Booyah
...ditary disease carried by a dominant gene. It is estimated that TS occurs as a spontaneous mutation in 80% of cases. In this situation neither parent has TS. Where one parent with TS is at a 50% chance that each child will also have the disease. Chapter 3 Skin Skin is the biggest organ and is one of the biggest signs of TS, it is also very important and useful because it helps us to understand more about TS. In 100% of patient’s there skin is affected. Some abnormalities of the skin from TS are the following, hypomelanotic macules (87-100% patient’s), facial angiofibromas(47-90%), shagreen patches (20-80%), fibrous facial plaques and, ungual fibromas(17-87%). Among the skin lesions, the facial angiofibromas causes the most disfigurement. None of the skin lesion results in serious medical problems. Some doctors make wrong diagnosis of single facial facial angiofibroma like acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, or multiple trichoepithelioma. These can be mistaken for angiofibromas but these can be easily distinguished among them. Chapter 4 Pain Pain syndromes are not uncommon in TS. In one study, 55% of the people studied had what is called “clinically significant pain” at some time during the course of a lifetime with MS. Almost half (48%) were troubled by chronic pain. This study suggested that factors such as age at onset, length of time with TS, or degree of disability played no part in distinguishing the people with pain from the people who were pain free. The study did indicate that twice as many women as Men had pain as part of their TS. Acute Pain Trigeminal neuralgia is a stabbing pain in the face that can occur as an initial symptom of MS. While it can be confused with dental pain, this pain is neurologic in origin. It can usually be treated successfully with medications in severe cases that do not respond to medication, a surgical procedure called rhizotomy can be performed. This procedure severs the nerve roots that carry sensation. Lhermitte’s sign is a stabbing, electric-shock-like sensation running from the back of the head down the spine, brought on by flexing the neck. Medication is of little use because this pain comes so quickly. A soft collar to limit neck flexion maybe prescribed. Burning, Aching, or Girdling around the Body is all neurologic in origin. The technical name for them is dysesthesias. These pains are sometimes treated with antidepressants such as amitriptyline because such agents modify how the central nervous system reacts to pain. Other treatments include wearing a pressure stocking or glove, which can convert the sensation of pain to one of pressure; warm compresses to the skin, which may convert the sensation of pain to one of warmth; and over-the-counter acetaminophen which may be taken daily, under a physician’s supervision. Burning, Aching, Prickling, or “Pin and Needles” may be chronic rather than acute. The treatments are the same as for the acute dysesthesias described above. Pain of Spasticity has its own subcategories. Muscle Spasms or Cramps, called flexor spasms, may occur. You can take medication or other Treatment that includes regular stretching exercises and balancing. Tightness and Aching in Joints is another manifestation of spasticity. Back and Other Musculoskeletal Pain in MS can have many causes, including spasticity. Pressure on the body caused by immobility, or incorrect use of mobility aids, or the struggle to compensate for gait and balance problems may all contribute. An evaluation to pinpoint the source of the pain is essential. Treatments may include heat, massage, ultrasound, physical therapy, and treatment for spasticity. Most pain in TS can be treated. But not all pain a person with TS has is due to TS. Whatever the source, pain is a complex problem that should not be ignored. Many factors may contribute, including fear and worry. A multidisciplinary pain clinic may be indicated for chronic disabling pain, where medication in combination with alternative therapies, such as biofeedback, hypnosis, yoga, meditation, or acupuncture may be used. Self-help may play an important role in pain control, for people who stay active and maintain positive attitudes are often able to reduce the impact of pain on their quality of life. Chapter 5 Behavioral and Psychiatric Problems A child with TS can have many behavioral problems. This just not with a child, but with adults too. When a child has TS it is just not hard on the child, but also on the parents and other family. Some behavioral problems of a child are, aggression, sudden rage, hyperactivity, attention deficit, acting out, obsessive-compulsive behavior, repetitive behavior, staying in their “own world”, being nonverbal even at age when most children can talk, and other autistic behaviors have all occurred in children with TS. Some children with TS have also been diagnosed with autism. There seems to be a connection between TS and autism, but it yet has not been understood. Some times individuals are diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disease (manic depression), depression, or other psychiatric disorders. Chapter 6 The Mental disabilities A person with TS can become mentally disabled. One–...