What is Bartholin Cyst?

Bartholin cyst is the growth of a small tumor-like tissue on the Bartholin’s gland. The Bartholin’s gland is a pea-sized gland located on the side of the vaginal opening. The Bartholin’s gland is usually small and non-palpable, but the occurrence of a cyst makes it swell or enlarge.

These glands, also termed as vestibular glands are located underneath the skin in the vaginal orifice. The Bartholin’s glands in females are very important during sexual intercourse. These glands are responsible for secreting mucus, which serves as lubrication for the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Any obstruction in the duct causes the fluids to accumulate inside it. As a result, there is inability to release the fluid for use. When significant accumulation happens, it usually forms a cyst on the area.

Bartholin cyst is commonly the size of a pea or a marble. However, when it becomes infected, it can grow bigger with resulting abscess formation. The cyst is usually painless and cyst in only one duct is more common.
The presence of infection and abscess formation causes the cyst to become very uncomfortable. However, the cyst is usually benign. Tumors, cancers or hyperplasia in the glands are not common.

Left Bartholin Cyst Abcess

Image source: brooksidepress.org

Bartholin Cyst Symptoms

Bartholin cysts have different symptom for infected and uninfected lesions. Uninfected cysts usually result to the following manifestations:

• Presence of small lump in the vulva
• Usually painless
• Redness in the area
• Swelling of the vaginal orifice
• Cysts are a quarter to one inch in size
• Enlarges during sexual intercourse because of more fluid accumulation
• Pain during intercourse or dyspareunia as a result of lack of lubrication from the obstructed duct
• Infected Bartholin cysts lead to the following symptoms:
• Severe pain on the cyst
• Difficulty sitting or walking because of pressure and pain on the area
• Tenderness in the surrounding tissues
• Formation of abscess, which may be foul smelling
• Fever as a sign of severe infection
• Vaginal discharges may be present as a sign of underlying sexually transmitted disease

Bartholin Cyst Causes

The primary cause of Bartholin cysts is the presence of accumulation in the Bartholin duct. This is caused by various factors such as:

Poor Personal Hygiene

Poor perineal care after sexual intercourse leads to obstruction of the duct by various materials. Poor hygiene may also cause infection in the area leading to Bartholin cysts.

Infection

Presence of sexually transmitted diseases is a common cause of Bartholin cyst. STDs lead to vaginal discharges that when lodges on the Bartholin’s ducts, it may cause obstruction and Bartholin cyst. Bacteria from the colon, which is Escherichia coli, can also go to the Bartholin’s duct and cause cyst formation.

Use of restrictive undergarments and pants

Young women suffering from Bartholin cyst usually develop it because of wearing of ill-fitting clothes. These clothes limit air circulation in the area and also restrict blood circulation. The Bartholin’s gland secretions may also not effectively escape the duct because of restriction and further leads to accumulation and blockage.

Bartholin Cyst Diagnosis

The primary diagnosis of Bartholin cyst involves physical examination of the vulva showing palpable mass on the vaginal orifice. Gynecologists usually do not perform other diagnostic tests when the cysts are not infected or uncomplicated.
However, when infection is observed such as the occurrence of abscess and vaginal discharges, the physician usually does other tests to identify the causative organism and the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Specific tests include:

Culture and Sensitivity Testing

This test involves the collection of pus on the area and subjecting it to culture to determine the specific bacteria. Next, sensitivity testing is done by subjecting the cultures to various antibiotics. The antibiotic to which the bacteria are most sensitive will be the drug of choice for the patient.

Smears

Smearing of the vagina and the cervix is also done to identify possible sexually transmitted disease in sexually active women. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are the most common STDs that may cause Bartholin cyst.

Bartholin Cyst Treatment

Other patients may recover from Bartholin’s cyst without treatment because the cysts sometimes disappear on their own. However, most women seek treatment because of occurrence of pain, significant size of the cysts and difficulty in walking or sitting. Infected cysts become severely painful, which prompts patients for consult. The treatment of Bartholin cyst usually involves medications, surgery, as well as home treatments. These include:

Home Treatments

• Hot sitz bath

Hot sitz bath is done to promote blood, circulation, drainage and healing of the cyst. Hot sitz bath involves exposing the vulva to hot steam because a hot temperature dilates the blood vessels as well as the duct. This is done at home by sitting in a tub of warm water three times a day for 15 minutes. It can also be done by sitting in a pail of water in order to prevent the water from touching the skin and allowing only the steam to reach the vulva. This technique may also help mature the cyst for easier surgical removal.

