How to Determine Whether Your Daughter has Triple X Syndrome

One in 1,000 females is affected by a health concern known as triple X syndrome. While most females have two X chromosomes – one from each parent – if your wellness is affected by triple X syndrome this means you have, as you may have guessed, three X chromosomes. This is usually due to an error in the formation of your mother’s egg cell or your father’s sperm cell, but sometimes triple X syndrome – also known as trisomy X, triplo X syndrome, XXX syndrome and 47,XXX – impacts your wellbeing as a result of an error occurring early in your embryonic development.

 

Usually, you have 46 chromosomes that occur in 22 pairs, plus two sex chromosomes, one maternal and one paternal. In these chromosomes, you’ll find the genes that carry the instructions determining everything from your height to your eye colour and, in one of these chromosome pairs, your sex. Your mum gives you an X chromosome but your dad can pass on either an X or a Y chromosome, which determines your sex. If your father passes on an X chromosome, you’re genetically a female with an XX pairing. If you receive a Y chromosome, your XY pair means you’re genetically a male.

 

If you’re a female with triple X syndrome, you have a third X chromosome, usually because your mother’s egg cell or your father’s sperm cell has not formed the way it should have. This random error in egg or sperm cell division is called non-disjunction and although it’s a genetic condition, it’s typically not inherited. Sometimes, the extra chromosome doesn’t appear until the embryo is in early development, and this is known as the mosaic form of triple X syndrome. When this happens, only some of your body’s cells have the third X chromosome, meaning your symptoms will be less severe.

 

In most cases, girls and women who have triple X syndrome experience no or mild symptoms. However, some females exhibit more pronounces symptoms, possibly including developmental delays, and this will determine what treatment options are appropriate. If symptoms do appear, they may include:

 

• Tall stature


• Vertical skinfolds that may cover the inner corners of your eyes (epicanthal folds)


• Delayed development of your speech and language skills


• Weak muscle tone (hypotonia)


• Curved pinky fingers (clinodactyly)


• Behavioural and mental health problems


• Premature ovarian failure or ovary abnormalities


• Constipation or abdominal pains

 

If you have a daughter and are concerned about her developmental progress, it might be wise to visit her doctor. He or she can help you to determine what may be the cause of these developmental concerns, and therefore can suggest appropriate action. It’s important to seek help as soon as possible, as delayed development could eventually lead to a variety of other issues, including academic problems, stress and poor socialisation skills that cause social isolation. There is also the chance, albeit a slight one, of your daughter developing:

 

• Premature ovarian failure or ovary abnormalities. Girls and women with triple X syndrome may have malformed ovaries, as well as being at risk of premature ovarian failure. This means their ovaries stop working before the expected age of menopause, which can cause infertility.


• Seizures. Girls and women with triple X syndrome are at risk of developing a seizure disorder.


• Kidney abnormalities. Females born with triple X syndrome may have one kidney or abnormally developed kidneys.

 

Doctor recommendations for triple X syndrome include periodic screenings throughout childhood, as this enables prompt treatment for any detected developmental delays or learning disabilities. A supportive, stress-free environment and psychological counselling may also be advised, as girls with triple X syndrome may be more susceptible to stress. While there’s no cure for triple X syndrome, the scarcity of symptoms – as well as the condition itself – means that it’s still possible to lead a normal, healthy life.

Categories: Chromosomes, delayed development, developmental delays, egg cell, Females, ovarian failure, ovary abnormalities, premature ovarian, sperm cell, syndrome, triple, Triple X Syndrome

Could You Be Suffering From Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome affects the sexual wellness and wellbeing of far more women that you may realise. Often abbreviated to PCOS, the condition affects between five and ten percent of all women. It is the most common endocrine condition in women who are of a reproductive age.

 

PCOS occurs when high levels of androgens (hormones) halt the development of eggs, and this leads to an enlarged follicle and immature egg. These are sometimes likened to a string of pearls, and the immature follicles are cysts. Usually, a follicle would rupture to release an egg, but in the case of PCOS, this does not happen and the follicle remains and is what is observed as a cyst during an ultrasound scan.

