For every parent who has suffered the anxiety of wondering if their unborn child would be healthy, there are comparatively few who come face to face with the agonizing discovery that their unborn or newborn child will struggle or die because of a genetic disorder. What is a genetic disorder and what part does genetic screening play in helping families to deal with the risk or reality in their children? Recessive genetic disorders are when both parents carry a diseased gene but do not suffer from the disease themselves. They are called 'carriers'. Their children must inherit the diseased gene from BOTH parents to develop the disorder. If the child inherits only one gene they will also become carriers...

The two main models of disability are the Social Model and the Medical Model. There are other models of disability, however these two are the most common due to their conflicting opinions of the disabled person and his or her needs and responsibilities. The Social Model Of Disability The Social Model of disability sees the person with a disability not the disabled person. Prevention of the 'Person' with a disability taking an active roll in many day-to-day events and activities is the result of barriers imposed by sociality. Such barriers are often inaccessible buildings and services as well as inaccessible transport such as trains, busses and taxis etc. It is the responsibility of society to adapt...

Down Syndrome is a genetic chromosomal syndrome affecting physical features and causing mental retardation. Down Syndrome is caused by having an extra third copy of chromosome 21. Down Syndrome can be diagnosed prenatally in the womb during pregnancy using several different tests including ultrasound, amniocentesis and CVS. Diagnosis after birth can usually be done from examining the baby's physical and facial features such as: # Flattened face # Snub nose # Flattened nasal bridge # Upward slanting eyes # Short neck # Enlarged and protruding tongue # Abnormally shaped ears # Short stubby hands # Short stubby feet # Infant not crying much Below are some of the major myths about Down Syndrome. Each...

There are some divided ideas on the dangers of certain essential oils used in aromatherapy during pregnancy, but since this time should be a time to enjoy and to prepare for the upcoming birth of your child, it would be wise to rather give some essential oils a miss. Essential oils can play a significant role in balancing the ups and downs and bring some pleasure to what should be the most rewarding time of a woman's life. Due to this factor and other contraindications, the below essential oils should never be used during pregnancy, not even in diluted or cut amounts; * Anise * Angelica * Basil * Laurel * Cedarwood (all sorts) * Cinnamon * Clasry Sage * Clove * Fennel * Hyssop The first trimester is...

If you want to get your spouse back - you can do it! However, there are no shortcuts. You need to be patient. Yes, it is hard to to be alone, even temporarily, but you'll have to be emotionally strong and independent. If you want to try to get your spouse back in love with you, you should know that every marriage has its ups and downs and that communication can solve most marriage problems. Try to understand the reason for your relationship troubles and come up with an action plan. But, do not make the same mistakes again. It is important to tell your spouse how you feel. You can also write him/her a letter with all your feelings and thoughts written down. Tell your partner that he or she is the one...

Periodontal disease or periodontitus is a disease of the connective tissue supporting the teeth which causes progressive bone loss and eventual loss of the teeth. The underlying cause of the disease is undisturbed bacteria growth, usually between the teeth or along the gum line. Severe forms of the disease will lead to loosening and loss of the teeth if untreated. While severe forms of the disease are uncommon, the milder forms occur in approximately 50% of the population over age 30 Periodontal disease is thought to occur more frequently in people who have been diagnosed with gingivitis in the past. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue. Other risk factors for periodontal disease include...

This article is an attempt to remove confusion concerning some of the issues regarding congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease is a kind of malformation or heart defect that exists somewhere in the heart. In some cases it is a defect that can be found in one of the blood vessels of the heart. It is defined as congenital because the defect is present when a baby is born. It is strongly believed that these types of heart defects take place while the fetus is developing but it is not clear at what stage throughout the nine months that it takes hold. Out of every 1,000 children born, 8 to 10 have this condition. Some babies show symptoms of congenital heart defects from the very beginning of...

What the heck is making me feel like I need to move my legs back and forth everytime I lay down? Have you ever felt like you were more comfortable in bed when you were paddling your feet as if to be swimming across the English Channel? Maybe you were an Olympic swimmer in a past life and you don't remember it! Actually, that's not the problem you are having. You may not be familiar with the symptoms and causes of what is known as Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS? RLS is a condition which is quite interesting and which has also been referred to as "Jimmy Legs", "Jumpy Legs" or "Heebeejeebees". The scientific name for this syndrome is Ekbom syndrome. The movements associated with restless leg...