• Proper perineal care

Washing the perineum with lukewarm water prevents the development of infection. It also hastens the healing of the Bartholin’s duct.

Medications

• Analgesics
• Analgesics are taken to reduce the pain especially for infected Bartholin’s cyst. Common analgesics include ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Antibiotic therapy
• Oral antibiotics are also taken for infected cysts. These should be taken for a course of days to allow the microorganism to be completely eradicated.

Surgical Excision

Excision involves the removal of the cyst by the use of instruments. This is done in an outpatient basis. Excision is the treatment of choice for uninfected cyst in order to prevent reoccurrence of the growth. It is performed under a local anesthesia.

Marsupialization

Marsupialization is also a surgical procedure involving the drainage of the abscess along with the removal of the cyst in infected Bartholin’s cysts. This is also done in an out-patient unit and performed under local anesthesia. However, it may still cause significant discomfort because local anesthetics do not act fully in infected Bartholin’s cyst. Sedation may be employed depending on the physician.

The procedure is started by making a small incision to drain the abscess. After which, the cyst is excised and the cyst wall is sutured to prevent re-growth or reoccurrence of the cyst.

Marsupialization to drain and remove bartholin cyst and abcess

Complications of Bartholin Cyst

The primary complication of Bartholin cysts is infection. For cysts that are not surgically removed, it may disappear and reoccur from time to time. Presence of malignancies is usually uncommon for Bartholin cyst.

What is Granulocytopenia?

Granulocytopenia is a medical term given that describes the reduction of the granulocytes that are circulating inside the person’s body. The granulocytes include basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils. The basophils are known for inflammatory responses. Meanwhile, the eosinophils are known to act during allergic reaction. On the other hand, the neutrophils which are the most number of granulated form of white blood cells which are functions best in consuming foreign invaders inside the person’s body. It is also associated with eosinopenia, basopenia and neutropenia.

Granulocytes are another term for white blood cells that is covered with granules upon viewing under the microscope, which functions as the fighter against infection. It is found to contain enzymes which digest certain microorganisms. When it reaches the severe form, it is medically termed as agranulocytosis. Hence, it can be sometimes interchanged with granulopenia, neutropenia as well as agranulocytosis.

Granulocytopenia Symptoms

Symptoms which are associated with granulocytopenia are considered to be non-exclusive and may lead to other forms of disease condition. It is advisable that you consult a physician for clarity, to allay fear and for further more understanding of the condition that one has. The symptoms associated with this kind of condition include:

• Jaundice
• Sore throat
• Low count on white blood cells
• Fever
• Weakness or body malaise
• Mouth ulcer
• Bleeding gums
• Bacterial kind of pneumonia
• Chills
• Susceptible for infection due to the fact that they experience recurrent infections brought about by bacterial, viral or fungal causes.
• Spleenomegaly (severe kind)
• Petechial bleeding (severe kind)
• Reddish to purplish spots in the person’s body (severe)

Granulocytopenia Causes

Granulocytopenia occurs in an individual because of the following reasons or causes:

• The person has an existing autoimmune disorder
• The person has lupus
• The person has rheumatoid arthritis
• The person has Crohn’s disease
• There is a bone marrow failure
• The person has leukemia
• The person has a current severe kind of injuries
• The person is undergoing chemotherapy
• The person is undergoing radiation therapy
• The person is taking for long term of medications under the classification of antihypertensive, cardiac drugs and antibiotics which are known to lead into acquiring the side effects of granulocytopenia

Granulocytopenia Diagnostic tests

The diagnostic test that one has to undergo to be able to confirm that the person has indeed granulocytopenia includes:

• Physical examination (mandatory)
• Medical history examination (mandatory)
• Urinalysis
• Genetic examination
• Bone marrow examination
• Complete blood count examination or Blood examinations with differentiation
• Lymphocyte count examination
• The normal values will differ from one institution to another. Lower than the normal values, especially the ones which deal with granulocytes, given by the medical institution will indicate granulocytopeniaBone Marrow Biopsy to determine presence of granulocytopenia

Granulocytopenia Treatment

The treatment for persons who are diagnosed to have granulocytopenia will consist of:

Pharmacological treatment such as antibiotics

Antibiotics are given to ward off infections which are opportunistic in nature.

