I am going to compile a list of medical problems, common and uncommon. It will include any and all information you have about it!

If you have asthma, diabetes (type I or II), seizures/epilepsy, hydrocephalus, etc...write it up! Put together all your knowledge on the subject and message me with it! I will edit and tweak what is needed and then compile everything into a FAQ. It will be stickied and locked. Also, all credit will be given to those who assist me with this task.

If you don't specifically have a problem, but have a family member who does, get them to help! I'll include anything, such as Chronic Obstructed Pulmonary Disease, Hypertension, Congestive Heart Failure, even information on Strokes and Myocardial infarctions. If you know about it, write it up!

Message me with what you're going to write about and I'll include a list in the topic so things aren't doubled. Then when you're finished, send it to me!

Thanks in advance! There are no points or rewards being offered for this. Simply the fact that you provide your knowledge to further the knowledge of our members. Who knows more about these problems then people who deal with them every day?  

If you get information from a website, please include the name of the website and/or a link so that the proper citations can be made.

Happy writing!

**
petafan - Autism Spectrum Disorders
Artistic Drain - Myasenthia Gravis, Fibromyalgia, Anxiety and Panic attacks
qwueenofdadamned  - Eating Disorders
xxsinger987  - Vader Syndrome, Spina Bifida
it haunts me - Breast Cancer, M.S.
uscmedic - Asthma, CHF, COPD
hypnotiq desir3 - Cystic Fibrosis
insertnamehere - OCD, Testicular Cancer
im a slow learner - ADD
girl19 - Hyrdocephalus
RelientKFan824 -  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Dr Wytch - Goldenhar Syndrome
OpethGirl69 - Marfan Syndrome, Achondroplasia, Eczema

(Edited by uscmedic at 4:53 pm on July 24, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
GO GAMECOCKS!

Overview:  
Meaning "grave muscle weakness", Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune disease that causes weakness in voluntary muscles. Often, patients will notice improvement after rest. This illness most often affects eye movement, eye lids, facial expression, chewing, swallowing and breathing. If not treated, it will continue to spread, usually ending in the throat where the patient dies from suffocation.  

Example a) Myasthenia Gravis in the eyes.  

Causes:  
Myasthenia Gravis occurs when an individual’s antibodies block nerve receptors. Normally, antibodies work to protect the body against foreign organisms; however in patients who develop MG, the antibodies are attacking things they should not be attacking. Thus, the nerve passages are being blocked which causes decreased use of muscles.  

The thymus gland also plays an important role in the condition of MG. This gland is responsible for distributing antibodies and slowly is replaced with fat as people age (hence why the elderly become sick more easily). Patients with MG usually display irregular levels of hormones in their thymus which typically would be found in the spleen or lymph nodes. Tumors are also a common thing to see in patients with MG.  
However the role of the thymus gland in relation to MG is still not fully understood by doctors.  

Symptoms:  
The most commonly affected muscles are control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and swallowing. Often they will weaken almost suddenly, but MG is usually not diagnosed right away. The severity and number of muscles MG affects varies on the person. Often two or more areas will be affected. Such as the eyelids, ability to move the eyes and numbness in their finger tips.  

Who is it most commonly found in?  
It is most commonly found among women (age 40 and above) and men (age 60 and above), but can occur at any age.  

While the disease is not contagious or hereditary, it is not uncommon to see more than one case in a family. Some doctors believe that a mother can pass it onto her children during prenatal development. However, it is not the sole factor in developing MG.  

Diagnoses:  
Often it can take a year or two to be diagnosed with MG because it is not a commonly found disease.  
Usually, the patient will give a full medical background; get neurological examinations and a special blood test which will show if there are irregular levels immune molecules. Patients with only ocular symptoms of MG do not always show irregularities in blood tests however.  

Next, a test called edrophonium can be done. Being supervised by doctors, the patient receives an injection of edrophonium chloride or Tensilon. This breaks down the antibodies which are blocking the nerves. The patient will regain their normal muscle movement until the drug has left their body. However the drug cannot be used daily to treat the MG.  

Next, an EMG (electromyography) test can be done. This uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscle fibers. Patients with MG typically do not respond well to this.  

Treatment:  
This is a disease that can be controlled. Medicated, the patient will be able to lead a normal life usually. Taking steroids which increase muscle strength, and medication to destroy the nerve blockages and to prevent blockages is most commonly used.  
However, in severe cases, the removal of the thymus gland can completely cure the patient (70% of the time). However this is high risk surgery and not commonly done.  

During difficult periods of weakness and in the beginning of treatment, patients often under go blood transfusions. This replaces the person’s antibodies (which are working against them) high-dose intravenous immune globulins which temporarily restores normal working muscles using antibodies from donated blood.  

Myasthenia Gravis Crisis:  
A crisis occurs when the muscles controlling breathing weaken to the point where the patient is in danger of suffocation. Immediate medical attention is required so a respirator can be used. This is commonly triggered by infection, reaction to medication or emotional stress.  

Conclusion  
While Myasthenia Gravis is a dangerous and relatively uncharted disease, most patients can take ease in knowing it can be treated and they can live a normal life. In some patients, medication can be completely removed and blood transfusion rare. In others, they will remain on medication for the rest of their lives. However, it is manageable and you can live a normal life with it.  

My personal experience: My father developed MG close to two years ago and was on disability for a short period. It affected his eye movement and eyelids. His eyes are the example at the top of this document. He now takes medication daily and visits his specialists about once a month. He can now see fine and only has muscle weakness after long periods of strenuous work.  

Sources:  
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Wikipedia – Myasthenia Gravis

(Edited by uscmedic at 9:09 pm on Feb. 12, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
GO GAMECOCKS!

Common tender points are:

 * Neck
 * Shoulders
 * Chest
 * Rib Cage
 * Lower Back
 * Thighs
 * Knees
 * Arms (elbows)
 * Buttocks

The pain is described as stabbing, burning or long aching pains. Some patients notice that the pain occurs mainly at night, while others may experience the pain constantly.

Causes
The cause is still unknown.

Symptoms
Chronic pain, sleep problems, pain in tender points are common symptoms.

