PastoreRoderick80

It is a subject that, unfortuitously, is very near to my heart. My grandmother, who practically raised me while my mom was out working, endured 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 talk about it. I only knew because my mother told me. After she passed on and I acquired older, I decided I had to know precisely what it absolutely 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 first thing that surprised me to find out was that Gaucher Disease is most common among folks who are either Jewish or from Eastern or Central Europe. Coming from a Jewish home, it explained a great deal to me. Yet another thing that I learned that also astonished, and in addition scared me was that Gaucher Disease is also inherited, meaning it's passed on from your parents. The probability of inheriting the condition decrease with each generation that the disease itself doesn't show up. In my own family, it is now 3 generations since, so we're probably pretty safe at this point.

So what is Gaucher Disease? Well, it's really a genetic mutation that effects organs just like the liver and spleen. The specific disease is brought on by an enzyme deficiency that in turn causes fatty substances to build up in these organs. Within 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 all of 80 pounds, looked like she had a basketball in her stomach.

You will find, 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 one has Gaucher Disease is really a simple matter. A blood test is all that is required. The enzyme deficiency will show in the liver and spleen. There are three types of Gaucher Disease, but type one is the most common and the type that my grandmother experienced.

Fortuitously, we have come a long way since the 60s, when my grandmother endured this illness until she died in 1974. Today, there are enzyme replacement therapies which are actually quite effective in treating Gaucher Disease. Also, an excellent diet, low in fats and meats, high in fruits and vegetable, will also help in battle this infection.

Those who are suffering from this disease can actually live quite a while with it. My grandmother developed this illness very young in life and still lived to be 66 years of age.

In the event that you or a loved one is struggling with Gaucher Disease, there is hope. Please visit your medical professional and ask him what treatments can be purchased in your neighborhood.