White blood cell stimulating factors

As mentioned, granulocytopenia are a form of white blood cells that are low in number to be able to treat it will require treatment that will stimulate the growth of white blood cell.

Leukocyte transfusion

Leukocyte which is another medical term given for white blood cells. Through transfusion process the number of white blood cells particularly the granulocytes will increase and granulocytopenia will be then be hopefully treated if the body responds well to the transfusion given.

The treatments provided are aimed to help the body to bounce back to health and to eradicate the opportunistic infections as well as to increase the number of granulocytes.

What is Turf Toe Injury?

Turf Toe is medically termed as metatarsalphalangeal joint sprain. It is an injury, which is painful, located at the big toe base and that occurs most often in athletic persons who either play soccer, baseball or football and the like. It is soft tissue injury in the big toe joint. Other experts would define it as a sprain to the large toe joint’s ligament.

Turf Toe Causes

Turf toe, anatomically speaking, works as a hinge that permits the up and down motion. It is often used whenever one walks or run. The turf toe will help in propelling yourself forward by means of pushing off the big toe and making your weight be shifted to the other foot.

An injury in the turf toe is primarily due to hyperextension, when one extremely bends the big toe joint in an upward motion, or hyperflexion, when one extremely bends the big toe joint in a downward motion. This will lead to pain upon weight bearing and sprain of the ligaments that surround the big toe joint.

Other etiology or factors that contribute to turf toe injury includes:

1. Direct Injuries
2. Prior Injuries
3. Weight
4. ROM or Range of Motion in your ankle
5. Feet Position during playing any sports

Turf Toe Symptoms

When one is diagnosed with turf toe injury, one will manifest the following symptoms:

1. Pain located at the big toe base area
2. Tenderness upon touching the area
3. Swelling of the ball and toe of the foot
4. Inable to bear weight
5. Inable to push off on the big toe
6. Popping sound which is heard during the injury
7. Functio Laesa or Reduce Function and mobility of the injured area
8. Bruising at the ball of the foot and at the top of the big toe.

You must take note that not everyone will be able to experience the symptoms mentioned. The most common amongst the symptoms mentioned is pain. At first the pain is mild and tolerable until it becomes worse.

Diagnosis

In diagnosing turf toe injury your doctor will ask you thorough questions regarding the injury and you will undergo physical assessments. Aside from that you will undergo some test for confirmation, such as:

1. X-ray
2. Bone Scan
3. Ultrasound
4. Electrotherapy treatment
5. Ct- Scan
6. MRI

These tests are necessary to detect the type and kind of injury or damage to the bone or ligaments. It will provide a clear picture and will tell the doctor the necessary medical steps to be done.

Turf Toe Treatment

In the treatment with turf toe injury, the following can be done:

PRICE

Persons diagnosed with turf toe injury are through the synonym PRICE treatment meaning Protect, Rice, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This is often done for immediate treatment. It is effective to reduce the pain and swelling episodes.

Medications

You can also be prescribed with medication such as anti-inflammatory and analgesics. Anti inflammatory works to reduce the inflammatory symptoms while analgesic medications work to reduce the pain. Examples of medications include Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Acetaminophen or Naproxen.

Turf Toe Surgery

Surgery, as protocol, is the last option to be considered, it is only needed when there is a need for repair especially when the ligament is completely torn or there is a bone fracture due to the injury of the ligament. The area will be then casted or splinted until it recovers.

Turf Toe Rehab

After treatment, the next step is rehabilitation. It is the process of restoring the person’s maximum strength after the injury to gain self-sufficiency and function as normally as possible.

With this Rehabilitation process, it is expected to perform the following:

Turf Toe Exercises

You can do exercises when you are in recuperation period such of these exercises include:

Towel Scrunches

This kind of exercise will help with the dexterity, strength and flexibility. You just need to sit on a chair then place a piece of towel on the floor and insert the towel between the floor and your feet. Then you grip the towel with the use of your toes. You then raise your feet slowly from the floor and hold the towel with both hands. You do this for ten seconds and then release the towel. Repeat the same procedure for about five to seven times.

Short Foot

This kind of exercise will help you go back to pre-injure state. What you do is you sit on a comfortable chair with your feet, in front of you, flat on the floor. With your toes kept flat, lift the arch of your foot up. You must do this without rolling your foot towards the outside portion. Hold the position for about five second and release and do it again.

