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User:MoinaForrester948

2012-02-22T06:50:54Z

MoinaForrester948: Created page with 'This is a subject that, unfortunately, is extremely near to my heart. My grandmother, who practically raised me while my mom was out working, suffered from Gaucher Disease before…'

This is a subject that, unfortunately, is extremely near to my heart. My grandmother, who practically raised me while my mom was out working, suffered from Gaucher Disease before day she died. As a young person, I did not know what it had been. My grandmother was a proud woman and didn't talk about it. I only knew because my mother explained. After she offered and I acquired older, I decided I had to learn just what it was that took my grandmother. This informative article will provide you with the basic facts about what Gaucher Disease is and what treatments can be found.

The very first thing that surprised me to discover 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. One more thing that I learned that also amazed, and also scared me was that Gaucher Disease is also inherited, meaning it's passed on from your parents. The likelihood of inheriting the illness decrease with each generation that the disease itself doesn't show up. In my family, it is now 3 generations since, so we're probably pretty safe at this point.

So what is Gaucher Disease? Well, it is a genetic mutation that effects organs like the liver and spleen. The particular illness is brought on by an enzyme deficiency that subsequently causes fatty substances to amass in these organs. Within my grandmother's case it was in both her liver and her spleen. The condition causes an enlargement of those organs. This explains why my grandmother, who weighed all 80 pounds, looked like she had a basketball in her stomach.

You will find, regrettably, 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 tooth.

Detecting if some body has Gaucher Disease is 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 types of Gaucher Disease, but type one is the most frequent and the type that my grandmother suffered from.

Fortuitously, we've come a long way considering that the 60s, when my grandmother endured this illness until she passed away in 1974. Today, there are enzyme replacement therapies which are actually quite effective in treating Gaucher Disease. Also, a good diet, low in fats and meats, saturated in fruits and vegetable, will also help in battle this disease.

Those who are experiencing this disease can actually live quite a long time with it. My grandmother developed this infection very young in life and still lived to be 66 years of age.

In the event that you or even a cherished one is struggling with Gaucher Disease, there is hope. Please visit your doctor and ask him what treatments are available in your area.

MoinaForrester948

2012-02-22T06:50:51Z