One of the amazing things about the internet is the way it brings us all together. - You hear of people you never would have heard of before, you're introduced to new things and new ideas continuously. The other day, I was surfing the web and stumbled upon a freely hosted website that had been created by a boy with Down Syndrome. When I looked upon all that was inside this website, I was amazed and impressed by this person. I got to read all about a boy who, by this world's standards, was considered severely handicapped, and yet he speed skated, played tennis and soccer, and rock climbed. He had pictures of himself competing at sporting events with teams and numerous medals that he had earned...

Packing is arduous business. Finding myself relocating to a new city means participating in the age-old, time-honored practice of pulling up stakes, shutting off utilities and looking ahead to another part of my life as it unfolds. The packing is simply the physical rendition of sorting and filing memories, moments and hopes that evidence the truth of the time spent in any place we choose to call home. Having done this a few times before, I am familiar with the process, its delights and its pitfalls. Gathering one's life together, releasing its unneeded portions to the universe, fitting the remainder into a box on wheels and trusting it will be intact and ready to be welcomed into a new space at the...

Cancer in any form is a deadly disease. But when it affects the most vital components of the body then their fatality increases manifold. One such type of cancer is cancer of the blood, technically known as leukemia. Blood is the most important tissue of the body. It is the connective tissue which carries and supplies oxygen and other vital elements to the remotest parts of the body. The importance of blood can be understood by the fact that it is the most important of all the connective tissues which provide the nutrients and other vital elements to the body. The most dangerous feature of leukemia is that it is related to the blood which has access to almost all body organs including the all...

Many people do not understand Autism and its impact on their life and that on their loved ones. Autism is a disability that affects development. It can be very difficult and trying in case you are living with and dealing on a daily basis with a person who is suffering with autism. Autism is usually diagnosed in children in the age bracket of 18 to 36 months. Autism can be very difficult to diagnose since there are no physical signs. Autism affects people in many different ways and thus it is known as a spectrum disorder. Autism will not be noticeable until the time when children should be developing their speaking and understanding skills. Autism is a disorder that is now more common than Down...

It's estimated that one in three Americans suffers from a condition that Steven Nissen, M.D., a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, has dubbed the "disease of the new millennium." Metabolic syndrome, as it's more commonly known, is actually a name used to describe a group of symptoms, or "metabolic risk factors." These symptoms increase the risk of a number of diseases, including: Coronary heart disease Stroke Type 2 diabetes Breast cancer Infertility In all, it's thought that over 50 million Americans have it, but the syndrome (also known as syndrome X and insulin resistance syndrome) often goes undetected. Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome Having any one of the following conditions...

The bodies of young children are growing and changing fast. So it is very important not to demand more physically, and intellectually than they can safely manage. The pre-school years are a time to encourage motor skills through a wide range of activities taking place in a variety of settings. There is no doubt that it is beneficial to establish an interest in movement and exercise as early in life as possible. Childhood obesity and its risk to health is a growing problem in many areas of the world. Informed opinion is that toddlers and pre-schoolers should have a minimum of sixty minutes up to several hours of daily, unstructured physical activity. They also should not be sedentary for longer than...

Syndrome X or the X factor as it is sometimes known was first described in 1988 by Professor Gerald Reaven , an endocrinologist at California's Stanford University after twenty years of study. Since this first identification the understanding of Syndrome X has come a long way. Before we define Syndrome X we need to clarify the role of insulin in the body. When we eat carbohydrates - which are basically sugars, the glucose levels in our blood start to rise. In response to this,the pancreas gland produces insulin. The insulin takes the glucose and changes it into glycogen, which it stores in the muscles and liver cells for future use as energy. When the muscles and the liver cells are full, the...

What is the difference between optical and digital zoom?-Optical zoom on a digital camera works the same way a regular 35mm camera's zoom works, the lens physically moves in and out using the optics (lens) to bring the subject closer without sacrificing quality. These moving lenses allows a range in optical magnification that runs anywhere from 2.0x to 10.0x. The higher the optical zoom on a camera, the farther away you can be to take a photograph and still get a clear, close image. Digital zoom is a software simulation of optical zoom using no moving parts. Simply put, the camera crops the picture and enlarges it, filling in the extra pixels by guessing what the picture may look like in a process...