Toe-Pick Up Exercises

This kind of exercise will also help you build dexterity, flexibility, and strength. You need to place marbles and bowel on the floor by the use of your bare foot. You just need to use your toes to pick each marbles and drop it to the bowl. Do this until all the marbles are inside the bowl and repeat the procedure.

Tuef Toe Braces

Braces can also be used. It protects the big toe from injury and restricts its movement. It can be also termed as toe splints. With the use of the braces, it is effective in lessening the pain. With the use of toe splint, the second toe will help protect the big toe from injury and lessen the pressure that it gives out on the neighboring toe. When one uses braces, one is expected to use lotion which is specially applied in irritating areas to reduce irritation.

Turf Toe Taping

Before returning to the normal physical activity, most often it is required to tape the toe. By taping the turf toe, you will prevent recurrence of the said condition. It is through the use of a tape, where loops of 1 to 2 centimeters wide piece of athletic kind of tape is looped around the dorsal surface to the plantar surface of the patient’s affected foot.

Turf Toe Insert

The turf toe inserts are put in the front portion of the foot. In this case, the normal foot can move without making the toe move around and bear much weight. It usually fit inside a shoe and it keeps the toe straight. There are also turf toe inserts that are padded for extra comfort of the user.

Turf Toe Pictures

What is Black Hairy Tongue?

Black hairy tongue is a condition wherein the papillae on the tongue surface lengthen. The papillae may grow longer up to 15 mm in length and rub away with food, causing it to become disfigured and look furry. Black hairy tongue disease is also called lingua villosa nigra. The black color is associated with staining of the papillae with food, tobacco or tar. Black hairy tongue syndrome is usually yellowish-black in color. In the appearance of hairy papillae, it is due to the defective desquamation of the projections.

The appearance of black hairy tongue syndrome is usually mild and harmless. However, people become alarmed because of a peculiar color and appearance of the tongue. This condition is associated with the development of thrush or fungus in the oral cavity; however, some conditions are also not linked to fungal and bacterial infection.

Collectively, hairy tongue may be white, yellow, brown, or black in color depending on the cause that resulted in discoloration. Black hairy tongue is more common in men than in women because of more chronic vices such as smoking and the like. It may affect all age groups, but it is more predominant in adults because of more chronic exposure to causative factors.

Hair-like projections on the surface or dorsal part of the tongue

Image 1 Source: webmd.com

Black Hairy Tongue Symptoms

Symptoms of Black Hairy Tongue often include:

• Hair-like projections on the surface or dorsal part of the tongue
• Black discoloration on the tongue, but sometimes may be white, yellow or brown depending on the food that causes discoloration.
• Slight alterations on the taste as a result of food debris that piles up and presence of long papillae
• Halitosis because of accumulation of food particles on the elongated papillae
• Burning sensation on the tongue or glossopyrosis
• Tickling sensation on the oral cavity especially on the soft palate
• Gagging sensation

Black Hairy Tongue Causes

The appearance of hairy tongue is not a disease, nor frequently caused by a disease. It is usually caused by external factors, which include:

• Poor oral hygiene – Failure to brush the teeth and the tongue leads to accumulation of food debris and microorganism that thrive in the mouth. Fungal infection may occur and may leave swollen papillae that cause food particles to get in the tongue.
• Frequent use of mouthwashes – Mouthwashes that contain hydrogen peroxide, menthol and witch hazel decrease the normal flora in the mouth, which results in opportunistic infections and reduction in the integrity of the tongue.
• Antibiotic Treatment – The use of penicillin such as amoxicillin and other broad spectrum antibiotics causes the affectation of the oral cavity, which also destroys the normal bacterial flora in the mouth. As a result, opportunistic infections such as thrush or oral candidiasis may occur.
• Pepto-Bismol – Taking chewable tablets of Pepto-Bismol may result in black hairy tongue after 24 hours.
• Head and Neck Radiation – Exposure of the tongue to radiation causes the changes in the papillae resulting in hypertrophy and abnormal desquamation.
• Mouth breathing – Frequent mouth breathing as a result of impaired respirations may also lead to black hairy tongue because of lack of moisture in the oral cavity. The tongue and lips often become dry and cause damages on the lining.
• Tobacco use – The presence of tar in tobacco or cigarettes causes chronic irritation of the papillae, causing it to undergo hypertrophy. In addition, the tar can also discolor the tongue to a yellowish-black hue.
• Chronic Coffee and Tea drinking – Coffee and tea may discolor the tongue over time. This is seen in elderly clients who have regularly consumed coffee or tea over their lifetime.
• Soft Diet – The intake of soft diet lacks roughage and other food textures. These are essential in naturally debriding the tongue during chewing. In this regard, food debris and microorganisms may pile up on the surface of the tongue causing a thick surface with discoloration.
• Drug abuse – Using prohibited drugs also affect the integrity of the tongue leading to hypertrophy and discoloration.
• HIV infection – HIV may also lead to black hairy tongue because of increased risk for opportunistic infections such as candidiasis.

