Neurofibromatosis

The dominant autosomal genetic disorder that causes the growth of tumours or neurofibromas on the nerve tissues is known as neurofibromatosis. These neurofibromas are soft in texture and are found throughout the body. These tumours are generally non-cancerous. The non-nerve tissues like that of the skin and the bones are also affected sometimes as a result of this neuraofibromatosis. This is a rare disease and both sexes are affected equally.

German pathologist Friedrich Daniel von Recklinghausen was the first to discover neurofibromatosis in the year 1882.
Types of Neurofibromatosis

Neurofibromatosis is a rare disease that is generally seen in its common form. But in some cases, it can be seen in some rare forms too. They are:

Neurofibromatosis types I or the “Von Rec klinghausen disease”. The occurrence is one among 3500 cases.

Neurofibromatosis type II or the “MISME Syndrome”. This is as rare as one among 40,000 cases.

Schwannomatosis is genetically and clinically different from neurofibromatosis types I and II. This also occurs in one among 40,000 patients.

Apart from these also there are five more rare forms of neurofibromatosis.
What are the Symptoms of Neurofibromatosis
The symptoms differ more or less according to the type of neurofibromatosis. They are as follows:

Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Presence of birthmark that is coffee-colored, commonly termed as “cafe-au-lait” spot. These spots would be at least six in number from the time of birth or they tend to develop within five years of age.

Formation of lumps under the skin is seen after puberty. These lumps grow in size.

High blood pressure also is common among the victims.

Spinal curvature of the afflicted person is often abnormal.

Speech problem as well as auditory problem is common occurrence.

Learning disability

Epilepsy

Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Formation of benign tumours internally

Hearing disability is also a common occurrence.

Tumours down the spine as well as brain tumours are a common occurrence in this malaise.

Cataracts

Skin tumours

Facial paralysis .

What are the Symptoms of Neurofibromatosis
The symptoms differ more or less according to the type of neurofibromatosis. They are as follows:

Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Presence of birthmark that is coffee-colored, commonly termed as “cafe-au-lait” spot. These spots would be at least six in number from the time of birth or they tend to develop within five years of age.

Formation of lumps under the skin is seen after puberty. These lumps grow in size.

High blood pressure also is common among the victims.

Spinal curvature of the afflicted person is often abnormal.

Speech problem as well as auditory problem is common occurrence.

Learning disability

Epilepsy

Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Formation of benign tumours internally

Hearing disability is also a common occurrence.

Tumours down the spine as well as brain tumours are a common occurrence in this malaise.

Cataracts

Skin tumours

Facial paralysis
Causes of Neurofibromatosis

The factors leading to neurofibromatosis are as follows:

Genetic factors—Neurofibromatosis Type 1 is caused by disorder in chromosome 17, and that in Type 2 is caused by chromosome 22.

Heredity—Neurofibromatosis can be in the family.

Regardless of sex, age, or ethnicity, neurofibromatosis can occur to anyone. But this is a rare disease, having a rate of one among 2500 individuals.
Diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis

The form of diagnosis of neurofibromatosis is as follows:

Lab Studies of mutation analysis using better and more sophisticated machines.

Imaging Studies, like the MRI scan of the brain and the spinal chord

Wood lamp examination to examine the spots in patients with pale skin

Slit lamp examination for children to examine the Lisch nodules.
Treatment for Neurofibromatosis

In most of the cases on neurofibromatosis, the tumours are benign, and thus do not need any special treatment that are generally recommended for malignant or cancerous tumors. But surgery is sometimes needed to remove the tumours. Other general treatment procedures are as follows that can be rendered as and when needed in accordance with the symptoms and complications:

Surgery to remove tumours

Treatment for epilepsy, if it occurs

Regular testing of vision and auditory abilities

Speech therapy

Special education fro students with learning disability

Counseling and genetic screening for families that have a history of neurofibromatosis

Biopsy of the tumours to make sure that they are non-cancerous

Constant monitoring of the tumours to detect growth changes and pain

Due to the wide range of complications involved in neurofibromatosis, a wide range of medical consultants are also needed for proper treatment of this disease. They are

Orthopedic consultants

Surgeons

Oncologists, if the growth is found to be malignant after biopsy

Psychiatrists for genetic counselling.

Coughsymptoms & causes

what is cough ?

Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder.

Some coughs are dry, while others are considered productive. A productive cough is one that brings up mucus. Mucus is also called phlegm or sputum.

Coughs can be either acute or chronic:

• Acute coughs usually begin suddenly. They are often due to a cold, flu, or sinus infection. They usually go away after 2 to 3 weeks.
• Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks.

Common symptoms.

Besides recent upper airways infections, such as the common cold and flu, other common causes of coughs include:

• Allergies and asthma
• Lung infections such as pneumonia or acute bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
• Sinusitis leading to postnasal drip
• Lung disease such as bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease, or tumors
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Cigarette smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Exposure to air pollutants
• ACE inhibitors (medications used to control blood pressure)

If a child has a barking cough, see croup.

self Care

Although coughing can be a troubling symptom, it is usually your body's way of healing. Here are some tips to help ease your cough:

• If you have a dry, tickling cough, try cough drops or hard candy. NEVER give these to a child under age 3, because they can cause choking.
• Use a vaporizer or take a steamy shower. Both these things increase the moisture in the air and can help soothe a dry throat.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Liquids help thin the mucus in your throat and make it easier to cough it up.

