User:MommyHughes154

2012-02-22T06:55:51Z

MommyHughes154: Created page with "It is a subject that, unfortunately, is very near to my heart. My grandmother, who practically raised me while my mom was out working, experienced Gaucher Disease until the day s..."

It is a subject that, unfortunately, is very near to my heart. My grandmother, who practically raised me while my mom was out working, experienced Gaucher Disease until the day she died. As a young person, I didn't know what it was. My grandmother was a proud woman and didn't discuss it. I only knew because my mother told me. After she passed on and I obtained older, I decided I had to know precisely what it was that took my grandmother. This informative article will give you the basic facts about what Gaucher Disease is and what treatments are available.

First thing that surprised me to learn was that [http://www.gaucherdisease.info Gaucher Disease] is most frequent among people who are either Jewish or from Eastern or Central Europe. Coming from a Jewish home, it explained too much to me. Another thing that i learned that also astonished, and also scared me was that Gaucher Disease is also inherited, meaning it's passed on from your parents. The chances of inheriting the disease decrease with each generation that the disease itself doesn't show up. Within my family, it's now 3 generations since, so we're probably pretty safe at this point.

What exactly is Gaucher Disease? Well, it is a genetic mutation that effects organs like the liver and spleen. The particular disease is due to an enzyme deficiency that in turn causes fatty substances to build up in these organs. In my grandmother's case it was in both her liver and her spleen. The disease causes an enlargement of these organs. This explains why my grandmother, who weighed all of 80 pounds, looked like she had a basketball in her stomach.

There are, unfortunately, many more symptoms besides an enlarged liver or spleen. Other symptoms include problems with blood clotting, easy bruising, fractures for no apparent reason, and even bleeding when brushing the teeth.

Detecting if some body has Gaucher Disease is just a simple matter. A blood test is all that is needed. The enzyme deficiency will show in the liver and spleen. There are actually three kinds of Gaucher Disease, but type one is the most frequent and the type that my grandmother endured.

Fortunately, we have come a long way since the 60s, when my grandmother suffered from this illness until she passed on in 1974. Today, there are enzyme replacement therapies which are actually quite effective in treating Gaucher Disease. Also, a good diet, low in saturated fats and meats, full of fruits and vegetable, will even help in battle this illness.

Those who are suffering from this infection can actually live quite a long time with it. My grandmother developed this disease very young in life but still lived to be 66 years old.

If you or a loved one is struggling with Gaucher Disease, there is hope. Please visit your doctor and get him what treatments can be found in your area.

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