Gigantism Disease

What is Gigantism?

Gigantism is a very rare condition that occurs during childhood, in which there is extreme 

bone, muscle and organ growth. Gigantism is caused by an overproduction of growth 

hormone (GH) that occurs before a child’s bone growth plates have closed. This results in 
excessive growth and abnormally tall height. People with gigantism generally have very 
large hands, fingers, toes and heads. They also have changes in related characteristics, 
including coarse skin, excessive sweat production, and a very deep voice. They may have 
enlarged internal organs, such as the heart, kidneys, brain and tongue. This can cause 
complications, including high blood pressure, severe headaches, sleep apnea, diabetes, 
diminished vision, and heart failure. 

Causes

• Pituitary tumor - Growth hormone producing tumors
• Wiedemann Opitz syndrome - Gigantism
• Pituitary
• Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (MAS syn)
• Gigantism
• Weaver syndrome (Marshall-Smith)
• Simpson dysmorphia syndrome
• Sclerosteosis - gigantism
• Cortical hyperostosis-syndactyly - gigantism
• Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome
• Cerebral gigantism of childhood (Sotos)
• Acromegaly (Gigantism)

Symptoms

Gigantism is characterized by extreme growth. Children with gigantism are very tall for their age and may also have the following conditions:

• Enlarged hands, fingers, toes, head or tongue
• Excessive sweat production
• Headaches
• Irregular menstrual periods in teens
• Late onset of puberty
• Obesity
• Production of breast milk (galactorrhea)
• Unusually large jaw, prominent forehead, and thick facial features
• Vision distortion, such as double vision and problems with peripheral vision
• Weakness and tingling in the arms and legs due to enlarging tissues compressing nerves

Medical treatments of gigantism

Medications may be used to reduce GH release, block the effects of GH, or prevent growth in stature. They include:

• Dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine mesylate (Cycloset, Parlodel) and cabergoline (Dostinex), which reduce
• GH releaseGH antagonist, pegvisomant (Somavert), which blocks the effects of GH
• Sex hormone therapy, such as estrogen and testosterone, which may inhibit the growth of long bones
• Somatostatin analogs, such as octreotide (Sandostatin) and long-acting lanreotide (Somatuline Depot), which reduce GH release

Other treatments of gigantism

Other treatments of gigantism include:

• Radiation of the pituitary gland to regulate GH. This is generally considered the least desirable treatment option because of its limited effectiveness and side effects that can include obesity, emotional impairment, and learning disabilities
• Surgery to remove a pituitary tumor, which is the treatment of choice for well-defined pituitary tumors

Sources

http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/g/gigantism/treatments.htm

http://www.localhealth.com/article/gigantism/treatments

Endocrinologist

Who are endocrinologists?

Endocrinologists are internal medicine doctors who specialize in the study of hormones produced by the pituitary glands, pancreas, thyroid and other internal organs. Some conditions treated by endocrinologists include diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity, infertility, osteoporosis and metabolic disorders. Typical job duties can include helping diabetic patients control their blood sugar, prescribing hormone replacement therapies for women undergoing menopause or creating diet and exercise regimens for patients with lipid disorders. Endocrinologists also use a variety of diagnostic procedures, such as fine-needle biopsies, blood glucose monitoring and bone density tests.

Duties

Because most endocrine disorders are chronic diseases that require life-long care, endocrinologists must be thoroughly trained in understanding, treating and managing these problems. Additionally, they must be able to help patients cope with the physical limitations from diseases like diabetes and hypothyroidism. Daily duties may range from ordering tests to prescribing medications.

Education

To become endocrinologists, students must first earn a bachelor's degree and then begin the application process for medical school. Students receive their medical degree after successful completion of a 4-year medical school program. Most endocrinologists complete a 3- or 4-year residency in internal medicine, pediatrics or gynecology before finishing their training with a 3-year fellowship in adult, pediatric or reproductive endocrinology. Only after completing this entire process and obtaining a state license can an endocrinologist begin unsupervised practice.

Salary

According to March 2012 figures on Salary.com, the median annual salary for endocrinologists was over $193,000, which sounds pretty good until you compare it to the salaries of other specialists. For example, the median annual salary for gastroenterologists was around $319,000, while invasive cardiologists earned about $358,000.