Diagnoses
FMS is usually diagnosed by ruling out other illnesses such as arthritis and other fatigue diseases. There is no test which can test if a patient has FMS for sure or not. Therefore, many patients are either never diagnosed or improperly diagnosed.

Treatment
Depending on the severity of the FMS, treatment can be as simple as taking vitamins, to as difficult as completely changing your diet and partaking in FMS exorcise classes.

Doctors believe that adding fish oil, magnesium/malic acid combinations to your diet can help in addition to vitamins to boost the immune system and the body’s strength.

FMS patients also tend to benefit from slower exorcise, such as water exorcise, arthritic exorcise and should avoid weight lifting or overly strenuous activity.

Other Complications
If the patient does not work to improve their body, it can lead to an increased chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, cervical and low-back degenerative disease, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders, or depression.

My personal experience with FMS: My mom was diagnosed with FMS when I was a small child. She has tried numerous exorcise routines and has found that arthritic water exorcise twice a week helps her most. Her pain varies from day to day but she does not have a serious case of FMS.

Sources

MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

(Edited by uscmedic at 3:57 pm on Feb. 15, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
GO GAMECOCKS!

Overview

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed. The inflammation makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things to which you are allergic or find irritating. When the airways react, they get narrower and less air flows through to your lung tissues. This causes symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing.

Asthma cannot be cured, but for most patients it can be controlled so that you have only minimal and infrequent symptoms and you can live an active life. So, if you have asthma, taking care of it is an important part of your life. Controlling your asthma means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking medicines as directed by your doctor. By controlling your asthma every day, you can prevent serious symptoms and take part in all activities. If your asthma is not well controlled, you are likely to have symptoms that can make you miss school or work and keep you from doing things you enjoy. Asthma is one of the leading causes of children missing school.

When you experience a worsening of your asthma symptoms, it is called an asthma episode or attack. In an asthma attack, muscles around the airways tighten up, making the airway openings narrower so less air can flow through. Inflammation increases and the airways become more swollen and narrow. Cells in the airways also make more mucus than usual. This extra mucus also narrows the airways. These changes cause the symptoms of asthma and make it harder to breathe. Asthma attacks are not all the same-some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

If you have asthma, you should see your doctor regularly. You will need to learn what things cause your asthma symptoms to worsen and how to avoid them. Your doctor will also prescribe medicines to keep your asthma under control.

Facts:

Asthma leads to 2 million emergency room visits and 5,000 deaths per year in the U.S.

Asthma accounted for more than 14 million missed school days in 2000.

Asthma costs (health care costs and lost productivity) totaled $14 billion in 2002.

What Happens During an Asthma Attack?

When asthma causes breathing problems, the person experiences an "asthma attack", or episode. During an attack, three major changes can take place in the lungs:

Cells in the air tubes make more mucus than normal. The mucus is thick and sticky and tends to clog up the air tubes.

Cells in the airways get inflamed, causing the air tubes to swell.

The muscles around the air tubes tighten.
These changes cause the air tubes to narrow and make it hard to breathe.

Who Gets Asthma?

Asthma is a major public health problem in the U.S. and asthma prevalence has been on a steep rise since 1980. Though many cases of asthma probably go undiagnosed, health officials estimate that at least 20 million people in the U.S. have asthma, including 6.3 million children.

African-Americans have higher rates of asthma emergency room visits, hospitalizations and death than Caucasians. African-Americans visit the emergency room for asthma more than twice as often and are hospitalized for asthma more than three times as often.

What Triggers Asthma Attacks?

Asthma attacks occur when something irritates the lungs and "triggers" an asthmatic reaction. Many things can trigger asthma. If you or a loved one has asthma, it's important to learn which triggers cause problems. Ask your doctor to help you.

Allergens and irritants trigger asthma for many people. Allergens are substances that do not cause problems for most people, but trigger allergic reaction in some people. During an allergy attack, the body releases chemicals called mediators that can trigger asthma episodes. Irritants, such as cigarette smoke, fragrances, paint and gasoline fumes can also trigger asthma. Exposure to irritants can stimulate receptors in the respiratory tract. The receptors send signals to the surrounding airways to constrict which can cause an asthma attack.

Once you know what triggers your asthma, you can take steps to reduce exposure to triggers and decrease the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.

What are Indoor Environmental Asthma Triggers?

Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors. Indoor exposure to asthma triggers plays an important role in asthma in the U.S. By knowing what the common indoor triggers are and how to control them, we can reduce the effects of asthma! Click on the links below to learn more about environmental asthma triggers and ways to reduce your exposure to them.

Asthma triggers commonly found indoors include:

Secondhand (cigarette) Smoke

Cockroaches and Other Pests

Dust Mites & House Dust

Molds

Pets and Other Animals

Nitrogen Dioxide

Types of Medications:

There are two main types of asthma medications, "controller" and "rescue." If your asthma is mild or intermittent, your doctor may only prescribe a quick relief or "rescue" medicine to use as needed. If your condition is moderate to severe, you and your doctor may design an asthma treatment plan that combines both controller and rescue medications.

Controller Medications

These are long-term, preventive medications that help you acquire and maintain control of your asthma symptoms. They are taken daily and treat the two underlying causes of asthma symptoms, inflammation and constriction.

Controller Medications: Anti-Inflammatories and Long-Acting Bronchodilators.

Anti-Inflammatories

Anti-Inflammatories reduce swelling in the lungs, resulting in decreased sensitivity to triggers, fewer attacks, and an overall reduction in symptoms.

While the list of anti-inflammatories contains mast cell stabilizers and leukotriene modifiers, corticosteroids are considered the most effective asthma medications for those with persistent asthma.

Inhaled corticosteroids are the best and safest way to reduce airway inflammation. They take one to three weeks to show results and reach full effectiveness within three months.
Oral corticosteroids are the most potent anti-inflammatory medications and are used to treat hard-to- control asthma. They can be fully effective within 3 hours.

Long-Acting Bronchodilators

Long-acting bronchodilators relax the muscles that surround and constrict the airways, allowing you to breathe in and out more easily.

Both inhaled and oral forms of long-acting bronchodilators are available.