 

There are a variety of symptoms associated with PCOS. This is due to the fact that the disease comes alongside high levels of male homrones/androgens. These hormones are found in both women and men but they are generally thought of as more ‘male’ as they are found in much higher levels in men. These androgens include dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and androstenedione.

 

There is a strong link between polycystic ovaries and obesity, as well as insulin resistance (which is a precursor of type 2 diabetes). Women who are obese and suffering from PCOS will normally be given a treatment plan that involves a great deal of exercise and a restricted diet. About a third of the women who have PCOS and are obese also suffer from insulin resistance of diabetes.

 

In premenopausal women, around one in ten cases of diabetes is connected to PCOS. Having the syndrome may also increase your risk of developing heart disease, although further studies into this link still need to be carried out.

 

If you think you may be suffering from PCOS, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Categories: Diabetes, follicle, high levels, insulin resistance, nbsp, ovary, pcos, polycystic, syndrome, Women

How to Deal with Empty Nest Syndrome when Your Kids are Gone

Your kids are often the culprits when it comes to your fragile mental health, but the funny thing is they hit you hardest when they’re no longer around. Whether your children go off to Uni, leave the country or move out to start a new job, Empty Nest Syndrome can have a huge impact on your wellbeing, as you can feel like they no longer need you, and that you no longer have an identity.

 

As a parent, your wellness is inextricably linked to your children. When they start their own lives, you can become derailed, especially if you’ve been staying at home and putting your own work and hobbies on hold in order to take care of them. You might think that mothers are more at risk to Empty Nest Syndrome than fathers, but actually studies conducted by Helen M DeVries, an associate professor of psychology at Wheaton College in the US, have shown that fathers are more affected by children leaving home as they are not prepared for it.

 

Preparation, then, is key, so what can you do to get ready? By reading this article, you’ve already begun, as you need to acknowledge that your child will not need you in the same way forever. This is difficult to accept as parents, but planning ahead can help you to cope. Think about the time when they will lead their own lives away from you, and make a list of all the things you will get to do when you finally get that time off. Remember, you are more than just a mum or dad; you are an individual with your own personality that existed long before you children arrived. Don’t wait for your kids to leave to get back to that – make sure you have your own activities, hobbies and friends now, as well as spending time as a couple.

 

So, are you or your partner showing the symptoms of empty nest syndrome?

 

1. Depression. This is the most common symptom of Empty Nest Syndrome, and is cause for concern if it lasts over a week. This may involve excessive crying, feeling withdrawn from your normal routines or friends, decreased energy, insomnia and a persistent sad mood.

 

2. Feeling useless. For parents who stay at home, it’s common to feel that there is now nothing for you to do, and you are superfluous.

 

3. Marital problems. When your kids are round, they’re the priority, which means that problems in your marriage may not surface until there’s just you and your partner left. Now you may find issues emerge, which you will need to focus on as a couple.

 

If you experience Empty Nest Syndrome, there are things you can do to get your wellbeing back on track. Start by seeking counselling from a professional. Not only does it help to have someone to talk to, but counsellors can help you to look at the situation in a positive way, and take positive steps as a couple to rebuild your lives. This may begin with keeping yourself busy, and reclaiming some of the activities and hobbies you used to love before your time became taken up by parenting. If nothing old springs to mind, try something new, creative and fulfilling to beat the empty nest blues.

 

Another important aspect of rebuilding your emotional health is to fill your lives with good friends, be they from relationships you may have ignored over the years, new relationships, or ones you just want to strengthen and grow even more. The house won’t feel so empty if you’re always inviting someone round for tea, or going out. While your children may not be here anymore, this doesn’t mean that they’re out of your lives forever. It’s not like the days when you left home; there is all kinds of technology to help you keep in touch with your kids, wherever they are. You might not want to be a burden, but your kids will actually appreciate the odd phone call or text – just try not to phone every day!

Categories: couple nbsp, Empty Nest Syndrome, Friends, hobbies, Kids, lives, nbsp, nest, nest syndrome, syndrome

Six Common Diseases You Might Not Know About

There are many different disease that people have to live with, some of which are quite common and well known, while others are little known and sometimes not well understood. These six diseases commonly occur in human populations around the world though many people may not have heard of them.