Sources

http://education-portal.com/articles/Endocrinologist_Job_Description_and_Info_for_Students_Considering_a_Career_in_Endocrinology.html

http://diplomaguide.com/articles/Endocrinologist_Career_Summary.html

Ulcer Disease

Causes

No single cause has been found for ulcers. However, it is now clear that an ulcer is the end result of an imbalance between digestive fluids in the stomach and duodenum. Ulcers can be caused by:

• Infection with a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
• Use of painkillers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, and others), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Midol, and others), and many others available by prescription. Even safety-coated aspirin and aspirin in powered form can frequently cause ulcers.
• Excess acid production from gastrinomas, tumors of the acid producing cells of the stomach that increases acid output (seen in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain
  
  • May wake you at night
  • May be relieved by antacids or milk
  • May occur 2 to 3 hours after a meal
  • May be worse if you don''t eat
• Nausea
• Abdominal indigestion
• Vomiting, especially vomiting blood
• Blood in stools or black, tarry stools
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue

In severe cases, symptoms can include:

• Dark or black stool (due to bleeding)
• Vomiting blood (that can look like "coffee-grounds")
• Weight loss
• Severe pain in the mid to upper abdomen

How Serious Is an Ulcer?

Though ulcers often heal on their own, you shouldn't ignore their warning signs. If not properly treated, ulcers can lead to serious health problems, including:

• Bleeding
• Perforation (a hole through the wall of the stomach)
• Gastric outlet obstruction from swelling or scarring that blocks the passageway leading from the stomach to the small intestine.

Taking NSAIDs can cause any of the above symptoms without warning. The risk is especially concerning for the elderly and for those with a prior history of having peptic ulcer disease.

Who Is More Likely to Get Ulcers?

You may be more likely to develop ulcers if you:

• Are infected with the H. pylori bacterium
• Take NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen
• Have a family history of ulcers
• Have another illness such as liver, kidney, or lung disease
• Drink alcohol regularly
• Are 50 years old or older

Treatments

For people with Helicobacter pylori infection, the main goal is to get rid of the bacteria that causes the infection. Many different medicines work. They usually include either an H2 receptor antagonist such as famotidine (Pepcid) or nizatidine (Axid) or a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or esomeprazole (Nexium) to suppress acid, combined with two antibiotics.

After you finish your medicines, your doctor will likely order a test to make sure that the H. pylori infection is gone.

Those who do not have an H. pylori infection may be prescribed ulcer-healing medications such as antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, or proton pump inhibitors. Long-term treatment may be needed.

If the ulcer bleeds, endoscopy can control bleeding in most cases.

Surgery may be recommended for persons who do not respond to medicines or endoscopy. Surgical procedures for gastric ulcers include:

• Vagotomy -- cuts the vagus nerve, which controls the stomach''s production of gastric acid 
• Partial gastrectomy -- removes part of the stomach

Self-help measures include eating several small meals a day at regular time periods and avoiding the following:

• Smoking
• Tea, coffee, and soft drinks containing caffeine
• Alcohol
• Aspirin and NSAIDs

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-peptic-ulcer-disease

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/gastric-ulcer/overview.html?inline=nyt-classifier

Nutritionist

What does a nutritionist do?

Dietitians and nutritionists primarily supervise meal preparation, oversee the serving of meals and plan food and nutrition programs. They promote health eating habits and recommend dietary modifications in order to prevent and treat illnesses.

For service systems for institutions, including schools and hospitals, dietitians conduct research and promote sound eating habits through education. From there, many dietitians specialize, becoming community dietitian, management dietitian, clinical dietitian or consultant.

In hospitals, nursing care facilities and other institutions, clinical dietitians provide nutritional services to patients. Some of their responsibilities include, assessing patients nutritional needs, developing nutrition programs and evaluating and reporting on results. They must also communicate with healthcare professionals to coordinate nutritional and medical needs. In nursing care facilities, small hospitals or correctional facilities, clinical dietitians may manage the food service department.

Focus:

• Designing individual nutritional therapies to address specific health issues, such as unhealthy weight, diabetes or hypertension
• Developing facility-wide nutrition programs for health care, educational, correctional and other institutions
• Increasing public awareness of proper nutritional standards and habits
• Improving the accuracy and comprehension of food labels
• Ensuring the safety of our food supply
• Researching how changes in diet (such as reducing salt intake) affect health (by reducing blood pressure)
• Working with food manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of prepared foods

Education

The minimum education requirement for most positions as a dietitian or nutritionist is a bachelors degree in dietetics, food service systems management, foods and nutrition or another related area. Graduate degrees may also be pursued. Common course loads include, nutrition, food, statistics, psychology, economics, computer science and sociology.