Black Hairy Tongue Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests employed for the condition include those that check for the presence of fungal infection. Diagnostic tests for black hairy tongue include:

• Culture – Culture is done on the samples on the surface of the tongue to determine presence of fungal infection such as candidiasis or presence of other infections in the mouth.
• Smears – Smears of the cells on the tongue may indicate presence of Candida albicans, the causative microorganism for candidiasis.
• Histologic examinations –Histologic tests may indicate the presence of elongated filiform papillae. Occasional inflammatory cells and mild hyperkeratosis may also be observed.

In patients with HIV, black hairy tongue should be differentiated from the presence of a more serious condition called hairy leukoplakia. Leukoplakia is a complication of HIV as a result of Epstein-Barr virus. Mucosal punch biopsy may be significant in determining hairy leukoplakia in HIV patients.

Black Hairy Tongue Treatment

Treatment for black hairy tongue syndrome is focused on the eradication of the causative factor and enhancing the appearance of the tongue. This condition is mild and may resolve on its own. Management can be instituted to hasten the resolution of the condition. Treatments include:

Brushing

Brushing the tongue twice a day or using tongue scraper helps in removing debris on the tongue and thereby reducing the discoloration. This measure also prevents the growth of fungus and bacteria that may cause infection. Mild cases of hairy tongue may be resolved using this management.

Diet modification

Patients who constantly consume soft diet may add additional roughage on the diet to mechanically debride the food particles that accumulated on the elongated papillae.

Antifungal medications

For patients with fungal infections along with the hairy tongue, antifungal medications are usually given. It may be given through mouth or by the use of topical anti-fungal agents.

Surgery

Removal of the hairy projections may be done using laser, electrodessication or surgical knife and scissors. This treatment is employed when other measures deemed ineffective.

Black Hairy Tongue Side-effects or Complications

Black hairy tongue may result in mild complications such as permanent altering of taste sensations or the presence of metallic taste. Black hairy tongue also reduces the aesthetic appearance of the tongue.

Black Hairy Tongue Pictures

Image 2 – Yellow or brown discoloration

Image Source: aocd-grandrounds.org

What is fever blister?

Fever Blister, better known as cold sore or oral herpes is a skin condition that is typical herpes simplex virus infection. The virus lies quiescent inside the body and is reactivated if the immune system falls from its normal rhythm. It may start as a blister and snaps out clear fluid. It will cause pain, burning sensation on the affected part then forms a scab. The usual parts that are mainly involved are the lips, nose and tongue. This happens because the virus goes to areas that the immune system may not detect their presence, making them latent in the mean time.

Fever Blister Stages

Cold sores undergo five stages:

Tingling

This stage is also called as prodrome. There will be swelling, redness and inflammation on the site the blister will form. This stage is characterized by the tingling sensation on the future site. The usual duration of this stage can vary from 1-2 days.

Blistering

At this stage, a blister is formed filled with clear fluid or these blisters may appear in cluster and they can vary in size. This stage lasts up to 2 days.

Weeping

This is considered as the stage where the infection is most contagious. The blister ruptures and leaves a reddish sore that eventually turns gray. The clear fluid that broke out contains millions of viral cells that can be transmitted directly but this stage only lasts for a day. This is also known as the ulcer stage.

Scabbing

During this stage, the affected area scabs one after the other. Initially, it will scab first time and may bleed. This may also cause itching or burning sensation. Another scab is formed but smaller than the first, it will again peel off and another scab is produced. Until the scab disappears; it will not leave a scar. This stage lasts 2-3 days.

Healing

Causes

Fever blisters or cold sores are mainly caused by herpes simplex type 1. Although this virus came from the same family of virus that causes genital herpes; herpes simplex type 2, fever blisters are not considered as a notorious ailment.

