Efficient Diet Meal Plans to Lose Weight

There are certain rules that must be followed if you really want to lose weight and it is in your hands if you want to pursue it or have your own strategy. Actually when trying to reduce weight, it doesn’t really matter what methods you should follow.

The crucial thing is that you are doing it right for it to be efficient. Diet meal plans to lose weight is just 1 of the offered methods that it is possible to follow in case you wish to decrease weight.

There are available list that you can find online wherein some of it includes recipes that are very easy to do. However, in case you want to have your own meal plan, you can also do it but it must contain foods that are not high in calories or fats.

Meal plans refer to the list of foods that you must intake within a day. Some are creating their own list for the whole month although there are those who only have several lists on their menu.

Having a meal plan for one whole month is a lot recommended due to the fact by means of this way you’ll have the ability to plan the food that you will intake accordingly.

This is crucial since even though you’re on a diet, your body still needs the nutrients that it must acquire every day specially you if are involve with different tasks.

Without the right amount of nutrients that your body needs, you will become weaker that will result for you not to perform your task efficiently. Having a diet meal plans to lose weight is a great way to start removing that excess fats away.

In some instances, diet meal plans to lose weight contains three varieties of meals a day whilst you will find others that have four. It doesn’t really matter how several times you eat.

Just make sure that the amount of food that you intake is just a small amount from what you are used to. You can follow the list that you can find online or have your own.

Learn more about Weight Loss Diet. Stop by the site where you can find out all about Fast Weight Loss and what it can do for you

Understanding the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Understanding post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is important because it affects many more people then one may ever imagine. Most people tend to think of men and women who have served in the armed forces when they think of this condition. The thing is though any one can end up with this disorder as all it takes is being a part of or witnesses a traumatic experience. Of course anyone who goes through or sees something extremely terrible happens are going to have a moment in time where they are tying to get past what they experienced. The majority of people are able to deal with their thoughts and feelings and move past it.

There are people though that ends up with a much harder time in coping with what they saw or dealt with. Over time the stress of the tragic event will gradually make things in their personal life worse. The problems that come with post traumatic stress disorder can stay hidden for a while but can and will pop up at some of the most inconvenient moments. These issues can be complete and utter problem in trying to live a healthy and normal life. When the issues creep up and become something that rips apart a life, they are issues that can no longer be ignored.

While it is basically impossible to prevent post traumatic stress disorder from happening it can be controlled with proper treatment. It is when the disorder is left to grow and get out of hand that the situation becomes unbearable. If you or someone you know is a victim of a hate crime, physical or sexual assault, natural disaster, war, or major automobile or plane crash then help should be sought out. It is much better to be proactive with these situations then allowing them to get out of hand.

Noticing the Symptoms

If you are wondering whether or not what you are going through is post traumatic stress disorder then you will want to consider the following risk factors to see how many you can relate to your own life. Many people who suffer from this disorder end up with feelings of hopelessness about the future. They often times end up with relationship problems no matter how hard they try, trouble sleeping, memory problems, trouble concentrating, and end up dealing with self destructive behavior such as drinking too much, taking drugs, or being sexually overactive.

And these are just a few of the symptoms that often appear in those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Some people also end up dealing with flashbacks, shame, visions of things that are not really there or hearing sounds that are actually just in the person’s mind. While not every symptom will be experienced by someone dealing with this disorder, it is important to know that if you are experiencing several of these symptoms that you may very well be suffering from this stress related disorder.

Treatment

If you feel that you are in fact suffering from this disorder it is time to seek professional help. You would never want to let it go untreated because over time your symptoms could get worse. Talk with your doctor as they can usually prescribe you antidepressants which can help with everything you are experiencing. In some cases the route of medication is all that is needed. In other cases there needs to be a little something more.

Along with antidepressants many people find it helpful to have someone to talk to. Getting to a counselor who you can talk with about your stressful and tragic past may in fact help you overcome the problems you are dealing with. In time and with proper treatment you should be able to lead a normal and healthy life with no outward indication that you suffered anything traumatic in your past.

PTSDS is a Gateway to posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms Information.Get research based information on News for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)with just one click.