NOTE: Medical experts have recommended against using cough and cold drugs in children under age 6. Talk to your doctor before your child takes any type of over-the-counter cough medicine, even if it is labeled for children. These medicines likely will not work for children, and they may have serious side effects.

Medications available without a prescription include:

• Guaifensin helps break up mucus. Drink lots of fluids if you take this medicine.
• Decongestants help clear a runny nose and relieve postnasal drip. Do NOT give children under age 6 an over-the-counter decongestant unless specifically told to do so by your doctor. You should not take decongestants if you have high blood pressure.

Do not expect a doctor to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections like colds or flu. Antibiotics do not work on viruses. Antibiotics also will not help coughs from allergies.

Hand Eczema

• What is it?

Irritant contact hand eczema is a frequent disorder of the skin. In lay terms this disorder is sometimes known as "housewives eczema". It can occur at any age. Typically it appears as small fissures and cracks on the tips of the fingers. In severe cases the may be redness, scaling, crusting, and the palms may be involved. If the skin around the edges of the nails is involved the nails may become irregular.

• What causes it?

Sensitive hands when in contact with irritants become inflamed, and it is repeated minor irritations that cause your hand eczema. This is very difficult to tell from allergic contact hand eczema and patch testing may be needed to tell the two conditions apart. Sometimes allergic and irritant reactions occur together.

• Is it dangerous?

For the typical healthy person hand eczema is a harmless disorder. It is not related to cancer and it does not involve internal organs. Severe cases may be temporarily disabling.

• Can it be cured?

The treatment program I put you on will help control or clear the disorder, but it is not a cure. Even if the hand eczema is totally cleared, you will still be predisposed to have repeat episodes if re-exposed to the inciting factors. Repeat treatments may be needed and some individuals may require continuous therapy.

• Will it spread?

It generally stays localized to the hands.

• Is it contagious?

It is not contagious and you can not "catch" it from anyone.

There are various types of eczema, which include allergic eczema, atopic eczema, hand eczema, discoid eczema, infantile eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic eczema, stasis eczema, tropical eczema, xerotic eczema, dyshidriotic eczema, baby eczema, etc.

Although there are different types of eczema, all eczema types cause itch, except seborrheic eczema.

There are some common symptoms of eczema, which can help treating in early stages. Itching of the skin is the first symptom and this itching can vary from tingling sensation to painful itching. Redness with dry and flaky skin is another symptom of eczema, which later becomes itchy.

Adults usually have raised and thick brown patches of eczema, which slowly heals, but forms a scar on the affected area.

health tips for eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition that can cause mild to extreme irritation. When eczema is mild, it often causes dry, hot and itching skin. In more severe forms, eczema causes raw, broken and cracked skin.

Treatment of eczema

Eczema cannot be cured; however it can generally be controlled. It is often useful, in the cases of atopic eczema and contact dermatitis, to determine what allergens are irritating the skin. While it can be difficult to isolate specific allergens, it can be helpful since the first course of treatment is to avoid the offending substances. In addition, the sufferer should avoid exposure to abrasives including dust and sand, perfumes and cosmetics, soaps and detergents, wool and synthetic fibers and cigarette smoke as these can all exacerbate the condition.

A doctor can prescribe medicine for treating eczema. In treatment the goal is to heal the skin and to prevent flare-ups from recurring. Over-the-counter creams and ointments such as corticosteroid cream can be used to treat mild eczema symptoms, but in some cases these medications can further irritate the sensitive skin. Over the counter and prescription antihistamines are also used to treat the itching. Extreme or long term cases should always be seen by a doctor. Newer medicines called immuno-modulators help control skin inflammation by reducing immune system reactions. If there is any sign of skin infection, it will be treated with antibiotics, which may be taken orally or may be topical.

Eczema can vary widely, so each person's treatment regimen must be custom-tailored to adapt to his or her personal condition and lifestyle.

health tips for eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema is a common skin condition that can cause mild to extreme irritation. When eczema is mild, it often causes dry, hot and itching skin. In more severe forms, eczema causes raw, broken and cracked skin.

Treatment of eczema

Eczema cannot be cured; however it can generally be controlled. It is often useful, in the cases of atopic eczema and contact dermatitis, to determine what allergens are irritating the skin. While it can be difficult to isolate specific allergens, it can be helpful since the first course of treatment is to avoid the offending substances. In addition, the sufferer should avoid exposure to abrasives including dust and sand, perfumes and cosmetics, soaps and detergents, wool and synthetic fibers and cigarette smoke as these can all exacerbate the condition.

A doctor can prescribe medicine for treating eczema. In treatment the goal is to heal the skin and to prevent flare-ups from recurring. Over-the-counter creams and ointments such as corticosteroid cream can be used to treat mild eczema symptoms, but in some cases these medications can further irritate the sensitive skin. Over the counter and prescription antihistamines are also used to treat the itching. Extreme or long term cases should always be seen by a doctor. Newer medicines called immuno-modulators help control skin inflammation by reducing immune system reactions. If there is any sign of skin infection, it will be treated with antibiotics, which may be taken orally or may be topical.

Eczema can vary widely, so each person's treatment regimen must be custom-tailored to adapt to his or her personal condition and lifestyle.

Myths about hair loss in women

1. It means you're not a proper women with two X chromosomes
2. It's caused by washing your hair too often
3. It's caused by too much brushing or combing
4. Hair dyes and perms can cause permanent loss
5. It may result from wearing hats and wigs
6. Shaving your hair will make it regrow thicker
7. Standing on your head will help it grow back
8. It's a sign of an overactive brain
9. There's a miracle cure out there waiting for you