The inhaled forms are commonly taken twice a day in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory medication.
The oral forms can be found in pill or syrup form. They are effective for 12 hours and are particularly helpful for nighttime asthma symptoms.

Combined Medications

Almost all long-term controller treatments include both an anti-inflammatory and a long-acting bronchodilator. The actual combination of medications depends on the condition of your asthma and your preferences.

In most cases the two medications are taken separately using two different inhalers. However, combinations delivered through a single inhaler have recently come on the market. If these single inhaler combinations are the right ones for you, it can mean you will need fewer inhalers and enjoy a shorter treatment time.

Rescue Medications

Quick-relief or "rescue" medications provide fast, temporary relief from sudden and severe asthma symptoms. They are only taken when needed to relieve an asthma flare-up, prevent the onset of an impending asthma episode, or to reverse an attack. They are all inhaled medications.

Rescue Medications: Short-Acting Bronchodilators and Anticholinergics

Short-Acting Bronchodilators

Short-acting bronchodilators also relax the bronchial muscles, but act quickly to relieve asthma symptoms.

You can usually begin to feel your symptoms subsiding within 20 minutes or less. The medication continues to provide relief for about four to six hours.

Anticholinergic

An anticholinergic blocks the production of mucus in the airways. This helps to free up more space in the already swollen and squeezed air passages.

Anticholinergics are often paired with a short-acting bronchodilator to improve effectiveness. They can take up to a full hour to begin working.  

(Edited by uscmedic at 4:07 pm on Feb. 15, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
GO GAMECOCKS!

Introduction:
- Testicular Cancer is cancer of the testes
- It is the most common form of cancer in men aged 15-45
- It is easily detectable and has one of the highest cure rates of any cancer (99%) when noticed early
- An average male has a 0.25% change of contracting testicular cancer
- Lance Armstrong (Tour de France winner) recovered from a bout of testicular cancer

Symptoms:
- These should be checked for once a month, after a hot shower (because the scrotum is looser). This is called a Testicular Self-Examination
- A Testicular Self-Examination is the primary means of detection
- Symptoms to look out for include:
+ a lump in/on one testicle
+ pain, aching and tenderness in the testicles
+ blood in semen during ejaculation
+ build-up of fluid in the scrotum
+ a dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
+ an increase, or significant decrease, in the size of one testicle
- Any symptoms should be reported to a doctor as soon as possible

Pathology:
- 95% of testicular cancers are in the germ cells (the cells that secrete sperm)
- The cancer has 3 stages:
+ Stage 1: The cancer is entirely within the testes - this is when most cancers are/should be detected
+ Stage 2: The cancer has spread to the nearest lymph nodes (in this case in the abdomen)
+ Stage 3: The cancer has delocalised completely and may well have infected vital organs (lungs, kidney, stomach) - this stage causes fatality as it disables vital organs

Treatment:
- Surgery:
+ A cancer is removed from a testicle, leaving the testicle functioning. This is rarely practical
+ The cancerous testicle is removed, leaving the patient virile. This is more common.
+ During surgery, the lymph nodes are normally checked to ensure that the cancer is still in Stage 1
- Radiotherapy:
+ Seldom used due to side-effects and ineffectiveness. Normally used just to prevent fragmentation tumors from spreading.

- Chemotherapy:
+ Used to treat Stage 2/3 cancers
+ Average survival rate depends on stage of cancer
+ still effective

After treatment:
- Most patients still retain at least 1 functioning testicle and therefore remain fertile
- Stage 1 detection leads to a survival rate of nearly 100%

Links:
Guide to performing a Testicular Self-Examination complete with pictures!: http://www.icr.ac.uk/everyman/about/testicular.html
Rachel Stevens giving some testicular cancer advice (so gratuitous...): http://www.icr.ac.uk/everyman/rachelgetsfruity/keyhole.swf

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_cancer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_self-examination
http://tcrc.acor.org/
http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Cancertype/Testes
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/Mosby_factsheets/testicular_cancer.html

(Edited by uscmedic at 9:13 am on Feb. 20, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
GO GAMECOCKS!

Basics:
- An anxiety-based psychiatric disorder which is one of the 10 most dehabilitating conditions
- Sufferer experiences obsessive compulsions to do rituals
+ These rituals are personal to the sufferer

Prevalence:
- Difficult to determine as OCD is very personal and has different degrees
+ Conservative estimates suggest 2-3% of the US population suffers from a form of OCD

Symptoms:
- The symptoms are divisible into 2 parts; obsessions and compulsions:

Obsessions:
- These are ideas/anxieties that the sufferer cannot stop thinking about
- They are normally frequent and negative
+ Examples include: fears of illness, or getting hurt
- As a result of constantly and repeatedly worrying about an obsession, extreme levels of stress and anxiety build up
- As a result sufferers feel forced into compulsive behaviour

Compulsions:
- These normally take the form of rituals
+ Rituals often have very complex details that to an outsider would seem completely arbitary
~ Examples include: doing everything in increasing powers of 2 - A friend of mine with OCD ended up riding round the circle line of the London underground 8 times
+ These can either be mental (e.g. counting or repeating phrases to oneself) or observable (checking the car is locked repeatedly)
- Rituals are normally performed to defer, or to soothe and obsession and thus to avoid the anxiety/stress associated with the obsession
- Example: Someone with an obsesses about getting ill might wash repeatedly or avoid any mess, or even untidiness, meticulously
- Rituals are the things that make OCD so dehabilitating as they can take up several hours per day being performed
- Rituals should be distinguished from addictions as they are performed to avoid anxiety and no pleasure is gained; the sufferer does not want to perform them, but feels as though he/she has no choice

Causes:
- Not fully understood; it is difficult to tell whether an abnormality associated with OCD is a cause, or an effect
- The most widely believed explanation is that it is due to abnormalities in the seratonin complex; researchers have found abnormalities in the hSERT gene in unrelated people with OCD
- There are links with drug addiction, but this is often effect. However, addictions can sometimes trigger OCD.
- Can also be partly triggered by childhood streptococcal infections

Related conditions:
- Drug addiction as a means of coping
- Depression as the condition seems unescapable to the sufferer
- More prevolent in above average intelligence as the condition requires complex (if illogical) chains of thought

Treatment:
- Behavioural/Cognitive therapy (BT/CBT) helped by certain medicines
+ The BT/CBT technique used is exposure and ritual prevention
+ This is where the sufferer is exposed to the obsession and then is acclimatised to not performing the associated ritual
~ Example: Touching a tissue that touched a ruler that touched a wallet that touched a newspaper that came from a newsagent ("contaminated" location, therefore exposure) and then not washing hands (ritual prevention)
+ Drugs provide temporary relief and include SSRIs (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors) and inositol sugar

Sources:
http://www.wikipedia.org
http://www.ocdaction.org.uk
http://www.ocduk.org
http://www.ocdonline.com

(Edited by uscmedic at 9:21 am on Feb. 20, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
GO GAMECOCKS!

Hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek---hydro means water, and cephalus means head.  This neurological condition occurs when there is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside each of the four ventricles of the brain.  The CSF, which is normally clear and colorless, surrounds the brain and spinal cord, protecting from injury.  This fluid normally flows through one ventricle to the next, and is kept over the surface of the brain and down the spinal cord.  This colorless fluid is finally absorbed into the blood stream.  When the circulation or absorption of CSF is blocked, or a large amount of fluid is produced, the volume of the brain becomes excessively larger then normal.  Because the skull of babies does not fuse quickly, the accumulation of this fluid causes the head to enlarge due to the swelling of the ventricles.  The image the left was complements of Silvia Helena Cardoso, PhD. Psychobiologist, master and doctor in Sciences by the University of São Paulo.  It shows the flow of CSF in the ventricles of a normal individual in comparison to an individual with Hydrocephalus, displaying enlarged ventricles.
 
Symptoms:

Hydrocephalus in children is usually associated with the following symptoms:

Drowsiness
Difficulty in walking
Enlarged head circumference
The infant may have developmental delays
The older child may complain of headaches
Difficulty walking, nausea or vomiting
Lack of energy (lethargy)
Blurred vision
Dizziness

***Keep in mind that degree of symptoms vary from individual to individual, depending on the severity of condition***

Diagnosed:

In premature infants, the neurosurgeon will feel the soft spot on the cranium where the sutures of the skull are un-fused.  In addition, the physician will also measure head circumference and compare to infants of the same age level.  Because the CSF contains many of the daily nutrients needed, a disruption of the normal pathway may prevent the brain from getting the efficient amount of nutrients causing a number of vessels of the brain to shut down.  As a result, neurosurgeons may check for a startling response in full-term infants.  This will allow the physician to observe loss of sensation in areas of the body.  In addition, a history of the patient will be obtained in order to detect deviations in development.  The physician may also look through the patient's eyes to detect for papilledema.  The neurosurgeon will place a index finger in from of the child's face and ask the child to follow the finger up and down.  This is done to check for possible paralysis of the sixth cranial nerve, which controls side to side eye movements.  The physician may also ask for an Ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), or a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI).
The image below is an ultrasound of a patient with spinal bifida, with Hydrocephalus associated.  The "Lemon-Shape," as shown by the arrows, indicates abnormalities.  It shows the frontal view on an infants head.  Picture courtesy of Dr.Holbrook Jr. M.D. Associate Professor, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stanford University Science

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to regulate CSF as normally as possible.  Surgical interventions are the primary treatment of Hydrocephalus.  This is done by the placement of a shunt.  A shunt is tube which drains the CSF into areas of the body where it can be reabsorbed.  This tube is inserted so that the upper end of the shunt is in the ventricle of the brain, and the lower end is in the abdomen.  The image below was taken from the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.  It is an example of a shunt in place.  It is important to notice that Hydrocephalus can only be treated, but not cured.

Side Effects:

Many patient's with Hydrocephalus experience side effects.  Once again, side effects vary from individual to individual.  How Hydrocephalus affects individuals greatly depends on how one's brain and body adapt to the shunt.  The table below, which was complements of The Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc., displays the common problems associated with Hydrocephalus
According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke  "The prognosis for patients diagnosed with hydrocephalus is difficult to predict, although there is some correlation between the specific cause of the hydrocephalus and the patient's outcome. Prognosis is further complicated by the presence of associated disorders, the timeliness of diagnosis, and the success of treatment. The degree to which decompression (relief of CSF pressure or buildup) following shunt surgery can minimize or reverse damage to the brain is not well understood. Affected individuals and their families should be aware that hydrocephalus poses risks to both cognitive and physical development. However, many children diagnosed with the disorder benefit from rehabilitation therapies and educational interventions, and go on to lead normal lives with few limitations. Treatment by an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and educational experts is critical to a positive outcome. Treatment of patients with hydrocephalus is life-saving and life-sustaining. Left untreated, progressive hydrocephalus is, with rare exceptions, fatal."

High-Risk Newborn
Hydrocephalus

Causes:

Hydrocephalus occurs in approximately one out of 500 births. The following are the primary reasons why hydrocephalus occurs:

blockage of the CSF flow inside of the head
problems with the body absorbing the CSF
overproduction of the CSF
Hydrocephalus can occur either as a condition present at birth (congenital), or it can be acquired later in life. When hydrocephalus is not related to a known genetic cause, it is thought that many factors, both genetic and environmental, contribute to the condition. In a small percentage of babies, a single gene defect on the X chromosome, or another chromosome, is responsible for the condition. In these cases, the chance for recurrence is higher. Once a child has been born with hydrocephalus that is not known to be caused by a single gene defect, the chance for it to happen again in another child is 1 to 5 percent.

Causes of acquired hydrocephalus may include the following:

tumor
infection
prematurity
bleeding inside the head
birth injury
abnormal blood vessel formation inside of the head
trauma
What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?
The following are the most common symptoms of hydrocephalus in babies. However, each baby may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include the following:

a full or bulging fontanel (soft spot located on the top of the head)
increasing head circumference
seizures
bulging eyes and an inability of the baby to look upward with the head facing forward
very noticeable scalp veins
increased irritability
high-pitched cry
poor feeding
projectile vomiting
sleepiness or less alert than usual
developmental delays

The symptoms of hydrocephalus may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your baby's physician for a diagnosis.