Naturally Treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is very real for some people, those who have experienced traumatic events in their life or very susceptible to getting PTSD. PTSD can happen if one has been involved in an accident – car, plane, etc., being a victim of a crime or abuse, or witnessing a shocking event can all lead to someone developing PTSD. Some of the symptoms of PTSD include being extremely hypersensitive to your environment; any incident or event can trigger a state of anxiety and produce an anxiety attack. Depression is common in those who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the feeling that life is unimportant or their future is hopeless. Flashbacks often occur that are accompanied with frequent thoughts, feelings of the traumatic event. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder not only affects ones’ mental and emotional state but also their physical state. The stomach, heart, and even the brain can be affected by PTSD, which can lead to digestive problems, hypertension or raised blood pressure, and migraine headaches.

All of these symptoms interfere with living a normal everyday life and preventing a person from engaging in normal activities or relationships. Suffering from a traumatic experience can lead to uncontrollable feelings and emotions preventing one from living a normal life. Someone who is suffering from PTSD needs to seek professional treatment to help them overcome this condition. However, there are some natural home treatments that a person can also do to help treat PTSD. There are a number of herbs to effectively treat post traumatic stress disorder and calm the nerves.

They include: Kava kava – Take 500 mg in capsule form of the extract three times day.

The Lotus Embryo – A Chinese herbal extract you can find in Chinese areas of your city. Known as Lian Zi Xin and comes in a powdered form. Take the recommended dosage. Chamomile – Take two 350 mg capsules of the powdered extract three times a day or mix a tablespoon of the chamomile flowers into a cup of tea and drink three times a day. Valerian – You can take 150 mg capsule once or twice a day or split the dosage taking a 400 mg capsule at bedtime.

Another natural treatment for PTSD is to use some flower essences. Flower essences uplift the individual by increasing their energy and enlightening their mood. Similar to the relaxing and elevating way listening to certain types of music has an effect on a person, flower essences do the same thing. You can buy bottles of the flower essences and take two drops of each essence four times a day. The different types of flower essences that can help treat PTSD are: the Star of Bethlehem, which helps reduce the memory of the traumatic event and soothes your emotions. Honeysuckle, which helps you effectively treat the condition by putting you in control of your emotions and understanding the event and what you need to do to move on. The next two, clematis and white chestnut can help treat and reduce the incidence of flashbacks. Agrimony can help you open up and discuss your emotions instead of keeping it all inside. The last flower essence to use to help naturally treat PTSD is cherry plum. Sometimes PTSD can result in a person losing control mentally, cherry plum is great for reducing these feelings.

Along with seeking treatment with a professional, these natural herbs can definitely help to treat and relieve symptoms of PTSD.

PTSDS is a Gateway to posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms Information.Get research based information on What are the symptoms of PTSD?with just one click.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy deals with the healing power of nature. It is also believed that all these healing powers are said to be within your body. Naturopathy means a treatment that focuses on natural remedies. The term is derived from Greek and Latin. Naturopathic medicine involves minimal use of surgery and drugs.

The treatments used in naturopathy vary in degree of acceptance that they receive from the medical community. The treatments popularly used include nutritional hydrotherapy, quackery, lifestyle changes, counseling and homeopathy. A lot of times your health degrades because of the environmental pollution around you and your dietary habits. Natural therapies will make sure that you are free from ailments that are chronic as well as acute. You may come across two kinds of naturopathic doctors – traditional naturopaths and naturopathic physicians.

A naturopathic doctor is of two kinds – traditional naturopaths and naturopathic physicians. These naturopathic physicians combine the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science. It is their duty to maintain good health of the patient by creating a healing internal and external environment. You tend to fall ill if you go against the nature. Fasting is the best way to recover and also complete rest taken by the body along with fasting helps the body to recover fast and recoup itself.

The safe healing procedures of naturopathy make it highly popular. Before going to the doctor for fever and other minor ailments, you may try natural home remedies. A major portion of the health problems that you suffer from are because of poor eating habits and thus, it is important that you change your food habits. A patient undergoing naturopathic treatment will not only be cured of the disease but will also be able to have a good health forever.

They make it a point to evaluate the root cause of the problem and then find a cure for it. They only make use of natural methods for the treatment. They do not allow the symptoms to restrain and cure them completely. Naturopathic physicians make it a point to educate you about the ailment and at the same time provide you with guidance. You may have heard of the saying ‘Prevention is better than cure’ and this is true in naturopathy. Naturopathic doctors focus on keeping your body healthy and maintaining a good physical and mental condition.

At Evergreen Natural Health Center our objective is to give the uppermost quality naturopathic and Chinese medical care available. We take the time to develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient. Come learn more at our Portland Naturopathic and Acupuncture Clinic and also see this Portland Naturopathic and Acupuncture Clinic resource.