Business Owner Burnout (BOB) is the most common reason for business owners to consider selling their businesses. Most owners do not have their businesses ready to sell when burnout has finally taken its toll. And business owners who do succumb to BOB usually take a significant financial loss. How can you learn to protect yourself from the ravages of "BOB" Syndrome? The first step is to begin looking at your business in a completely different light. Your business is like a wheelbarrow: If you want it to go somewhere, you have to pick it up and push. But it takes energy to push a business. Physical, emotional and economic energy may be in short supply when they are needed most. What can be done to...

Studies made on a wide number of countries and people have come up with some startling numbers; some 5 children in 1000 have autism, the most common age being 3 to 5 years old. As in the case of many other illnesses and diseases, the sooner the symptoms are diagnosed of making part of this particular disorder action must be taken if chances of treating the disease exist. Family members, teachers or day care providers should never underestimate the symptoms that the child is showing thinking that what they see is not a problem. The fact is, as presented earlier, that diagnosing the disease at its earliest greatly increases the chances of good results being seen after the treatment. Problems do exist...

Having a wife that works with life skill students I know there are all type of problems that arise with special needs students. Its sad because with students and or adults who have special needs will struggle with those needs their entire life, and now obesity seems to be just one more issue. I'm not sure there is an answer to this problem, but it seems that those who have Down's Syndrome posse obesity Risk. If your not sure what Downs Syndrome is, let me give you a working definition. It is a congenital disorder, caused by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome, in which the affected person has mild to moderate mental retardation, short stature, and a flattened facial profile. Also called...

Discover what's what in the supplement worlds and how you can avoid wasting your precious $$$ on worthless supplements. If you were to build the house of Spokane fitness - nutrition, exercise, and motivation would make up the foundation; they would also make up the framing, the walls, the roof and pretty much the whole house. Supplements would then maybe be the satellite dish, or perhaps the little gnomes in your garden - not real worthwhile without the house there. So why would you treat supplements as a precursor to weight loss and write off nutrition and exercise as expendable activities. Are you one of these serial supplement users? Do you subscribe to the "abc" product plan or the "xyz...

Genetic diseases are surely one of the most dangerous factors for human?s health. These disorders are due to abnormalitites in genetic material (also known as genome) of humans. Genetic diseases are categorized in four main types according to where does the disorder happens. The four types of Genetic disorders are: 1) Single-gene/monogenic Genetic Diseases: In this type of genetic diseases the abnormality happens in one gene. To be more specific, the starting point is a mutation in a single gene. This can lead to production of a defective protein that cannot carry out its function. This is what causes the single gene disorder. There are 6000 known single gene diseases, including cystic fibrosis...

Many parents may not be aware of what it takes to be an intentional parent. Of course, parenting is an ongoing process that teaches parents new things each day and leaves much more that needs to be learnt before they become a good parent. With their busy schedules, it is hard enough for them to be a good parent and intentional parenting may seem quite daunting and unattainable at first. Not Necessarily Perfect Parenting Intentional parenting may not be perfect parenting; instead, it refers to a parent that has mentally determined that some action or result related to parenting need to be performed. In other words, the intentional parent is an "on purpose" parent. Parents often tend to react to their...

Is it getting harder and harder for you to maintain your weight? Maybe you've noticed significant weight gain despite the fact that you haven't changed your eating or exercise habits? Do you exercise every day but can't seem to lose weight? Then, perhaps Syndrome X is to blame. Syndrome X is a serious problem that can adversely affect your health. In addition to weight problems, Syndrome X has been linked to heart disease, hypoglycemia and menstrual imbalances. It is also a precursor to developing Diabetes Type 2. Syndrome X is also referred to as Metabolic Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome X and Insulin Resistance. It is a very common disease; however it is widely overlooked by many medical...