Life-long considerations:

Hydrocephalus can affect the brain and a baby's development. The extent of the problem is dependent on the severity of the hydrocephalus, and the presence of brain or other organ system problems.

The key to treating hydrocephalus is early detection, treatment, and prevention of infection. A baby with hydrocephalus requires frequent medical evaluations to ensure proper shunt function. The medical team works hard with your family to provide education and guidance as your baby grows and develops.

Genetic counseling may be recommended by your baby's physician to discuss the risk of recurrence in a future pregnancies, as well as prenatal testing for hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus is the condition of excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation in the head that is caused by disturbance of formation, flow, or absorption. The term stems from the Greek, hydor (water) and cephali (head).

Infantile hydrocephalus can be associated with congenital anomalies, such as aqueduct stenosis, spina bifida, and Arnold-Chiari malformation; it can also be associated with less common conditions, such as Dandy-Walker syndrome and encephaloceles. Of these, the most frequent is aqueduct stenosis. It can be associated with acquired conditions such as perinatal intraventricular hemorrhage and meningitis. It can also occur after closed head injury.

Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida:

The outcome of patients with spina bifida has also improved. In a review of a cohort of patients treated in the 1970s for spina bifida aperta, 52% of the patients were alive at 20 years. Most of the deaths occurred in the first year of life, mostly because of renal and respiratory problems associated with the spina bifida. Only a few of the deaths were related to hydrocephalus. In a similar but more recent review of children treated in the 1980s, only 27% died, most of them in the first year of life, from causes not related to hydrocephalus but to the spina bifida. In a recent survey of adults with spina bifida, 6% of patients died because of shunt-related problems or after craniovertebral decompression for Chiari malformation.

Problem: Hydrocephalus can be caused by increased production of CSF or impaired circulation and absorption. Hydrocephalus caused by impaired circulation is called obstructive hydrocephalus because an anatomic block to CSF circulation is present. Hydrocephalus caused by increased production or impaired absorption is called communicating hydrocephalus because no anatomic block to CSF circulation exists. According to some authorities, all cases of hydrocephalus are obstructive, ie, the cases with communicating hydrocephalus have a functional obstruction at the final stage of absorption at the arachnoid granulations.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/hw/raising_a_family/hw198129.asp?src=Inktomi&condition=healthwise

http://sun.science.wayne.edu/~bio340/StudentPages/Gumma/

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_hrnewborn/hcp.cfm

http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic2976.htm

(Edited by uscmedic at 10:11 am on Feb. 24, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
GO GAMECOCKS!

Overview

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of the endocrine system occurring in 5-10% of women.

Causes

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown; however, it is likely hereditary.

Symptoms

There are many symptoms of PCOS and many women affected by the disease experience only two or three symptoms. The most common are:

• absent or irregular menstrual periods
  
• obesity, especially when weight is concentrated around the lower torso
  
• infertility and miscarriages
  
• acne and/or oily skin
  
• skin tags
  
• dark patches of skin
  
• sleep apnea
  
• extended periods of PMS-like symptoms, such as bloating, cramping, mood swings, pelvis pain, backaches, headaches

Diagnosis

A blood test or series of blood tests will be ordered to examine hormone levels. An ultrasound can also be an aid in diagnosing PCOS.

Treatment

Common treatments for PCOS include:

• oral contraceptives
  
• anti-androgen therapy
  
• insulin-lowering medications such as metformin hydrochloride (Glucophage®), pioglitazone hydrochloride (Actos®), and rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia®)

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCOS
  
• Barbee’s endocrinologist

(Edited by RelientKFan824 at 8:42 pm on Feb. 25, 2006)

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And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Overview:
"Goldenhar Syndrome is an 'umbrella' term for a wide range of bone abnormalities affecting the face and sometimes the vertebrae. It has been proven not to be genetic."

Dr Maurice Goldenhar was the first to identify the syndrome (hence the name given) in 1952, but since then little has been discovered about its causes and is generally termed as sporadic. Goldenhar Syndrome has little to no effect on an affected child's intelligence or life span, but is more a physical deformity based syndrome.

Symptoms:

Small, missing or misshapen ears, skin tags (usually in front of the ear, around the lobe)
Mouth opening larger on one side Underdevelopment of the muscles of the face Spinal vertebrae fused, missing or not formed on one side
Ribs misshapen on one side
Eyes - dermoid cyst over the eye, missing eye Middle ear abnormalities (nearly all of the children have hearing loss on the abnormal side)
Cleft lip/cleft palate
Breathing difficulties - some of the children with Goldenhar have required a tracheostomy soon after birth
Feeding problems - some of the children have had difficulty swallowing and required tube feeding Internal problems such as kidney or heart (heart are less common but, occasionally, are found with this syndrome.

The most common features of the Syndrome are the underdevelopment of one ear due to underdevelopment of the jaw and or cheek on the same side of the face. With this there are often abnormalities of the middle ear, and the ear canal may most often be absent, deafness is also extremely common. The eye abnormalities include small eyes, squints and 'notches' on the eyelids.
Severe cases of Goldenhar Syndrome may also have heart or kidney problems, and breathing problems that cause a sufferer to stop breathing during sleep. In most cases this is rarely fatal but needs to be monitored. In a small percentage of cases learning difficulties may be present and are mostly language problems due to vasrying degrees of deafness, but there may also be speech and swallowing problems.

Babies born with Goldenhar Syndrome usually have weight gain difficulties in the first two years of life and the identification of the syndrome is made clinically rather than through DNA as no DNA abnormality has been found. Causes have been known to be linked by one or both parents being exposed to radiation however.

Sources:
Information courtesy of http://www.goldenhar.org.uk  

(Edited by uscmedic at 1:20 pm on Mar. 7, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
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What is the Marfan syndrome?

The Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder. Connective tissue provides substance and support to tendons, ligaments, blood vessel walls, cartilage, heart valves and many other structures. In the Marfan syndrome, the chemical makeup of the connective tissue isn't normal. As a result, many of these structures aren't as stiff as they should be.