Prostatitis Symptoms – An Overview of Bacterial Prostatitis

Older men often suffer from irritation and swelling of the prostate gland; this condition is known as prostatitis. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection; the bacteria enter the prostate through the urethra via the backward flow of infected urine into the prostate ducts. The prostate gland can become infected by any type of bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections (UTI).

Bacterial P accounts for up to 10 percent of all cases. This form is more clearly understood than the other forms. Other forms can be caused by neuromuscular problems in the area of the prostate and from an autoimmune disorder of the prostate. Other causes could be from traumatic injury, pressure exerted on the prostate due to obesity and from diseased tissue, and psychological stress. These forms are not as clearly understood as the bacterial form.

Causes of bacterial prostatitis

It can also be caused by the coliform bacteria that travel from the intestinal tract. A male can be at risk for bacterial P if he engages in rectal intercourse has had a urinary catheter or other medical device inserted into the urethra and bladder. He may also be at risk if his urinary tract has a structural abnormality, or has had a urinary tract infection recently. Any man with an enlarged prostate may be at risk.

There are several possible causes. The organisms that may cause bacterial P are Escherichia coli, Enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus.

It can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomonas, Syphilis and other STDs.

Symptoms:

It can occur with an infection in and around the testicles, especially if the infection originated from an STD. Symptoms may include:

Abdominal pain

Low back pain

Pain during urination

Burning during urination

Pain while have a bowel movement

Fever

Chills

Urinary retention (can’t completely empty the bladder)

Pain with ejaculation

Pain in the area of the anus and the genitals

Blood in the semen

Foul odor to the urine

Blood in the urine

Frequency or urgent need to urinate

Diagnostic evaluations

Your doctor will do a physical examination; he/she will look for signs of prostatitis. The signs that you might have are:

You may have a discharge from your urethra

You may have enlarged lymph nodes in your groin

You may be tender in the area of your scrotum

You may be tender in the area of your rectum

You may have tenderness in the area of your prostate

Your doctor will ask you to give a urine sample for a culture and sensitivity. Your doctor will also order a routine urinalysis. If there is a discharge coming from the prostate, the doctor may choose to do a culture and sensitivity test on it to look for increased bacteria and white blood cells.

Your doctor will send you to the lab or a nurse can take a blood sample from you in the office for a complete blood count (CBC) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

Treatment :

Most cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics, and lifestyle changes. The lifestyle changes would include making changes in your diet and activity. Antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole and others may be prescribed to treat bacterial P. If prostatitis is caused by an STD an antibiotic such as ceftriaxone and doxycycline may be given. In severe cases caused by an STD infection, then you may need to be hospitalized for medications to be given piggy back with IV fluids.

Conclusion

Sometimes, men with prostatitis may have difficulty emptying the bladder. If you have urgency and cannot void, your doctor may suggest that you have a suprapubic (inserted in the bladder through the pubic region and not the penis) catheter until your infection is under control. If you have pain , you may find relief by sitting in a warm bath or sitz bath. Sitting in a warm bathtub will help relieve the backache associated with prostate pain.

Look at Prostatitis Symptoms letting in 34 medical signs and symptoms of Prostatitis. prostatitis treatment symptoms website gives you collection of useful articles & updated news.

What Is An EMG Test?

An EMG test will determine if you have a deadly neurological disease, as well as many benign conditions. But exactly is involved during an EMG test? (Does it hurt?) I sat in on an EMG test that was recently done on my mother, and it’s actually a very fascinating invention of medical technology.

The EMG test on my mother took about an hour, maybe a tiny bit longer, but some of that time was spent by the doctor pausing to explain things related to her suspected condition (pronator syndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome). The doctor will place very small sticker-like patches on the patient’s body, at the location of the symptoms. He’ll then attach recording electrodes nearby these stickers. The electrodes are attached to a computer that’s a little bulkier than a laptop.

Preceding the actual testing, the doctor will type a lot of things into the computer. To measure nerve conductivity, the doctor must provide an electric shock to the patient with a two-pronged device about the size of a cell phone. When he delivers the shock, the result appears on the computer screen as a jagged horizontal line with a plus sign. Moments later two more images (jagged horizontal lines or sine waves) will appear, one reflecting the muscle activity, and one reflecting nerve activity.