The virus hides in the nerve cell, thus makes immune system unaware of its existence. Opportunistic virus stays dormant and will be activated when the virus sense that the immune system is down or the body is busy fighting off other illness and will not be able to release antibodies for it to be killed.

This condition is directly transmitted from person to person by:

1. Direct contact on the fluid-filled area
2. Sharing of things
3. Kissing
4. Touching the infected person’s saliva

The effect of the infection varies from person to person, an individual can have reinfection and the others may not.

Studies have shown that a major contributing factor of acquiring this disease is stress; which also has a lot of factors that could cause it. An individual is well aware of the situations they are stressed so it is advisable for them to be conscious with their body, and notice any tingling or burning sensation anywhere so as to get immediate care.

Symptoms

Mentioned earlier, symptoms of this condition vary in case to case basis. An individual may carry the virus but will not manifest symptoms. On the other hand, individuals who possess symptoms present these:

1. pain around lips
2. sore throat
3. fever
4. swollen glands in the neck area and other parts of the body
5. drooling (in some children)
6. blisters
7. itching

Treatment

Fever blisters resolve by themselves in a week or so, but if the condition affects your life greatly there is a way to relieve it in a shorter span of time.

The best time to treat fever blisters is during the prodromal stage when the affected site has the tingling or burning sensation. This will not cure for there is still no known cure for this, but early treatment can shorten the course of the disease.

There are many known medications that will manage this condition, some are given topically and others taken orally. Several antiviral medications are recommended for specific a specific type of infection.

Denavir

This is recommended for recurrent infections. Immediate intake of this medication an hour after the outbreak will help reduce the time of healing into 2 days, it will also reduce the likelihood o symptoms to appear. The effectiveness of this drug depends on the onset of administration, the sooner Denavir is taken, the better.

Zovirax

This is also used for the same reason as Denavir. Studies have shown that applying this frequently reduces time of healing up to half a day. Giving low dose of Zovirax will help reduce the symptoms, but if pain is present it is advisable to give higher dose to manage pain.

Famciclovir and Valacyclovir

Both are recommended for recurrent cold sores. IT is said that these drugs will decrease the healing process up to 2 days.

Suppression therapy

Although taking medication is an effective way of treating fever blisters, studies have shown that for individuals who had recurrent type of infection, a daily dose of Zovirax, Famciclovir and Valacyclovir should be given to reduce symptoms as well as lessen the duration of the disease.

In addition to these medications, pain alleviation is also taken care of so as to improve the individual’s condition. These are used for temporary relief and not included in the ‘mainstays’ of treatment. There are certain drugs that are used to reduce pain:

Anbesol

This is used to relieve pain and help reduce symptoms by softening the blisters and allay dryness.

Orajel

This medication is applied topically and is indicated for pain. It also contains moisturizing skin shield and an herbal complex. It is linked that moisturizer aid in a speedy healing of the blisters and will assist in relieving pain and burning sensation.

Home Remedies

There is no definite way to avoid fever blisters, chances cannot be calculated to predict when this will occur but there are certain measures that will help prevent not just cold sores but other diseases as well.

1. Avoid the things that can cause stress; it is up to the individual to determine what these stressors are and be able to avoid them.
2. Use sun screen all the time to lessen the uvrays that might harm the skin
3. Use lip balm
4. Avoid sharing personal things such as toothbrush and razor with a suspected and infected person
5. Wash hands frequently

Complications

Although herpes simplex virus type affects the mouth, nose and tongue it can also reach other parts of the body. If the fingers are infected; this is called as herpetic whitlow. In worst cases, the infection can reach up to the brain and may lead to brain damage, dementia and cognitive abnormalities.

What is Progeria?

Progeria is a genetic abnormality where a baby grows or age rapidly. It comes from a Greek word which means prematurely old. It affects mostly children and this kind of disease condition gives the children and old appearance. It is usually a rarer kind of disease condition.

History of Progeria

The disease is sometimes called as Hutchinson- Gliford Progeria syndrome or Hutchinson-Gliford Syndrome. Its name was based from the one who first describe the condition and his name was Jonathan Hutchinson. He describes this disease condition in the year 1886. Upon his discovery, it was estimated around 100 cases have been reported. In 1897, Hastings Gliford was able to record the syndrome. Hence, the combination of the two discoverers Hutchinson-Gliford Progeria syndrome or the HGPS was coined.