Salary

Dietitians and nutritionists have a median annual wage of $52,150. The highest 10 percent earn more than $74,690, while the lowest 10 percent earn less than $33,230. The middle 50 percent earn between $42,400 and $63,460. The median annual wages for top industries for dietitians and nutritionists are:

Outpatient care centers: $52,120
General medical and surgical hospitals: $51,390
Nursing care facilities: $47,390
Local government: $47,390
Special food services: $45,410

Sources

http://www.campusexplorer.com/careers/F63457EB/dietitians-and-nutritionists/

http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Field/25/NutritionDietetics

Synesthesia Disease

What is Synethesia Disease?

Synesthesia is defined as "senses coming together". At its simplest level, synesthesia means that when a certain sense or part of a sense is activated, another unrelated sense or part of a sense is activated concurrently. For example, when someone hears a sound, he or she immediately sees a color or shape in his or her "mind's eye." People that have synesthesia are called synesthetes.

Causes

The cause of synesthesia is not clearly understood. It is believed to have a genetic component,  although the specific genes involved remain unclear. Nearly 40% of those who possess synesthesia have a relative with the condition as well.

However, specific forms of synesthesia vary amongst family members suggesting that genes predispose a person to synesthesia but don't regulate the expression of synesthesia.

It has been proposed that synesthesia results from an excess number of neural connections between associated senses, possibly because of decreased neural pruning between regions as a fetus. In basic terms, two senses are crossed in the brain allowing them both to fire at once.

Types of Synesthesia

• Projector synesthetes perceive colors for letters, or see color when letters or numbers are noted
• Association synesthetes see colors in the mind's eye, meaning they perceive it internally rather than seeing the physical object as color
• Perceptual synesthetes are triggered by sights and sounds
• Conceptual synesthetes perceive based on the abstract such as time, for example each month may be represented by a specific color

Symptoms

• Involuntary - the synesthete does not think about the perception, it just simply occurs to them
• Projected - the perception doesn’t only occur within the mind, instead it is also seen outside of one's body
• Durable - the perception is consistent every time the sense is used (i.e., the letter "q" is orange every time it is seen)
• Generic - one would see colors or lines, for example, in connection to a certain smell, word, sound, but would not see a room full of people and furniture
• Memorable - the secondary perception is often more memorable than the primary, for example if a person associates a specific color with a person's name they may recall the person's name as being that color easier than recalling the actual name
• Emotional - these perceptions may cause emotional reactions, most often pleasant ones, that arise each time the perception is felt

Several traits that synesthetes tend to share include:

• Confusing right and left, north and south, and similar
• A terrible sense of direction or navigation
• Possess an incredible memory
• Experience migraine
• Typically an introvert
• Creative mind, artistically talented
• Perfectionist
• Ticklish, more so than most

Treatments

Most patients with synesthesia would argue against treatment for their condition, as treatment would entail reducing or removing one of the senses. Having heightened senses is not typically debilitating, and therefore not something that needs to be corrected. If it begins to affect quality of life, a doctor may be able to assist in seeking treatment to reduce the stimulation of the sense causing the trouble.

For those seeking to know more about their condition, hypnosis has been shown to produce the best results in learning more about how an individual's senses are crossed. Some professionals do warn that synesthesia is similar to a hallucination, but one that persists through the conscious mind. Undergoing hypnosis can help to dig into the dream state where imagery may play into false memories or fabricated perceptions that the conscious mind has never challenged previously.

Sources:

http://www.bu.edu/synesthesia/faq/

http://bandbacktogether.com/synesthesia-resources/

Asthma Disease

What is Asthma? 

Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition (long-lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic.

The inside walls of an asthmatic's airways are swollen or inflamed. This swelling or inflammation makes the airways extremely sensitive to irritations and increases your susceptibility to an allergic reaction.

As inflammation causes the airways to become narrower, less air can pass through them, both to and from the lungs. Symptoms of the narrowing include wheezing (a hissing sound while breathing), chest tightness, breathing problems, and coughing. Asthmatics usually experience these symptoms most frequently during the night and the early morning.

Causes of Asthma

• An inherited tendency to develop allergies, called atopy (AT-o-pe)
• Parents who have asthma
• Certain respiratory infections during childhood
• Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in infancy or in early childhood when the immune system is developing

Signs and Symptoms of Asthma

• Coughing. Coughing from asthma often is worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep.
• Wheezing. Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe.
• Chest tightness. This may feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest.
• Shortness of breath. Some people who have asthma say they can't catch their breath or they feel out of breath. You may feel like you can't get air out of your lungs.