The computer also shows the number of milliseconds it took for the nerve impulse to be conducted. The doctor at one point said that 4 milliseconds was normal, and 10 milliseconds was abnormal; that 50 meters per second was normal, and 42 meters per second was slow.

The patient may not be able to see the computer when all this is happening; my mother was lying on her back while the doctor conducted the EMG test on her right arm first. He suspected pronator teres syndrome, but he also suspected carpal tunnel syndrome.

He was heavily favoring pronator teres syndrome, though he concentrated the initial testing at the wrist and fingers. He very soon announced that she had carpal tunnel syndrome. At this point it was not speculation; it was a 100 percent positive diagnosis, because the EMG test can determine 1) if nerves are firing normally, and 2) if numbness, tingling and strength loss are caused by a healthy nerve signal merely being blocked from arriving at its destination, as in my mother’s case of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The EMG test involves the doctor moving around the various stickers and recording electrodes, then administering a shock at various points higher up from where the recording devices are; in my mother’s case, many of the shocks were delivered to her forearm.

In between the adjustments with the stickers and electrodes, he placed a tape measure to her skin to measure the length of the nerves. The patient, if lying down and unable to see what the doctor is doing, will feel the doctor moving around the stickers and attaching the recording electrodes, then running a tape measure along the skin, and then the electric shock.

The voltage of the shock can be adjusted, and it can be very unpleasant, though it lasts a second. The other thing that the patient will feel is pin pricks. The needle is a little thicker than an acupuncture needle, and the doctor will place a needle at varying locations as part of the EMG test. In the case of my mother, it appeared at one point that he embedded the needle a quarter of an inch into her palm. The “poke” he did there hurt to high heaven based on my mother’s reaction, but again, it was only for a fraction of a second.

The doctor also had her press her arm against resistance a few times. Since all he needed was her arms, she was able to maintain any leg position she was comfortable with. An EMG test does not require the patient to be sedated.

So now you know what’s involved in an EMG test. If you are scheduled for an EMG test, there is nothing to be afraid of, as far as how the procedure feels on your body. If the idea of electric shocks and pin pricks has you unnerved (no pun intended), remember, this test is a godsend for doctors, and it has to be done to provide a diagnosis for your condition (or to rule out an imagined condition).

Do You Know What EMG Test Is? Have a look on EMG Test Instructions.

The Most Beneficial Supplements You Absolutely Need for Better Brain Health

Who doesn’t want better brain health? After all, although all your organs are critical to your body’s functioning, you brain actually is the center of your body. It controls absolutely everything! Also, there has been a lot of emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease lately. So, brain health is certainly on the minds of everyone!

Fortunately for us, scientists have made a lot of great strides on the subject of brain health. Also, doctors and scientists understand which supplements it is best to take, and what these supplements might do for you. Listed here, we’ll end up listing the possible supplements you should take. Before we do, however, let’s talk a little bit about what scientists think is the big picture in regards to brain health. Recently, researchers have shown that inflammation is probably the key, underlying causes of many diseases and disorders in our bodies. Inflammation is actually seen as a root cause of cancer, arthritis, coronary disease and stroke, and also of diseases like Alzheimer’s. I’m sure you’ve heard of anti-oxidants, too! Works out inflammation and anti-oxidation go hand in hand. One causes the other. Most of the supplements you might consider taking actually address this inherent problem we have with inflammation.

So, which are the main brain supplements you ought to take? Well here are a few of the biggest.

If you’re not currently taking any supplements or vitamins at all, you need to start at least with a multi-vitamin. If you don’t know which you ought to take, speak to your doctor. Multi-vitamins are generally formulated differently for men, women, and for seniors. So, make sure you purchase the right vitamin for you including your needs.

DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is one of the omega-3 efas. DHA is thought to play a large roll in brain health. This is because DHA is the essential fatty acid most prevalent in the human brain. CoEnzyme Q10, or CoQ10 for short, is another supplement you need to probably consider taking. There’s been a lot of research that supports an association between CoQ10 and brain health.

Certainly there are other brain supplements you should have to learn about. This is an emerging field of study for both doctors and scientists.

Lee Cole is a avid health and exercise enthusiast. Read this article to learn more about dha supplements. Also, talk a look at this post to learn more about dha supplements.

Herpes Symptoms And Treatment

Herpes affects 1 in five people in American. Approximately 80,000 people are thought to have active cases and 50 to 80 percent of all adults have had oral herpes at some time in their life. Herpes is causes by a virus. Herpes simples one causes oral herpes and genital herpes is generally caused by herpes simplex two.