Irritable bowel syndrome is an everyday occurrence and makes up about twenty to twenty five percent of visits to gastroenterologists. It is a disorder of the bowels involving irregular patterns and movements resulting in uncomfortable bathroom breaks. There are various levels of IBS that vary in severity and can actually result in fever, acute diarrhea, and even vomiting for those whose symptoms spawned from an infection. There are many potential symptoms for IBS or IBS. Generally the tell-tale sign that one is coming down with some discomfort in the abdominal area. This can happen if there are changes in patterns of your bowel habits. Normally it is relieved by doing number 2 in the bathroom. It...

For me, there was a time when I took God as well as my life for granted. It was the period in my life when all seemed to be right and there were no obstacles on the smooth road of my life. My husband and I were going to become parents for the second time and we were both somewhere in heaven, until one day, when we got a telephone call from the Genetic Counselor. We got to know that our second child had a very weak bit of heart and a Down Syndrome. It seemed that our entire life and our world were ruined. In that moment when our lives changed considerably and could not do anything, we appealed to God asking him for help. It s needless to say that in the end we did not save our baby, she died at five...

The first 0-12 weeks of a woman's pregnancy is called the first trimester. It is during this period that a woman's body experiences drastic changes during pregnancy. Discomforts and others may or may not be experienced by a pregnant woman during this time, to help you cope with it here are a list of the most common changes and discomforts and how to effectively deal with them. Morning sickness and Nausea The stretching of the uterine muscles and the pressure on the digestive tract due to the baby growing can cause increased stomach acids, the body reacts to this increase by releasing it through vomiting. As such, a woman's sense of smell is on hyperdrive during pregnancy; this can also increase...

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized as abdominal pain and discomfort, gas and bloating, loose and frequent bowel movements, or constipation. Naturopaths for years have observed beneficial effects of acidophilus on IBS. Now there are clinical controlled studies to back up what the naturopaths have been saying for years. Acidophilus can boost intestinal flora (probiotics) and stabilize the intestines helping people get relief from IBS. You may be wondering what is a probiotic? The term probiotic comes from 'pro', which means 'for', and 'bios', which means 'life'. So probiotic means 'for life'. Probiotic is a term used to describe nutritional supplements that contain live bacteria...

You may or may not agree with this statement but I truly believe that toy pomeranian puppies are the cutest ever. They are so fluffy and cuddly. A puppy of any dog breed is gorgeous I know, but they grow up into big dogs and that is the difference with the pomerian (as some people spell it) because when these little treasures grow up they still look like toy pomeranian puppies. You always feel like you own a puppy instead of a full-grown dog. Being a toy breed means they are small and often fragile so they do need some extra care especially around young children. When they are puppys this is even more important. Just squeezing too tightly or being dropped can be fatal. If you are interested in...

A disease caused by any abnormality in a person's genes or chromosomes is called a genetic disorder. Several diseases have a genetic side to them. Some genetic disorders are inherited. Since you inherit genes from your parents, you may also inherit any abnormality in the gene. That is one of the tenets of genetics, the branch of biology associated with the study of genes and their effects. A gene that has undergone a mutation (alteration) is passed down through a family and the genetic disorder caused by the mutated gene can affect children of all the subsequent generations. These mutations, or alterations, in genes can occur due to exposure to environmental toxins or may occur randomly. Genetic...

Carpal tunnel syndrome (or CTS for short) is a medical condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. CTS is more common in women than it is in men, and has a peak incidence around the age of 50. What is your job or profession? The work you do may damage your body and it does not matter if you know it or not. I am worried for my neighbor who works in the automotive business. In particular, he does physical work on cars. I would have never imagined the negative effect of it on his health. He told me that in the morning, he sometimes cannot even make a fist. Considering he is only 26 years old. He also takes paint fumes in his work which cause some damage to the brain and lungs over...

Every year, one child in every 800 to 1,000 births will be born with a condition known as Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a disorder in which the child has extra genetic material. This extra genetic material causes the baby to develop differently in the womb. This abnormal development occurs during the early stages of cell division, soon after conception. There is no known reason for Down syndrome or a cure for it. The disorder came by its name when an English physician, John Langdon Down, published a description of the characteristics of a person with the condition in 1886. Since Dr. Down was the first person to give the syndrome a name, the disorder is known as Down syndrome. The Common Forms of...