Treatment

Asthma is not so much "treated" as it is "controlled". As a chronic, long-term disease, there is no cure. However, there are tools and medicines to help you control asthma as well as benchmarks to gauge your progress.

Sources:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/asthma/medicines-and-devices.php

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/signs.html

Tools We Use to Study the Brain

CAT scan (computer axial tomography) is an X-ray procedure that combines many X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs and structures of the body. CAT scans are performed to analyze the internal structures of various parts of the body. 
Source: 
http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/diagradiology/639/
http://www.medicinenet.com/cat_scan/article.htm


Structural Magnetic Resonance Image is a radiology technique that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. An MRI scan can be used as an extremely accurate method of disease detection throughout the body and is most often used after the other testing fails to provide sufficient information to confirm a patient's diagnosis.
Source:
http://www.medicinenet.com/mri_scan/article.htm

Diffusion-Tensor MRI (DTI) is a method that provides a description of the diffusion of water through tissue, and can be used to highlight structural changes in tissue tracts. This form of MRI measures how water molecules diffuse through body tissues and it is used to diagnose conditions like stroke or disorders like multiple sclerosis. 
Source:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/neuroimaging/research_methods/diffusion_tensor.html
http://www.livescience.com/39074-what-is-an-mri.html

EEG (electroencephalograph) is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of your brain. An EEG is one of the main diagnostic tests for epilepsy and may also play a role in diagnosing other brain disorders.

Source:
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/electroencephalogram-eeg-21508
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/eeg/basics/definition/prc-20014093













PET Scan (Positron emission tomography)  is an imaging test that can help reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. PET works by using a scanning device (a machine with a large hole at its center) to detect positrons (subatomic particles) emitted by a radionuclide in the organ or tissue being examined.
Source:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pet-scan/basics/definition/prc-20014301
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/neurological/positron_emission_tomography_pet_scan_92,P07654/


fMRI (functional MRI) is a technique for measuring brain activity. It works by detecting the changes in blood oxygenation and flow that occur in response to neural activity – when a brain area is more active it consumes more oxygen and to meet this increased demand blood flow increases to the active area and it can also be used to produce activation maps showing which parts of the brain are involved in a particular mental process.

Source:

http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-functional-magnetic-resonance-imaging-fmri/0001056

TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation)  is a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. TMS is a non-invasive method of brain stimulation that relies on electromagnetic induction using an insulated coil placed over the scalp, focused on an area of the brain thought to play a role in mood regulation; the coil generates brief magnetic pulses, which pass easily and painlessly through the skull and into the brain. 
Source:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation/basics/definition/prc-20020555
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/specialty_areas/brain_stimulation/tms/

Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related, non-reversible brain disorder that develops over a period of years. Initially, people experience memory loss and confusion, which may be mistaken for the kinds of memory changes that are sometimes associated with normal aging. However, the symptoms of AD gradually lead to behavior and personality changes, a decline in cognitive abilities such as decision-making and language skills, and problems recognizing family and friends. This disease may lead to a severe loss of mental function. These losses are related to the worsening breakdown of the connections between certain neurons in the brain and their eventual death. It is one of a group of disorders called dementias that are characterized by cognitive and behavioral problems. It is the most common cause of dementia among people age 65 and older.

What Causes Alzheimer's Disease?
Scientists don’t yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but it has become increasingly clear that it develops because of a complex series of events that take place in the brain over a long period of time. It is likely that the causes include some mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Because people differ in their genetic make-up and lifestyle, the importance of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s may differ from person to person.

Treatments
Alzheimer’s disease is complex, and it is unlikely that any one intervention will be found to delay, prevent, or cure it. That’s why current approaches in treatment and research focus on several different aspects, including helping people maintain mental function, managing behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delaying the symptoms of disease.  Currently there are no medicines that can slow the progression of this disease. However, four FDA-approved medications are used to treat AD symptoms. These drugs help individuals carry out the activities of daily living by maintaining thinking, memory, or speaking skills. They can also help with some of the behavioral and personality changes associated with AD. However, they will not stop or reverse AD and appear to help individuals for only a few months to a few years. Donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne) are prescribed to treat mild to moderate AD symptoms. Donepezil was recently approved to treat severe AD as well. The newest AD medication is memantine (Namenda), which is prescribed to treat moderate to severe AD symptoms.