Herpes is transmitted by skin contact. Contact such as kissing and sexual intercourse can spread the disease. Herpes simplex one which causes oral herpes, more commonly known as a cold sore, can also be passed by oral sexual contact when an active lesion is present on the mouth.

The initial herpes infection develops two to twenty days after exposure. It may be so mild as to go unnoticed especially in people who have some immunity due to previous facial herpes or cold sores. In some suffers the initial outbreak causes fever, chills, malaise, swollen glands and headaches. It may present as an almost flu like illness but the sufferer will also have painful genital lesions. Generally subsequent outbreaks are not as debilitating though the genital lesions can be very painful. People with mild herpes outbreaks may mistake herpes for urinary tract infections, jock itch, insect bites or some other mild condition.

Diagnosis is made by visual inspection by your doctor and a culture of an open lesion. Symptoms of herpes can occur randomly with no particular pattern. Stress, poor diet, illness, steroid usage and surgical procedure can increase risk of outbreaks. Exposure to excessive ultraviolet light increases out breaks of oral herpes lesions. Warning symptoms which indicate the virus is becoming active include itching, tingling numbness, burning general fatigue, flu-like symptoms, fever, and swelling of the lymph nodes in the area of outbreak. Painful urination may also occur.

Herpes can be transmitted by infected persons even when they are showing no obvious symptoms of an outbreak. The HSV 1 and HSV 2 have been found to be released from skin that has no obvious open lesions or sores. Such asymptomatic viral shedding makes risk of spreading the herpes infection possible at any time. It’s possible for a person to even be unaware they have the disease in cases with mild or absent symptoms. Herpes can also be spread from mother to infant during vaginal delivery or in cases of early amniotic fluid rupture. If a mother to be is aware she has herpes she should relay that information to her doctor so appropriate precautions can be taken to protect her baby. The use of condoms decreases the possibility of transmission but doesn’t totally eradicate it. The only sure way to prevent transmission is to be in a monogamous relationship with a partner that has been tested and is free f the disease. There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks.

Treatment regimens include episodic therapy and suppressive therapy. Acyclovir ointment (brand name Zovirax) and Penciclovir cream (brand name Denavir) are often prescribed. Oral acyclovir is used daily as a suppressive therapy. Improving overall health through good diet, rest and exercise can decrease episodes. Some studies have found increasing lysine and zinc in the diet may decrease outbreaks. Propolis a waxy substance honeybees make, lemon balm, tea tree oil and the herb prunella vulgaris are alternative medicine treatments that have shown some effectiveness in decreasing outbreaks.

Herpes is an emotionally trying disorder for which there is no known cure. Treatment is aimed at decreasing outbreaks and discomfort. If you think you have herpes you should abstain from sexual contact and see your doctor.

Recognize the Herpes Symptoms In Men.Discover the facts about Herpes Symptoms in Men- What You Need To Know?.

Common Misdiagnoses Due to Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Recently, I sent a couple of my family members to get tested for a gene called Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor. Reason being is the fact I was diagnosed with it myself and learned that it also may be genetic. My doctor wasn’t able to tell me that much about this gene due to the fact that it is pretty new to American Doctors. So I had to do most of the research myself to get any straight answers about this Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene. I did find that this gene has been associated with a wide variety of diseases and disorders. The majority of the problems that derive from this particular gene are also a lot of the common complaints that my family members have.

Luckily the family members that did get tested did not come back positive for Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene. Instead they came back with test results that revealed Deficiency. This would have been easily overlooked if it wasn’t for the fact that my family members had asked for extensive blood work to be done. Actually Vitamin Deficiency is one of the most common disorders that are overlooked by Physicians. It’s not that your Physician lacks common sense; it’s just that they have been conditioned to look for other ailments. The Prescription Drug Manufacturers target Doctors more then they target us. In fact I read a story written by a man who left medical school in the United States. His reasons had more to do with his morals then anything. In his story he explained that the majority of his classes and seminars focused on prescribing medication rather then preventive healthcare. He ended up moving over seas to do just that, focus on preventative healthcare, not writing out scripts all day.

So you may be wondering what conditions are linked with B12 Deficiency?

Here are the conditions that I was able to find, there may be more.