The Marfan syndrome is inherited and affects many parts of the body. There's no single conclusive test for diagnosing it, but people who have it often have many similar traits. Besides perhaps having heart problems, people with the Marfan syndrome are often tall and thin. They also may have slender, tapering fingers, long arms and legs, curvature of the spine and eye problems. Sometimes the Marfan syndrome is so mild that few (if any) symptoms exist. In the most severe cases, which are rare, life-threatening problems may occur at any age.

What are the blood vessel problems?

In the Marfan syndrome, the walls of the major arteries are weakened. The aorta, the major artery that leaves the heart, often is affected. When this occurs, it gets bigger (dilates), which can weaken the inner aortic wall. Under strenuous exertion, the aorta wall can tear. Blood can leak through these tears into the aortic wall, separating its layers -- a process called aortic dissection (dih-SEK'shun). Another problem that may occur if the aortic wall weakens is that an aneurysm (AN'u-rizm) may form.

What are the cardiac valve problems?

The Marfan syndrome can involve any of the four heart valves. The two most important ones, however, are the mitral and aortic valves. Blood may leak backward through a valve, increasing the heart's workload. As a result, over time the heart may enlarge. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common but usually less significant valve problem. People without the Marfan syndrome can have mitral valve prolapse, but those with the Marfan syndrome often have an oversized mitral valve. As it closes, the valve billows (prolapses) back into the left atrium. This causes abnormal heart sounds, which a doctor can hear with a stethoscope.

How do you treat the Marfan syndrome?

Once the Marfan syndrome has been diagnosed, regular visits with a cardiologist are needed. Chest X-rays and Doppler echo tests are usually performed. Other tests also may be necessary.

Different people may need different types of treatment. Some people may not need treatment, but others may need drugs that lower heart rate, blood pressure or both. When the aorta or aortic valve develop major problems, surgery is usually advised.

People with the Marfan syndrome who have an abnormal heart or who've had heart surgery for their Marfan syndrome risk developing an infection of the heart wall or heart valve (endocarditis). This happens when bacteria enter the bloodstream. To prevent this, antibiotics are given before certain dental or surgical procedures.

What about lifestyle changes?

* Physical activities - Because the Marfan syndrome appears in many forms, recommendations about exercise vary widely. For example, people with dilation of the aorta may be asked to avoid the usual team sports. Isometric exercises (such as weight lifting or rowing) and contact sports in which a blow to the chest could occur (such as football or hockey) also may be off-limits. Many people with the Marfan syndrome can participate in modified physical and recreational activities. A cardiologist can give advice about this.

* Pregnancy - During pregnancy (and especially during delivery) stress to the aorta's walls greatly increases the risk of dissection or rupture. That's why pregnancy isn't advised for women with the Marfan syndrome who have a dilated aorta. There's also a good chance that people with the disease may pass it on to their children."

Direct quote. Source: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4672

-Submitted by OpethGirl69.  

(Edited by uscmedic at 9:24 pm on June 1, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
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What is achondroplasia?

Achondroplasia is a genetic disorder of bone growth that is evident at birth. It affects about one in every 25,000 births and it occurs in all races and in both sexes. Its depiction in ancient Egyptian art makes it one of the oldest recorded birth defects.

It is the most common of a group of growth defects characterized by abnormal body proportions — affected individuals have arms and legs that are very short, while the torso is more nearly normal size.

The word achondroplasia is derived from Greek and means "without cartilage formation," although individuals with achondroplasia do have cartilage. During fetal development and childhood, cartilage normally develops into bone, except in a few places, such as the nose and ears. In individuals with achondroplasia, something goes wrong during this process, especially in the long bones (such as those of the upper arms and thighs). The rate at which cartilage cells in the growth plates of the long bones turn into bone is slow, leading to short bones and reduced height.

What does a person with achondroplasia look like?

A child with achondroplasia has a relatively normal torso and short arms and legs. The upper arms and thighs are more shortened than the forearms and lower legs. Generally, the head is large, the forehead is prominent and the nose is flat at the bridge. Sometimes, the large head size reflects hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain), and require surgery.

Hands are short with stubby fingers. There is a separation between the middle and ring fingers (trident hand). Most individuals with achondroplasia eventually reach an adult height of about 4 feet.

How does achondroplasia affect development?

Before beginning to walk, a baby with achondroplasia often develops a small hump (kyphosis) on his upper back. This is due to poor muscle tone, and usually goes away after the child starts walking.

Babies with achondroplasia should not be placed in umbrella-type strollers or other carriers that do not provide good back support, because lack of support can contribute to development of a hump in the back. Once walking, the child usually develops a markedly curved lower spine (lordosis or sway- back), and the lower legs often become bowed. The feet are generally short, broad and flat.

Because of the large head, short arms and legs, poor muscle tone and loose joints, a baby with achondroplasia is slow to sit, stand and walk alone. Though babies with achondroplasia may be delayed in these motor skills, they generally have normal intelligence. Children with achondroplasia also have narrow passages in the nose that can contribute to ear infections and, without treatment, to hearing loss. Due to a small jaw, teeth may be crowded and upper and lower teeth may be poorly aligned.

Low back and leg pains are common in adolescents and adults, partly because there is pressure on the spinal cord from a small spinal canal. This pressure on the spinal cord also can cause paralysis of the legs, requiring surgery to relieve the pressure.

Occasionally, a baby or young child with achondroplasia may die suddenly, often during sleep.These deaths are thought to result from compression of the upper end of the spinal cord, which can interfere with breathing. The compression is caused by abnormalities in the size and structure of the opening in the base of the skull (foramen magnum) and vertebrae in the neck through which the spinal cord descends.

All babies and young children with achondroplasia should be monitored for foramen magnum compression (using tests such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). When necessary, surgery can widen the opening and relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Breathing problems also may develop as a result of small chest size, large tonsils and small facial structure.

What causes achondroplasia?

Achondroplasia is caused by an abnormal gene located on one of the chromosome 4 pair (humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes). In some cases, a child inherits achondroplasia from a parent who also has the condition. If one parent has the condition and the other does not, there is a 50 percent chance that their child will be affected. If both parents have achondroplasia, there is a 50 percent chance that the child will inherit the condition, a 25 percent chance that the child will not have it, and a 25 percent chance that the child will inherit one abnormal gene from each parent and have severe skeletal abnormalities that lead to early death. A child who does not inherit the gene will be completely free of the condition, and cannot pass it on to his or her own children.