Diagnosing Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Doctors will:

• Ask questions about overall health, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality
• Conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language
• Carry out standard medical tests, such as blood and urine tests, to identify other possible causes of the problem
• Perform brain scans, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to distinguish Alzheimer’s from other possible causes for symptoms, like stroke or tumor

Sources

http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/alzheimersdisease/alzheimersdisease.htm

Optometrist Career Information

Job Description

Optometrists provide primary vision care. They diagnose and treat eye diseases and disorders. They determine whether vision correction is needed and if it is they prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. Some optometrists specialize in a particular clientele or type of treatment. For example some treat patients with low vision and others provide post-operative care to patients who have undergone surgery. Other practitioners who provide vision care are ophthalmologists and opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who, unlike optometrists, can perform eye surgery. Opticians fit eyeglasses and make adjustments to them but do not examine eyes, make diagnoses or treat diseases and conditions.

Working Conditions

Optometrists work in settings (usually their own offices) that are clean, well-lit and 

comfortable. Most full-time optometrists work about 40 hours a week. Many work Saturdays 

and evenings to suit the needs of patients. Emergency calls, once uncommon, have 

increased with the passage of therapeutic drug laws expanding optometrists' ability to 

prescribe medications.

Education

Requirements for admission to schools of optometry include courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. A few schools require or recommend courses in psychology, history, sociology, speech, or business. Applicants must take the Optometry Admissions Test, which measures academic ability and scientific comprehension. Most applicants take the test after their sophomore or junior year. Competition for admission is keen. Optometry programs include classroom and laboratory study of health and visual sciences, as well as clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Courses in pharmacology, optics, vision science, biochemistry, and systemic disease are included. The OD degree requires completion of a four-year program at an accredited optometry school, preceded by at least three years of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. Most optometry students hold a baccalaureate or higher degree. 

Salary

Optometrists earned a median annual salary of $94,690 in 2011 and median hourly earnings of $45.53. Median annual earnings of salaried optometrists were $88,410 in May 2000. The middle 50 percent earned between $63,840 and $118,320. Median annual earnings of salaried optometrists in May 2009 were $87,430 in offices of optometrists. Salaried optometrists tend to earn more initially than do optometrists who set up their own practices. In the long run, however, those in private practice usually earn more. According to the American Optometric Association, median net annual income for all optometrists, including the self-employed, was $114,000 in 2009. The middle 50 percent earned between $84,000 and $166,000.

Sources

http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/11/Optometrist#Tab=Overview
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/optometrist.htm
http://www.schoolsoup.com/careers/career_info.php?career_id=68

Neurologist Career Info

Job Description

Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Neurologists are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with neurological disorders.

They treat and diagnose adults with neurological disorders. Pediatric neurologists treat neurological disease in children. Neurologists may also be involved in clinical research, clinical trials, as well as basic research and translational research. Physicians and surgeons diagnose illnesses and prescribe and administer treatment for people suffering from injury or disease. Physicians examine patients, obtain medical histories, and order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests. They counsel patients on diet, hygiene, and preventive health care.

Education Requirements

Since a neurologist is a type of physician, the training process is extensive and requires a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.) in addition to an undergraduate college degree:

• High school diploma
• 4-year undergraduate degree from university or college
• 4-year medical degree from accredited U.S. medical school (or foreign equivalent)
• 3 years of residency training in neurology

Premedical students must complete undergraduate work in physics, biology, mathematics, English, and inorganic and organic chemistry. Students also take courses in the humanities and the social sciences. Some students volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to gain practical experience in the health professions.

Working Environment

Neurologists usually work indoors in well lighted exam rooms and hospitals. Hours of work frequently exceed 60 hours a week in the busier practices. This typically can result in being awakened at all hours of the night and/or being asked to come in at irregular times to evaluate a patient. Typically a neurologist will work five days per week, plus on-call duties to handle patient emergencies. An average of about 40-50 hours per week is standard. On a full office day, a neurologist will see approximately 20-25 patients per day. Like most physicians, neurologists have about four to six weeks off for vacation annually, and they may have an additional week or two allowed off for CME coursework.

Salary

According to the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 2012 Compensation report, the average income for neurologists is $281,616, based on national averages. By region, neurologists earn the most in the South, with an average income there of $324,521 annually. By town size and population, neurologists in non-metropolitan areas with a population fewer than 50,000 earn the highest income on average, with a median income of $275,663, according to the MGMA physician compensation report.

Sources:

http://www.healthcaresalaryonline.com/neurologist-job-description.html

http://healthcareers.about.com/od/physiciancareers/p/How-To-Become-A-Neurologist.htm