Chronic Health ConditionsReoccurring/persistent health conditions

Great suffering and/or deathChanges in health status over long periods of time

Often must work through feelings of anxiety, fear, and isolation

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A condition in which recurring tiredness makes it difficult to function in “normal” ways

Usually occurs after times of high stress, and mono in teens No cure

Symptoms include: HeadacheFatigueSore ThroatWeaknessTender lymph glands Inability to concentrateMuscle and joint achesLow grade fever

Sickle Cell Anemia Incurable condition in which red blood cells are “sickle-shaped”

and fragile/easily destroyed Sickle-shaped cells don’t pass through blood vessels easily Symptoms: Chronic anemia Jaundice Delayed growth Headaches Retinal damage Shortness of breath, paleness, fatigue Periodic and often intense pain Hand/Foot syndrome

Kids with SCA are at risk for pneumonia and other illnesses Disproportionately affects African-Americans

Cystic FibrosisA condition caused by an abnormal gene in which

large amounts of abnormally thick mucus are produced (especially in the pancreas and lungs); causes damage to bodily organs.

Symptoms include:CoughingVomitingConstipationWheezingDifficulty BreathingExcessive salt in sweat (“Sweat Test” used to

diagnose C.F.)

ArthritisPainful inflammation of

joints; affects muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding joints

Main types:Osteoarthritis:

wearing down of moving parts of joints

Rheumatoid: joints become deformed or may lose function

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Autoimmune disease in which the tissues in the body become

inflamed; affects skin, kidneys, joints, muscles and CNS

Complications include:• Kidney failure; heart failure; bleeding in the CNS

Symptoms:• Red, blotchy skin rash on cheeks• Fever• Fatigue• Joint/muscle pain• Weight loss• Loss of appetite

Most often appears in teen years, and in females

Cerebral Palsy

A nervous system disorder that interferes with muscle coordination.

Possible causes: Head injury during birth or an accidental head injury; certain illnesses

Symptoms may include: Standing or walking with

“awkward” mannerismsProblems speaking, hearing

and/or seeingMental retardation

(possibly with normal to high intelligence)

Peptic Ulcer An open sore in the lining

of the stomach, esophagus, or first part of small intestine

 Symptoms:Burning in abdomen,Upset stomach Intestinal bleedingBack pain  May be fatal if not treated  Caused by a bacterial

infection; treated with antibiotics

Multiple Sclerosis Disease in which the protective covering of myelin on nerve fibers

in the brain and spinal cord is destroyed.

Its believed that the immune system attacks the myelin, resulting in scarring of nerve fibers.

Symptoms:• Tingling and numbness in body • Tired/dizzy

No cure; treatments attempt to return function after an attack, prevent new attacks, and prevent disability Most common in young adults Relapses follow times of stress May not be able to walk or care for oneself

MigrainesSevere head pain

caused by dilation of blood vessels in the brain

Symptoms:Severe throbbingBlurred visionNausea/vomiting

May cause sufferers to miss school/work.

Down Syndrome A genetic disorder that causes lifelong mental retardation, developmental delays

and other problems; varies in severity; developmental problems range from moderate to serious.

The most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children (1:700-1:800)

Trisomy 21: More than 90 percent of cases of Down syndrome are caused by trisomy 21. A child with trisomy 21 has three copies of chromosome 21 — instead of the usual two copies — in all of his or her cells. This form of Down syndrome is caused by abnormal cell division during the development of the sperm cell or the egg cell.

Tests: Amniocentesis; CVS; Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS).

Common symptoms: Flattened facial features Protruding tongue Small head Upward slanting eyes, unusual for the child's ethnic group Unusually shaped ears

Muscular Dystrophy A rare, incurable genetic

disorder in which the muscles progressively deteriorate.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common and severe type. It affects 1 in 3000 males and is caused by an X linked recessive gene carried by females and inherited almost exclusively by males

Entertainer Jerry Lewis has an annual telethon to benefit MD.

Epilepsy A common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures

Types of seizures:Petit mal: brief loss of consciousnessGrand mal: loss of consciousness (tonic stage) and violent muscle contractions (clonic stage)

No cure; can be treated with medications and surgery (for severe cases) More likely to occur in young children, or individuals 65 years or older

What to do if you suspect someone is having a seizure: Call for medical help. Gently roll the person onto one side and put something soft under his or her head. Loosen tight neckwear. Don't put anything in the mouth — the tongue can't be swallowed but objects placed in the

mouth can be bitten or inhaled. Don't try to restrain the person.

Parkinson’s Disease A degenerative disorder of the CNS that often impairs the

sufferer's motor skills, speech, and other functions.

Symptoms:• Rigid posture• Slow movement• Fixed facial expressions• Shuffling walk

Symptoms may worsen when individual is tired or emotionally distressed

No specific cause; however, individuals with Parkinson’s often report more frequent incidences of head trauma than those without the disease

Intellect is not affected until late in the disease (as speech slows) Usually affects those 50 years or older

Hemophilia A disorder of the body’s blood-clotting system. Clotting is the

process by which your blood changes from a liquid to a solid state in order to stop bleeding. All types can cause prolonged bleeding.

Hemophilia is a lifelong disease. But with proper treatment and self-care, most people with hemophilia can maintain an active, productive life.

Symptoms: Many large or deep bruises Joint pain and swelling caused by internal bleeding Unexplained bleeding or bruising Blood in your urine or stool Prolonged bleeding from cuts or injuries, or after surgery or tooth

extraction Nosebleeds with no obvious cause Tightness in your joints

Narcolepsy Chronic sleep disorder in

which people are excessively sleepy during the day, despite adequate night sleep.

Become drowsy or fall asleep without warning at inappropriate times

No known cause

No cure; treatment is available

Interrupts daily lives (school/work)

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