In more than 80 percent of cases, however, achondroplasia is not inherited but results from a new mutation (change) that occurred in the egg or sperm cell that formed the embryo. The parents of children with achondroplasia resulting from new mutations are usually normal-sized.

Typically, these parents have no other children with achondroplasia, and the chances of their having a second affected child are extremely small. Geneticists have observed that older-than-average fathers (age 40 and older) are more likely to have children with achondroplasia and certain other autosomal dominant conditions caused by new mutations. Individuals with achondroplasia resulting from new mutations transmit the disorder to their children as described above.

Can achondroplasia be diagnosed before birth?

In 1994, researchers identified the gene that causes achondroplasia. This discovery allowed the development of highly accurate prenatal tests that can diagnose or rule out achondroplasia. These tests can be offered when both expectant parents have achondroplasia. In such cases, the baby has a one- in-four chance of inheriting an abnormal gene from each parent and developing a fatal form of achondroplasia. After birth, it generally is diagnosed by physical examination and X-rays.

How is achondroplasia treated?

There currently is no way to normalize skeletal development of children with the disorder. Several medical centers are evaluating the use of human growth hormone for children with the disorder. To date, some children have achieved modest increases in growth; however, it is not yet known whether treatment will significantly increase their eventual adult height. Leg-lengthening surgeries can increase the height of someone with achondroplasia by up to 12 inches. These procedures require a long duration of treatment, however, and are associated with many complications. They should only be done in a center that is well- experienced in the procedure.

Infants and children with achondroplasia should be thoroughly evaluated for skeletal abnormalities by a doctor experienced with the disorder. The doctor will follow the child's growth using special charts of head and body growth developed for children with achondroplasia. If the head is becoming too large, the doctor will test the child for hydrocephalus and, if necessary, a neurosurgeon will insert a shunt to drain the excess fluid and relieve pressure on the brain. The child also will be monitored for bone abnormalities that may cause spinal cord compression with breathing difficulty or leg pain and paralysis. If kyphosis does not go away after a child begins walking, it may have to be corrected by surgery. Bowing of the legs, especially if it becomes severe or causes pain, also can be corrected with surgery.

Children with achondroplasia often require placement of middle- ear drainage tubes. This helps to prevent the hearing loss that can occur with frequent ear infections. Dental problems caused by overcrowding of teeth may require extra routine care and braces and, sometimes, removal of one or more teeth. Children with achondroplasia also tend to put on extra weight, starting in early childhood. Because excessive weight can further aggravate skeletal problems, they should receive nutritional guidance to help prevent obesity.

Can achondroplasia be prevented?

There is no way to prevent the majority of cases of achondroplasia, since these births result from totally unexpected gene mutations in unaffected parents. Genetic counseling can help affected adults make informed decisions about family planning."

Driect Quote. Source: http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1204.asp

Fact: Popular teen icon "Weeman" has achondroplasia.

-Submitted by OpethGirl69

(Edited by uscmedic at 9:26 pm on June 1, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
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Eczema, or dermatitis as it is sometimes called, is a group of skin conditions which can affect all age groups. In the United Kingdom, up to one fifth of all children of school age have eczema, along with about one in twelve of the adult population. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, eczema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of eczema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

The causes of eczema are many and varied, and depend on the particular type of eczema that a person has. Atopic eczema is thought to be a hereditary condition, being genetically linked. It is proposed that people with atopic eczema are sensitive to allergens in the environment which are harmless to others. In atopy there is an excessive reaction by the immune system producing inflamed, irritated and sore skin. Associated atopic conditions include asthma and hayfever. Other types of eczema are caused by irritants such as chemicals and detergents, allergens such as nickel, and yeast growths. In later years eczema can be caused by a blood circulatory problems in the legs. The causes of certain types of eczema remain to be explained, though links with environmental factors and stress are being explored.

There are several different types of eczema, many of which look similar but have very different causes and treatments. The first step in effective treatment of eczema is a correct diagnosis. It is very important to see a general practitioner in the first instance, who may make a referral to a specialist dermatologist for further diagnosis and treatment.

Atopic eczema

Atopic eczema is the commonest form of eczema and is closely linked with asthma and hayfever. It can affect both children and adults, usually running in families. One of the most common symptoms of atopic eczema is its itchiness (or pruritis), which can be almost unbearable. Other symptoms include overall dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation. Constant scratching can also cause the skin to split, leaving it prone to infection. In infected eczema the skin may crack and weep (‘wet’ eczema). Treatments include emollients to maintain skin hydration and steroids to reduce inflammation.

Allergic contact dermatitis

Develops when the body’s immune system reacts against a substance in contact with the skin. The allergic reaction often develops over a period of time through repeated contact with the substance. For example, an allergic reaction may occur to nickel, which is often found in earrings, belt buckles and jeans buttons. Reactions can also occur after contact with other substances such as perfumes and rubber. In order to prevent repeated reactions it is best to prevent contact with anything that you know causes a rash.

Irritant contact dermatitis

This is a type of eczema caused by frequent contact with everyday substances, such as detergents and chemicals, which are irritating to the skin. It most commonly occurs on the hands of adults and can be prevented by avoiding the irritants and keeping the skin moisturised.

Infantile seborrhoeic eczema

A common condition affecting babies under one year old, the exact cause of which is unknown. Also referred to as cradle cap, it usually starts on the scalp or the nappy area and quickly spreads. Although this type of eczema looks unpleasant, it is not sore or itchy and does not cause the baby to feel uncomfortable or unwell. Normally this type of eczema will clear in just a few months, though the use of moisturising creams and bath oils can help to speed this along.

Adult seborrhoeic eczema

Characteristically affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40. It is usually seen on the scalp as mild dandruff, but can spread to the face, ears and chest. The skin becomes red, inflamed and starts to flake. The condition is believed to be caused by a yeast growth. If the condition becomes infected, treatment with an anti-fungal cream may be necessary.

