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Restless Legs Syndrome: Causes

In most cases of restless legs syndrome, the cause is simply unknown. Despite extensive research, there is no one cause for the disease. However, there are some common factors in many of the cases. Restless legs syndrome may run in families, suggesting a genetic form of the disorder. People with familial or primary RLS tend to experience symptoms at an earlier age. The disease seems to progress more slowly in familial RLS cases. Restless legs syndrome can develop as a result of another condition (a chronic disease like Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and others); the other condition can make the RLS … Continue reading →

The Confusion Surrounding Gluten-Allergies

There are a lot of people who don’t have a good understanding about gluten allergies, celiac disease, or the differences between them. Some people think that a person chooses to eat a gluten-free diet for no other reason than to lose weight. Here is a quick explanation of the confusion that surrounds gluten-allergies. Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population. It is a genetic condition that causes a person’s body to be unable to tolerate, or properly digest, gluten. It actually causes damage to that person’s intestines. The inability to absorb food can lead to other health problems, like … Continue reading →

Inherited Diseases – Thalassemia

When you get pregnant, especially for the first time, it is easy to get confused by the vast amount of information that comes your way. From your doctors to your friends and family, everyone has something to tell you. The early discussions that many OBGYNs and midwives have with their newly pregnant patients often contain information regarding genetic testing. There are different types of tests and the reasons for suggesting each test are different. Some specific tests many be suggested based upon your family history and ethnic heritage. Today, I learned from my mother that a fairly distant relative of … Continue reading →

Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity Are Not the Same

At age thirty-eight, I discovered that I had a gluten allergy. For a while, I was very confused about exactly what that meant. Is this an allergy to wheat? Does this mean I have celiac disease? Could this be nothing more than a sensitivity to foods that contain gluten? A little research gave me the answers I was looking for. Celiac disease is something that affects about 1% of the population. It is a genetic condition that causes the body to be unable to tolerate gluten. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and all the foods that … Continue reading →

Regular Massages Help Reduce Pain and Depression in Sick Children

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Massage isn’t just for stressed out moms. According to a study by researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, it offers both physical and psychological benefits to children with special health needs such as Sickle Cell Disease. In the study, published in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, researchers found that massage helps to reduce pain, anxiety and depression. Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic blood disorder that affects the red blood cells. It causes cells to become hard and pointed rather than the normal soft and round. Symptoms include anemia, repeat infections, and periodic pain. More than 70,000 Americans live with Sickle … Continue reading →

In Memoriam – 2010 – Part 2

Yesterday, I listed the celebrities that died in January, February, and March of 2010. Today, more that left us, some far too soon. April Apr 7 – Christopher Cazenove – Christopher Cazenove, the British actor best known as playing Ben Carrington on “Dynasty,” died of septicemia at age 64. Apr 8 – Malcolm McLauren – Malcolm McLauren, who brought together the epitome of ‘70s punk bands, The Sex Pistols, died of mesothelioma at age 64. Apr 10 – Dixie Carter – Dixie Carter, actress and wife of Hal Holbrook, died of complications from endometrial cancer at the age of 70. … Continue reading →

A Few More Genetic Disorders

Genealogy and Biology are two areas of study that go hand in hand. As you work on your genealogy research, it is possible that you will discover than an ancestor had a disorder that can be genetically passed on to his or her offspring. This sort of information is important for your health. Most people would want to know if they have the potential of developing certain genetic disorders, or if they could pass them onto their children. There are some genetic disorders that you might be familiar with. Most people know what Down Syndrome, Tay-Sachs, and Hemophilia are. You … Continue reading →

Do Rheumatoid Arthritis and Pregnancy Mix?

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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. It can lead to deformities in the hands and feet, anemia, decreased range of motion, numbness and tingling, pleurisy, and other mild to severe symptoms. It is a long term disease that can be managed (but not cured) by drugs that are incompatible with a healthy pregnancy. Does that mean women who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis can’t carry a pregnancy? Fortunately, that is not the case! Conception The pain and discomfort associated with RA may affect a couple’s sex life and account for the fact … Continue reading →

Routine Screening for a Shortened Cervix

You’ve heard the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Ben Franklin said those wise words and they still hold true today, especially when it comes to pregnancy. For example, we all know the importance of taking our prenatal vitamins, doing Kegels in the checkout line (or anywhere you remember), getting good prenatal care and taking childbirth classes. It’s always better to catch something before it becomes a problem. Preparation is key in pregnancy. Prevention is the driving force behind screening. We screen for gestational diabetes. We screen for anemia. We screen for blood type. If … Continue reading →

Of Mice and Babies

What causes a woman to go into labor? If you answered, “I don’t know,” then you know just as much as the rest of us. We know the signs of impending labor and we know how to (sometimes) synthetically get it started, but the mystery behind why exactly labor starts has baffled doctors and researchers. Now they are getting one step closer in discovering the secret and using it to prevent premature births. Thirteen million babies are born premature each year. One million of those preemies do not survive. For those that do, many will suffer respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, … Continue reading →