The Down syndrome is also known as trisomy 21 or Down's syndrome. A patient affected by Down syndrome suffers from acute abnormalities in body functioning which arises from the person's abnormal body structure. The root cause of Down syndrome is the 21st chromosome (DNA). This dysfunction can occur due to the presence of just a portion of the chromosome or the entire genetic material... The Down syndrome symptoms were first documented in detail by the English physician, John Langdon Down, way back in 1866. Hence, it is in his name that the ailment is named. The chromosomal abnormalities insofar as its shape or number is concerned were clearly identified in the 1950s...

Frequent arguments cause a lot of damage to a relationship. In each relationship, there is a baseline. This baseline is where the couple wants to be. Everything is good and they feel close to each other. When they have an argument, they drop below the baseline and thus need to return to the baseline so that they can feel close again. But suppose they get into another argument before they return to the baseline; this pushes them even further below the baseline. They now have even more ground to cover before they can return to the baseline. If another argument occurs, they push themselves even further below. This can go on and on until the baseline seem unreachable. The couple tries...

You wouldn't believe the website I found the other day. It was a free website made by a boy who has Down Syndrome. I was curious, so I clicked on it, and was immediately in for a shock. Inside was the story of a boy who had Down Syndrome who rock-climbed, was an avid speed-skater, and played sports like soccer and tennis. There were pictures of him overcoming obstacles and competing with teams, as well as a picture of the dozens of gold medals he had won in the Special Olympics. On his car he had a sticker that read "Powered by an extra chromosome!" By this world's standards today, this boy would be considered very handicapped, and yet he was out there participating in things that even I myself...

Syringoma is a benign adnexal neoplasm formed by well-differentiated ductal elements. Syringoma is a non-cancerous (benign) bump usually found on the upper cheeks and lower eyelids of young adults. A syringoma is a skin coloured or yellowish firm rounded bump, one to three millimetres in diameter. Syringoma is completely harmless and is caused by the overgrowth of cells from sweat glands. Syringomas are often treated by electrosurgery (diathermy) or laser. This may or may not prove successful and can result in small scars. Syringomas can appear at any age, though they usually occur after puberty. Syringomas can develop in people of any race and of either gender, though females are more commonly...

WWhat is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disorder that is very common and affects mainly the large intestine. It is called a syndrome since it comes with a group of symptoms such as cramping, bloating, diarrhea, gas and constipation. Contrary to common notion Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a disease but more of a functional disorder. This means that the large intestine is not properly functioning. Like for instance when you eat too much, the muscles in your bowel contracts causing cramping and diarrhea. Although painful but it does not damage the bowel or the large intestine unlike any other diseases. Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Different people exhibit different...

PCOS is a disease that effects up to 10% of pre-menopausal woman. It is a female hormonal disorder and is the forming of multiple abnormal ovarian cysts on the ovaries. Most of the cysts are harmless as they are merely fluid-filled sacs containing immature eggs that have attached to the ovary instead of releasing the egg. However, some cysts can continue to grow without dissolving or disintegrating on its own and start to haemorrhage which is extremely painful and dangerous. PCOS can be identified and confirmed by means of an ultra sound or scan of the abdomen of a woman. Symptoms which can indicate that you could be suffering from PCOS is the following: · irregular/heavy or absent periods...

Theme parties are always great fun for any child's birthday party. Does your child have a favorite movie, book, TV show, favorite character, or maybe your child likes animals or has a favorite sport or past time. Well how about using one of your child's favorites as the theme for their birthday party. Planning Your Party If your child is old enough, sit down with them and ask what kind of theme they'd like for their party. Then, keeping your budget in mind, as well as space limitations and preparation time, choose a theme and start making plans. Once you've decided on a theme for your child's birthday party, you'll find that everything begins to fall right in place. Kid Birthday Party Invitations...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition, but in some ways it is still a mystery. There are many different theories about what causes the syndrome, and different doctors will give you different reasons for your illness - anything from stress to bad bacteria to food intolerance. And once you have been diagnosed, there is no set form of treatment - instead, sufferers tend to try two or three supplements or therapies to find a combination that works for them. IBS is clearly a complicated issue, so here is a basic overview of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. The symptoms Although the symptoms of IBS vary from person to person, there are several symptoms which are...