Varicose eczema

Varicose eczema affects the lower legs of those in their middle to late years, being caused by poor circulation. Commonly the skin around the ankles is affected, becoming speckled, itchy and inflamed. Treatment is with emollients and steroid creams. If left untreated, the skin can break down, resulting in an ulcer.

Discoid eczema

Is usually found in adults and appears suddenly as a few coin shaped areas of red skin, normally on the trunk or lower legs. They become itchy and can weep fluid. Usually discoid eczema is treated with emollients (and steroid creams if necessary).

There is currently no cure for eczema though research continues to shed new light on the condition. However, there are many ways to minimise the discomfort and distress which eczema can bring, the foundation of which is an effective skin care routine. A wide range of treatments is available, either over the counter at the pharmacy, or on prescription from a doctor. Many complementary therapies are available, which some people find helpful. In addition, there are ways of minimising environmental allergens commonly found in the home.

There are no guarantees that a child will grow out of eczema. However, research has shown that 60-70% of children are virtually clear of the condition by the time they reach their mid-teens.

There are a number of ways to manage eczema, all of which begin with an effective skin care routine. Having access to accurate information is important as this allows the person with eczema, or their carer, to make informed choices when managing the condition. The following are the more commonly used treatments. Further information on any of these can be obtained through the National Eczema Society.

Emollients

Emollients are necessary to reduce water loss from the skin, preventing the dryness normally associated with eczema. By providing a seal or barrier, the skin is less dry, itchy and more comfortable. Emollients are safe to use as often as is necessary and are available in various forms: ointments for very dry skin, creams and lotions for mild to moderate or ‘wet’ eczema. Some are applied directly to the skin, whilst others are used as soap substitutes or can be added to the bath. The range of emollients available is enormous and it may be necessary to try several before the most suitable one is found. Testing a small amount on the skin first is advisable, as emollients contain substances to which some people are sensitive.

Topical steroids

When eczema is under control only emollients need to be used. However in flare-ups, when the skin becomes inflamed, a steroid cream may be needed. Steroids act by reducing inflammation and are used in most types of eczema. Topical steroids come in four different strengths, mild, moderately potent, potent and very potent. The strength of steroid cream that a doctor prescribes depends on the age of the patient, the severity of the condition and, the size of the area and part of the body to be treated. Topical steroids are applied thinly to the affected area, as directed by the prescribing doctor. Your eczema should be reviewed regularly if topical steroids are being applied. It is important to use only the steroid cream prescribed for yourself and not to lend or borrow (what may be) an unsuitable cream from someone else. Many people have concerns regarding the use of topical steroids and their side-effects. As long as steroids are used appropriately and as directed by your doctor, the likelihood of side effects is very rare. Reported side-effects have been largely due to the use of very potent steroid preparations over long periods of time.

Oral steroids

are sometimes prescribed in very severe cases and usually under the direction of a consultant dermatologist, when topical steroids have been found to be ineffective. These can have possible side-effects and the doctor should ensure close monitoring when prescribed.

Topical Immunomodulators

These are new drugs available for use in the treatment of atopic eczema:

Our information is currently under revision and will be updated by Easter 2006.

Other treatments

that your doctor may discuss are anti-histamines to reduce inflammation and wet wrap bandaging to soothe dry itchy skin. Ultra Violet light treatment and stronger medication may be considered for very severe eczema.

As well as using emollients and steroids there are several other ways which may help to reduce the severity of atopic eczema. It should be stressed, however, that what works for one person, will not always work for another. Eczema is a highly individual condition, which is why it is so difficult to find a "cure-all".

Reducing the itch

For children in particular, the itchiness of eczema can be very distressing. There are many methods of reducing the itchiness of the skin and minimising the damage from scratching. Cotton clothing and bedding keep the skin cool and allow it to breathe, whereas synthetic fabrics and wool can irritate. The use of a non-biological washing powder and avoidance of fabric softeners, can also help to reduce the itchiness of the skin. Children’s nails should be kept short. During the day, distraction is often the best way of reducing the amount of scratching. At night-time, cotton mittens over children’s hands can be helpful in reducing damage to the skin occurring during sleep.

Reducing the effect of the house dust mite

It is thought that people who have atopic eczema may be affected by allergens in the droppings of the house dust mite. This mite thrives in warm and moist environments and unfortunately likes to live in bedding, mattresses, curtains and carpets. It is believed that reducing the amount of house dust mites in the home may improve the condition of the skin. This can be achieved in a number of ways, from effective and regular vacuuming, to damp dusting and airing of bedding.

The role of diet in the management of eczema has not been ascertained. Generally changes in diet are only considered in severe cases, when conventional treatments are failing. Dietary changes can be quite helpful in babies and young children, though the effects on older children and adults are less conclusive. When considering altering the diet of a baby or child it is important to seek advice from a dietitian, or a nutritional therapist, in order to ensure that the child continues to receive adequate nutrients. Sometimes it can be useful to keep an accurate diary of foods eaten and the condition of the eczema and, when weaning babies, to do so very slowly observing for skin reactions. This is a large and complex topic. Further information can be obtained from the National Eczema Society.

Many people prefer to explore the use of complementary therapies in addition, or as an alternative, to conventional treatments. Complementary therapists offer a holistic approach which is usually based upon the individual’s needs. Evening primrose oil is now commonly used and other treatments such as aromatherapy, relaxation and homeopathy are readily available. Chinese herbal treatments may be used, but should only be tried after consultation with your doctor or dermatologist.

Though many people have found the use of complementary therapies helpful, there has only been limited scientific evaluation of complementary treatments and so it is important to consider the following:

It is essential to let your doctor know if you are starting another course of treatment, since interactions can occur between certain medications. Conventional treatments should not be stopped suddenly, without consulting your doctor.

Ensure that the practitioner is properly qualified and registered with the appropriate regulatory body.

Remember that a treatment which is described as natural or herbal is not guaranteed to be safe.

What works for one person will often not work for another.

Direct Quote. Source: http://www.eczema.org/faqfile.htm#whatis[/i]  

(Edited by uscmedic at 5:14 pm on July 6, 2006)

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NREMT-Paramedic
#6 South Carolina Gamecocks (5-1, 3-1)
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