 

Marfan Syndrome

Marfan Syndrome is a disease that affects the connective tissue of the body that helps to support organs and skeleton. Those who have this disease are usually tall and slender, with very long arms, legs, fingers and toes. The disease can worsen as the person ages, with increased heart problems, eye problems and skeletal problems. No cure exists for this disease, but it is treated with blood pressure medications, eye implants to assist vision and surgery to correct heart problems.

 

Lymphedema

Lymphedema is a condition of the lymphatic system of the human body. It causes swelling of an arm or leg and is often associated with cancer treatment. It occurs when a lymph gland becomes blocked and cannot drain lymph fluid from the body. Treatment is done by massaging the area, wrapping the area, exercising the body part to help drain fluid and compressing the area with special bandages. Surgery is sometimes needed to relieve swelling and pressure.

 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects the muscles and connective tissue of the body, causing pain, tender points, fatigue and sleep problems that are characteristic of the disease. Current treatments include medications such as Cymbalta and Lyrica, antidepressants and pain relievers.

 

Polymyalgia

Polymyalgia, also called polymyalgia rheumatica, is a disorder that causes inflammation and stiffness in the muscles. The person may experience both pain and stiffness in arms, legs, shoulders, neck or hips. Polymyalgia can also cause weight loss, lethargy and depression. Information about polymyalgia is not widely available, which can make it difficult to diagnose. Corticosteroid medication, methotrexate, and anti tumor necrosis factor drugs can be helpful for this condition.

 

Raynaud’s Disease

Raynaud’s disease is a rare condition that affects the blood vessels of the fingers, toes, tips of the ears and tip of the nose. It can cause extreme coldness and numbness in these areas or even stinging pain from lack of proper circulation. Calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers and vasodilators can help relax blood vessels to assist blood circulation.

 

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that weakens the heart. It is a serious condition that can cause death. Treatment attempts to manage symptoms to prevent further damage to the heart muscle. Medications and surgery to install a pacemaker can be helpful for these patients.

 

Although these diseases are not well known, many people live with them everyday, some people don’t even know they have it. If you have pain, or a medical issue that is bothering you, the best thing you can do is see a doctor and get an examination. The key to minimizing pain and avoiding future complications is knowledge. When you know if you are affected by a disease, you can treat it properly.

Categories: arms legs, blood vessels, body, common, connective tissue, Disease, diseases, Heart Problems, marfan syndrome, nbsp, Pain, syndrome

The Metabolic Syndrome Diet: How Does it Work?

The fast paced lifestyle we’ve become accustomed to means that we struggle to make time for a number of things, our diet and general wellbeing being one of them. It’s easy to put taking care of ourselves aside for the purpose of fitting more into the day, but eventually that attitude builds up to makes us rather ill. In more serious cases, it can even lead to us being more prone to developing diseases. The solution to this is simple – the metabolic syndrome diet. Metabolic syndrome is a result of the lifestyle choices many of us opt for, such as eating the wrong quantities and types of food, not exercising enough and being stressed all the time. There are a number of physical manifestations of this problem, such as abdominal fat, high risk of diabetes, cancers and bodily inflammation. The cost of this problem could be your life – the fat around your stomach could actually be risking an early death. There is some good news though – the situation is preventable, simply by removing your belly fat. With simple but effective lifestyle changes, you can achieve this and boost your health in the process.

Exercise and stress management are two of the key components of the metabolic syndrome diet. Exercising for twenty minutes around four or five times a week is the best way to reduce visceral fat, as well as slowing your anxiety and stress down to a manageable level. You should live within ten percent of your normal body weight, for which there is a simple formula. The basic rule for men is 106 pounds for the first five feet then six pounds for every additional inch. For women, the rule is 100 pounds for the first five feet and then five pounds for every additional inch. Experts also advise that you monitor your calorie intake to make sure you don’t gain too much weight.

