health and living

What causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease? The cause of CJD and other TSE diseases is due to the abnormality of a protein called a prion. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease belongs to a broad group of human and animal diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). The cause of CJD and other TSE diseases is due to the abnormality of a …

Radon is a naturally occurring invisible radioactive gas that is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. The safe level of radon at home, as recommended by Environmental Protection Act (EPA), is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or 148 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3) (‘picocurie’ and ‘becquerel’ are common units for measuring the amount of radioactivity). Levels above this are dangerous …

There is no medication to treat guinea worm disease or a vaccine to prevent infection. There is no medication to treat guinea worm disease or a vaccine to prevent infection. Treatment can only begin when the wound is formed on the skin and the adult worm emerges through it. Treatment involves removing the worm manually by a healthcare professional. When …

The life expectancy in this syndrome has increased to greater than 25% since 1972. People who are accurately diagnosed, adapt proper lifestyles and receive appropriate medical and surgical management may live for a normal life span (into their 70s). However, there are no guarantees. Having Marfan syndrome does not mean patients might not acquire other conditions that are common in …

The life expectancy is normal as long as breathing problems during infancy are managed well. A patient diagnosed with Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) may expect to have approximately the same lifetime as the general population with proper management and a healthy lifestyle. The life expectancy is normal as long as breathing problems during infancy are managed well. However, the outlook depends on …

Infants with BH4 deficiency appear normal at birth. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiency is a neurological condition characterized by abnormalities in the production and regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin. Tetrahydrobiopterin, a naturally occurring chemical substance, which helps to enhance the functions of certain enzymes. Deficiency of BH4 leads to abnormally high levels of the amino acid, phenylalanine, and low levels of certain neurotransmitters in …

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects a person with diabetes. The four stages of diabetic retinopathy include: Mild nonproliferative retinopathy (background retinopathy): In this stage, there are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the tiny blood vessels of the retina. These swellings, also known as microaneurysms, may cause the vessels to leak small amounts of blood in the retinas. …

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the disease of motor neurons. The earliest signs of ALS usually include muscle weakness or stiffness (spasticity). ALS typically affects all muscles under voluntary control, and the person ultimately loses their strength and ability to eat, speak, grasp things, move, and even breathe. They find it difficult to perform routine tasks such as feeding themselves …

The exact cause of lichen sclerosus (LS) flares is unknown. Health experts suggest that several factors may cause LS: Genetic factors: LS seems to occur more frequently in certain families. A person may be predisposed to getting the condition because of their genes. Such people may get LS symptoms when exposed to any injury, stress, or sexual abuse. Immune system …

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. In this disease, there is an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism, so they affect almost all the organs of the body. Hyperthyroidism predominantly affects the following organs: Heart: The abnormally high heart rhythm, …