As mentioned, Progeria came from a Greek word “pro” meaning before and “geras” meaning old age. This is a rare genetic disorder where children are the most often reported to have. According to studies, most of these children will live only up to the maximum age of 10-15 years old, if lucky.

Progeria Facts

One fact, Children manifest physical appearances that are like an old woman or man. Yet, despite these changes, one thing will remain constant. A child with Progeria will still have average to above average mental intellect. Meaning, their intellectual capabilities are not affected whatsoever. So they appear old, but think like a child.

Aside from that, the appearance of a child diagnosed with Progeria is that of small version of a child. That even when they reach teenage years, they will weigh around thirty pounds, which can be compared to a two year old child with a three and a half feet tall. They have bowl legged shape and they have brittle bone structure.

Progeria Symptoms

Actually after birth, the child will basically appear normal and its symptoms will only be visible at about six months to one year.

The symptoms of children with Progeria include:

1. Alopecia or epilation
2. Pinched Nose
3. Small Jaw
4. Small Face
5. Big Head
6. Scleroderma
7. Prominent eyes
8. Micrognathia or small lower jaw
9. High Pitched voice
10. Delayed tooth formation
11. Stiff joints
12. Limited Growth or sometimes described as dwarf in height
13. Wrinkled Skin
14. Loss of Body fat
15. Hip dislocation
16. Tumors
17. Cataracts
18. Insulin Resistance
19. Generalized atherosclerosis
20. CVA or Stroke

Its head and face manifest baldness, scalp veins, narrowed face. There is delayed tooth formation since their jaws are smaller than normal. Aside from that the eyelashes and their eyebrows are not quite visible. With regards to their bones, they have a fragile bone structure and have short stature and positive hip dislocations. Their skin also undergoes changes such as their connective tissues have been hardened and tough. They have a skin disease called scleroderma.

Progeria Causes

This rare genetic disease is an autosomal recessive kind of disease condition. About 90 percent of children who are diagnosed with Progeria have mutation in one gene. The gene is known to encode Lamin A, which is a protein gene that holds together the nucleus’ cell. According to theory, the person having Progeria has a defective (LMNA) Lamin A Protein making the nucleus more unstable, hence, leading to the symptoms of premature aging. The real reasons or etiology why this disease condition happens have not yet been pinpointed out. In addition to that this disease condition occurs intermittently. Even if this is a genetic kind of disease, not everyone in the family will be able to be diagnosed with Progeria.

Progeria Treatment

There is no specific cure of this kind of disease condition. Yet there could be therapies that could delay or ease the symptoms associated with this kind of disease. Such of these therapies include:

Medications

Medication such as Low dose aspirin can prevent occurrence of stroke and heart attack. Other medications can be prescribes such as “statin” drugs that will aid in the lowering of cholesterol level or anticoagulants which prevent blood clots. The hormonal medication can also help in increasing the weight and height of these inflicted children.

Physical and Occupational Therapy

This is necessary to help with the stiffness of the joint and hip problems and will help in blood circulation purposes. Also, it helps to make the child remain active.

Investigational Treatment

FTI or Farnesyltransferase inhibitor medications, which are known to treat cancer, have promising results in treating the Progeria disease. It corrects the cell defects that Progeria has. Yet this kind of medication is still being studied upon.

Extraction of Primary Teeth

Extracting the child’s tooth may help in the prevention of problems that are associated with delaying teeth loss.

Other treatments are aimed at symptomatic and supportive kind of treatment. Aside from these treatments, you can also do these home remedies such as:

Provide Regular Physical Activity

This is important to promote blood circulation.

Provide Small, Frequent Meals

Smaller and frequent meals can help increase the caloric intake of a child with Progeria.

Hydrating Child

Dehydration is a serious problem that is associated with this kind of disease condition. Hence, you need to let your child be well hydrated.

Providing Learning Opportunities

As mentioned, the brain or the intellectual learning capabilities of a patient diagnosed with Progeria is not really affected. She or He can still go to school.

Immunizing the Child

Immunizing a child with Progeria should also be done since studies show that all children are at risk when exposed to infectious disease condition.

Progeria Life Expectancy

When a child is diagnosed with Progeria, studies showed that children with this condition have a shorter lifespan. They are often diagnosed at an early age of 7 years old and their maximum age of life expectancy will be fifteen to twenty years of age. However, some of the patients diagnosed with disease condition can live until age thirty. Most of the causes of death of these patients or children are usually related to heart disease, atherosclerosis disease or stroke.