Pernicious Anemia

Atherosclerosis

The Early onset of Alzheimer’s disease

Muscle Tremors

Depression

Osteoporosis

Cataracts

Strokes at an early age

Infertility

Metabolic Syndrome

And, Dementia

Like I said before you would have to consult with your Physician to be sure if this is your problem. Especially if you have any of the conditions or symptoms associated with B12 deficiency. The Prescription Drug manufactures are actually counting on the fact that you will be misdiagnosed with the conditions Deficiency mocks. Having the correct diagnosis of B12 Deficiency can save you thousands of dollars in prescription costs. There’s a reason that the Drug Manufacturing Industry is a 275 Billion Dollar a year Corporation. It’s also the reason that Prescription Drug advertising is banned in every country except here in the United States. These countries are tired of people believing that they have all these complex issues that can be corrected by a healthy lifestyle.

Oh, I can’t believe I almost forget to mention this. In the beginning I mentioned that I had been diagnosed with Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Gene, which causes blood clotting. After looking into Vitamin, I learned that the deficiency is what led to the formation of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor. It can also be linked with many other blood clotting disorders as well.

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin which means your body will flush out what it doesn’t need. So increasing your daily dose is safe as long as it is not in a form of a multi-vitamin that contains fat soluble vitamins.

Learn to recognize peculiar b12 Deficiency symptoms that are possibly indicative of even borderline B12 deficiency.Learn what to do about Vitamin B12 Deficiency And Its Treatment.

EMG Test Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Definition, Cause and Prognosis

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disease that affects the neurons in your spinal cord. Over time the disease can interfere with muscle control in any part of the body including those connected with breathing and swallowing. There are several types of SMA. The severity and progression of the disease depends on the type and how early symptoms first develop.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disease that runs in families. Often parents are carriers of the disease but show no symptoms. Genetic counseling can identify this disease in adult carriers and counseling can help you understand the risks of passing this disease to your children. Unfortunately, the first time this disease is discovered in a family is only after a child is diagnosed with the disease.

What Causes SMA?

Spinal muscular atrophy is one of several autosomal recessive genetic diseases. It is passed along to a child when both parents are carriers of a missing or mutated gene that affects the motor neurons in the spine. The mutated or missing gene is responsible for producing a protein responsible for the health production and function of the nerve fibers that begin in the spinal cord and branch out to all the muscles in the body.

With the gene mutation associated with SMA the lack of this protein results in nerve cells weakening and atrophying. This results in muscle weakness that generally progresses over time.

Autosomal recessive disorders are only passed along to children if both parents have the genetic defect. When both parents are carriers of the disease, a child has a one in four chance of inheriting the disease and showing some degree of symptoms.

Because genes come in pairs, an individual can have one set of healthy genes and one set of mutated genes without showing symptoms. An individual with one set of defective genes is known as a carrier. This means even though they show no signs of the disease, if they have children with another carrier, they can then pass the disease along to their children.

Testing for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Diagnosing SMA is usually not done until symptoms are present and other conditions are ruled out. Because SMA is a genetic, a blood test is done that examines the SMN1 and SMN2 genes. Most individuals with spinal muscular atrophy are lacking the SMN1 gene or have a mutated SMN1 sequence.

An EMG test which measures the electrical activity in a muscle may be used to rule out other conditions that mimic SMA.

Prognosis for Individuals with SMA

Researchers have found that even though the SMN1 gene is the gene primarily responsible for producing the SMN protein for healthy muscle growth and development. There is also a smaller level of the SMN protein produced by the SMN2 genes.

Everyone has a certain number of SMN2 genes that continue to produce some protein. The number of SMN2 copies an individual has as well as the type of spinal muscular atrophy an individual is diagnosed with will determine their overall prognosis.

The key to maintaining as much muscular strength as possible is early diagnosis. Ongoing medical monitoring can go a long way in lessening the risk of life-threatening complications. A multi-directional team approach can help support parents in caring for their children and providing a quality of life that takes into consideration their individual challenges.

There is no cure for SMA or vaccine that can be given to prevent the disease.

For families already known to be carriers of SMA, genetic counseling can give a realistic idea of the chances for passing along the disease and help in determining the choices to be made.

Daniel Silvera is a young man who understands firsthand the challenges presented by this disease. Born with SMA and a quadriplegic for most of his 33 years of life, he has a unique perspective on the quality of life. His story challenges all of us to stop and re-examine the true meaning of life. You can read his story here.

Do You Know What EMG Test Is? Have a look on EMG (electromyogram) Test Instructions.

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