Your diet also, naturally, plays a big part in maintaining this diet. It’s advised that you eat early to give your body chance to break the food down and to utilise it, but don’t skip breakfast – this has an adverse effect. You should also eat often – this doesn’t mean large portions all the time, but rather four or five smaller meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism going throughout the day. The more fibre you can eat, the better, as this will keep you fuller for longer to limit your snacking. You can get this from eating more fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grains. Of course, fatty foods and processed goods are off the menu – this are usually high in saturated fats, sugar, salt and unhealthy additives. Wherever possible, aim for fresh and healthy meals that are loaded with nutrients for overall wellbeing – soup is a great way of getting plenty of veggies into your diet in one simple, filling meal.

Snacking can be the biggest cause of people giving up on their diet, but if you make better choices you may still be able to sneak in a snack without ruining your whole diet plan. This means opting for nuts, seeds and fruit instead of the crisps and biscuits. Nuts are loaded with health-boosting nutrients, as well as being filling and low in fat. Natural, sugar-free yoghurt with berries will also fill you up without ruining your fat or sugar intake – it will also count towards your five a day if you include plenty of fruit. Lastly, ensure that you stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water – experts recommend around six to eight glasses each day to keep your body functioning correctly.

Categories: additional inch, diet, Fat, metabolic, Metabolic Syndrome, pounds, simple, syndrome, syndrome diet

Are You Suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Often misunderstood as something less serious, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a debilitating condition which can’t simply be cured by sleeping more. Mental and physical activities can make your symptoms worse, and when you’re intense fatigue can’t be attributed to a specific cause, your GP may classify your condition as CFS. This is a controversial condition, as the medical industry is still determining how to diagnose it. It is deemed a definitive condition though, with unknown causes that researchers are still looking into. It’s thought by experts that viruses, immune impairment, hormonal problems and hypotension could all be reasons behind people developing CFS. The virus researchers believe it could be connected to people developing this condition include Ross River virus, human herpes virus six, retroviruses, Epstein-Barr, rubella and mycoplasma – the latter is a cause of atypical pneumonia. People who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often have a weakened immune system, but researchers are still looking into whether this is enough to cause the disease. If you’re aged between 30 and 50, you’re more at risk of developing the condition – women are especially at risk. As with many other health problems, CFS is made worse by being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle.

 

The symptoms for this health complaint vary between patients, as well as varying depending on the severity of the condition. Naturally, the most common symptom is fatigue, but in order to be diagnosed with CFS you need to have been suffering with fatigue for at least six months and must find that it isn’t curable with bed rest. Other symptoms include loss of concentration, muscle pain, headaches, feeling unrefreshed after sleep, frequent sore throat, tender lymph nodes in your neck or armpit, and multi-joint pain without swelling or redness. Studies suggest that one to four million people in America have CFS, yet only 20 percent of these have been diagnosed. It’s very difficult to diagnose as you won’t look unwell or sick, and the symptoms can easily be attributed to other conditions. There are also currently no screening tests to find out if people have the condition. Usually, your GP will only diagnose you with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome if you’re suffering with at least four of the symptoms. You also need to be suffering with unexplained fatigue that isn’t cured by bed rest, as previously mentioned.

 

There is no cure for CFS, and because each patient usually has different symptoms it can be difficult to suggest treatments which will be effective. The most common treatment is to make changes to your lifestyle, such as limiting or removing caffeine from your diet so that you can sleep more soundly. You should also limit or remove nicotine and alcohol too, for the same reasons. Try to create a sleep routine, such as going to bed and waking up at the same times every day, to get your body into the habit of resting during these times. Take your time to finish activities so as not to overly exert yourself, and try to avoid emotional and physical stress. There are two types of therapy which seem to benefit CFS patients, which are psychological counselling and physical therapy. These can help to improve your mental outlook and provide an exercise routine respectively. Alternative therapies which could be useful also include yoga, massage, tai chi and acupuncture. You should speak to your GP before undertaking any new treatment or medication to ensure it’s safe, but many patients report that these alternative treatments prove to be effective in reducing or eliminating the symptoms of the condition.

Categories: bed rest, chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, condition, Fatigue, fatigue syndrome, people, people developing, sleep, Symptoms, syndrome, treatment