QuesenberryNewlin615

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 the day she died. As a young person, I didn't know what it absolutely was. My grandmother was a proud woman and didn't talk about it. I only knew because my mother told me. After she passed on and I got older, I decided I had to learn just what it was that took my grandmother. This short article provides you with the basic facts about what Gaucher Disease is and what treatments can be found.

The first thing that surprised me to discover was that Gaucher Disease is most common among people that are either Jewish or from Eastern or Central Europe. Coming from a Jewish home, it explained a lot to me. Another thing that i learned that also astonished, and in addition scared me was that Gaucher Disease can be inherited, meaning it's passed on from your own parents. The probability of inheriting the disease 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 time.

What exactly is Gaucher Disease? Well, it's really a genetic mutation that effects organs such as the liver and spleen. The actual illness is brought on by an enzyme deficiency that consequently causes fatty substances to accumulate in these organs. In my grandmother's case it was in both her liver and her spleen. The disease causes an enlargement of those organs. This explains why my grandmother, who weighed most of 80 pounds, appeared to be she had a basketball in her stomach.

You can find, unfortunately, many more symptoms besides an enlarged liver or spleen. Other symptoms include difficulties with blood clotting, easy bruising, fractures for no apparent reason, as well as bleeding when brushing one's teeth.

Detecting if some one 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 three types of Gaucher Disease, but type one is the most frequent and the type that my grandmother experienced.

Fortunately, we have come a considerable ways since the 60s, when my grandmother suffered from this disease until she passed on in 1974. Today, you can find enzyme replacement therapies which are actually quite effective in treating Gaucher Disease. Also, an excellent diet, low in saturated fats and meats, high in fruits and vegetable, will even aid in battle this disease.

Those who are experiencing this disease can actually live a long time with it. My grandmother developed this disease very young in life whilst still being lived to be 66 years old.

In the event that you or even a loved one is suffering from Gaucher Disease, there is hope. Please visit your doctor and have him what treatments are available in your area.