We have asked our Medical Advisory team this question over and over again, and none of them have the answer. We will continue to search for the answer of this one! Back to top.

The catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is a very rare complication encountered in a subset of patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. This rare syndrome is characterized by the development of multiple blood clots that block small blood vessels in several organs in the body. The organs most commonly affected by these small blood clots include the heart, lungs, nervous system, and kidneys.

Women are more likely than men to be affected by Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. Some estimates say that 75% to 90% of those affected are women. For example, it has been estimated by some doctors that one third of all of young strokes (defined as under the age of 50) are due to Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. In obstetrics it is estimated by some doctors that up to 25% of all women with 2 or more spontaneous miscarriages have Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.

There are two forms of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. There is Primary Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome meaning it is a stand alone disease. There is also Secondary Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. Many of those patients also have Lupus. Back to top.

Antiphospholipid antibodies may be detected in individuals who are completely asymptomatic, but, in some patients, these antibodies may be associated with a rapidly progressive disorder that can be fatal. In addition, the blood clots that can be seen with these antibodies can be fatal, depending on how large they are or which blood vessels are affected. Back to top.

APS is not hereditary in the sense in which we usually use that word--that is, the sense that we learned about in biology classes, where the precise "odds" of a trait being passed along to children can be calculated. Diseases or conditions with that sort of direct heredity are typically tied to one or more identified genes. No cause for APS has yet been singled out.

For asymptomatic individuals who have antiphospholipid antibodies, some doctors recommend aspirin therapy, but, generally, no major lifestyle changes are necessary. For patients who have the antiphospholipid syndrome and have had a blood clot, treatment consists of anticoagulant therapy ("blood thinners"). Anticoagulant therapy with warfarin (most commonly, Coumadin? ) does require attention to one's diet (for a stable intake of vitamin K) and regular blood checks to monitor the medicine.

In theory, diagnosis is easy. The doctor simply needs to think of the possibility of Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome. However, the features can seem so unconnected (e.g.memory loss, previous DVT, headaches, previous miscarriage and 'multiple sclerosis') that the diagnosis may not come to mind. Back to top.

By definition, all patients with antiphospholipid syndrome have some type of blood clot, affecting either the arteries or the veins, or recurrent miscarriages or certain other complications during pregnancy. Other problems that may be seen in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome may include a particular type of rash (livido reticularis), low platelet counts ('thrombocytopenia'), heart valve problems, certain fingernail changes, or other signs or symptoms.

The digestion and propulsion of nutrients and fluids through the gastrointestinal system (GI) is a very complicated and very well organized process. The GI tract has its own intrinsic muscles and nerves that connect, like an electrical circuit, to the spinal cord and brain. Neuromuscular events occurring in the GI tract is relayed to the brain through neural connections, and the response of the brain is also relayed back to the gastrointestinal tract.

Occupational pathogenesis seems to be the most frequent cause for development of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. There seems to be an association between repetitive work activities, both in the presence (greater risk) or absence of great force.

The cause of restless legs syndrome is unknown. It may be genetic because it runs in families. Conditions such as iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia, kidney failure, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease may be associated with it. However, most people who seek treatment do not have one of these other conditions. Restless legs syndrome may result from abnormal balances of iron in your blood and of the brain chemical dopamine.

Remember, all eight glyconutrients (super sugars) found exclusively in Revivol™ make-up your body's glycoprotein's. Patients with CFS have reduced production of cell membrane glycoprotein activities, compared to non-CFS patients. Also, studies show, natural killer (NK) cell function (also dependent on normal cell surface glycoprotein's) was much lower in CFS patients, than patients without CFS. Revivol™ can significantly improve NK cell activity.

The exact cause is unknown, but it is likely to be a combination of factors, which in general contribute to the likelihood of having a thrombosis. These include smoking, immobility (related for instance to the thrombosis seen after long flights) and the contraceptive pill. There is a slight tendency for the disease to run in families and there may be a family history of clots, of miscarriages, or of other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and thyroid problems.

Lowe syndrome is caused by a defective gene that results in the deficiency of an enzyme called phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate 5 phosphatase. This enzyme is essential to normal metabolic processes that take place in a small part of the cell called the Golgi apparatus. Because of the enzyme deficiency, cell functions that are regulated by the Golgi are abnormal, leading to various developmental defects including cataracts and problems in the brain and kidneys.

The cause of Poland syndrome is uncertain. The disorder is currently considered "a nonspecific developmental field defect" occurring at about the sixth week of fetal development. According to one report, diminished blood flow through the subclavian artery that goes to the arm has been blamed, but final proof for this idea is lacking.

There are several causes of plantar fasciitis / heel pain syndrome. Poor footwear, sedentary lifestyles, obesity and sports injuries are the most common causes of chronic stress leading to heel pain. It is more common in women than men. People ages 40-60 are the most susceptible to developing plantar fasciitis.

CVS is caused by our eyes and brain reacting differently to characters on the screen than they do to printed characters. Our eyes have little problem focusing on most printed material, which is characterized by dense black characters with well-defined edges. Healthy eyes can easily maintain focus on the printed page. Characters on a computer screen, however, don't have this contrast or well-defined edges.

The short answer is, there is no single cause but rather a number of them that seem to contribute to the development of Asherman's. Asherman's appears most frequently in women who have had a "D&C" (dilation and curettage) for the removal of retained placenta after birth of a child, to clear the uterus after miscarriage of a child, or for purposes of aborting a pregnancy.

The normal production of cortisol involves three parts of the body. An area in the brain, called the hypothalamus, produces a hormone called corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). This hormone travels via blood vessels to the pituitary gland, located just below the brain, and triggers release of adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH). The ACTH travels through the bloodstream and when it reaches the adrenal glands, which lie above each kidney, cortisol is released.

Normally in reproduction, the egg cell of the mother and the sperm cell of the father start out with the usual number of 46 chromosomes. The egg and sperm cells undergo cell division, in which the 46 chromosomes are divided in half and the egg and the sperm cells end up with 23 chromosomes each. When a sperm with 23 chromosomes fertilizes an egg with 23 chromosomes, the baby ends up with a complete set of 46 chromosomes, half from the father and half from the mother.

The Stevens Johnson Syndrome has been associated with a variety of infectious and pharmacologic agents. It is most often caused by drugs, especially sulfas, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and anticonvulsants such as phenytoin. However, it is important to realize that numerous drugs can be a potential cause. Vaccines, such as those for tuberculosis and polio, have also been implicated. However, in about half of the SJS cases, no cause can be identified.

Jeffrey Gilbard, MD, conducting research sponsored by the National Eye Institute, has proven that dry eye is caused by any condition that increases tear film evaporation, or by any condition that decreases tear production. These conditions, in turn, may be caused by a dietary deficiency of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Evaporation can increase from chronic eye lid inflammation or "blepharitis," specifically posterior blepharitis or meibomitis.

The exact cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is until now unexplained. One talks of a functional illness, because there are no organic changes which can be determined, e.g. inflammation or tumors. However, this does not mean that one is dealing with a psychological disorder. Stress and emotional conflict situations can, however, considerably influence the illness. Other factors can equally facilitate the development of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Nobody really knows. It seems probable that the conditions are caused by a variety of factors which impact on brain development resulting in certain parts of the brain's neural network developing differently. They are definitely not caused by a person's upbringing.