner an STD is found, the easier it is to treat.
* If you are pregnant, get tested for syphilis. Get tested as soon as you think you may be pregnant.

Read More

12:04 PM | 0 comments

Breast Cancer

what is breast cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which cells become abnormal and form more cells in an uncontrolled way. With breast cancer, the cancer begins in cells that make up the breasts—usually in the tubes that carry milk to the nipple or the glands that make milk. The cancerous cells form a mass of tissue called a tumor. Sometimes, the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.

Why should I be concerned about breast cancer?

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. Every woman has a chance of getting breast cancer. About 1 in 8 women will find out she has breast cancer at some point in her life. This might sound scary. But today, fewer and fewer women are dying from breast cancer. Many women have overcome breast cancer and are living life to its fullest. With breast cancer screening tools, including mammograms, doctors often can find cancer early. Treatment is more likely to work well when cancer is found early

Read More

11:59 AM | 0 comments