Lysosomal storage diseases are genetic disorders resulting from mutations in genes coding for proteins involved in the degradation of normal body compounds, including lipids, proteins and complex carbohydrates. While most lysosomal disorders are caused by defects in genes coding for enzymes, some are caused by defects in genes coding for transport proteins, activator proteins, protective proteins or enzymes involved in the processing of lysosomal enzymes or substrates.

No. Depending on the type of disease, the ethnic background and lifestyle of the patient, some glycogen storage diseases may be so mild that they go unnoticed.

A definite diagnosis can be made by testing a biopsy sample for glycogen concentration, and by assaying the sample for enzyme activity. Distinguishing symptoms of glycogen storage diseases are type-specific. See the exposition on the types of glycogen storage disease.

There is great variability in the clinical features of these different diseases. Symptoms can begin before birth (e.g. fetal hydrops) or can become obvious in the 90th decade (e.g. Gaucher disease).

Symptoms vary among the types of glycogen storage diseases, but common symptoms include low blood sugar, enlarged liver, retarded growth, and abnormal blood biochemistry.

There are no cures for any of the glycogen storage diseases. The less severe diseases can be treated with dietary restrictions, usually high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets. Palliative care may be the only option in more severe cases.

The liver is the body's primary repository of glycogen, so most glycogen storage diseases have a direct adverse effect of the liver. These diseases also affect muscle tissue, which must comply with sudden demands for energy.

Recent research suggests that a prolonged QT-interval could be an important cause for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Mutations in the KCNJ2 gene are associated with Andersen syndrome (AS). AS is a rare, inherited disorder characterized by periodic paralysis, skeletal developmental abnormalities and a prolonged QT-interval (see point 2) with ventricular arrhythmias. Because of the prolongation of the QT-interval, AS is considered a subtype of long QT syndrome.

The following is an excerpt from a pamphlet on Athlete's Foot by the American Academy of Dermatology, April 1994: Athlete's foot does not occur among people who traditionally go barefoot. It's moisture, sweating and lack of proper ventilation of the feet that present the perfect setting for the fungus of athlete's foot to grow.

Neither I nor anyone I know has contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) through work, including a woman who's been in the life for over ten years. Accidents - broken condoms - do happen, but very rarely if you know what you're doing (lots o' lube). Many pros, including me, have a zero-body-fluid rule. The only thing I ever get on me is sweat, which I scrub off ASAP. But then, this happened.

If your injury or disease arises in the course of your employment or if your preexisting condition, disease or infection is aggravated, reactivated, or accelerated by a work injury, you are entitled to benefits. Yes. The aggravation, reactivation, or acceleration of an underlying or preexisting condition entitles you to benefits. For example, if you have degenerative disc disease and a work injury worsens the disease, you may receive benefits.

The most common allergic diseases are allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, allergic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, food allergy, and urticaria (hives). Allergic disease can be classified by the type of allergen (i.e., food allergy) or by the part of the body that is affected. For example, if allergic symptoms appear in your nose, you are said to have allergic rhinitis. If allergic symptoms appear in your lungs, then you have asthma.

Based upon your lifestyle and family history, are you predisposed to any diseases such as breast cancer, heart attack, stroke or osteoporosis? Knowing this information can profoundly influence your decision to use hormones. Ask your doctor or nurse to help you determine your risk or read chapters 3 & 4 on osteoporosis and heart disease in "Sudden Menopause." You should also know what other contraindications exist for hormone therapy (chapter 6 on hormone replacement in "Sudden Menopause").

The term "sexually transmitted diseases" or "STDs" represents a group of more than 25 different diseases that can be passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Schips are not really prone to any viral diseases. They require all the usual protections from diseases , such as parvo and distermper, in addition to protection from parasites. There is a very debilitating and painful genetic disease called MPS-IIIB that affects humans, emus, and Schips. When considering the purchase of a Schipperke, you should request proof of MPS testing for both the sire and the dam.

Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Examples are rabies, tuberculosis, and lyme disease.

RP is sometimes associated with syndromes that also affect other parts of the body. Usher syndrome causes hearing loss and vision loss from RP. Although Bardet-Biedl syndrome can involve many part of the body, the defining features of this syndrome are extra fingers and/or toes (which are present at birth) and obesity. Other diseases have a retinal degeneration that is similar to RP.

Plaque, a thin, colorless, sticky film containing bacteria, which constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria use carbohydrates—sugars and starches—to produce an acid that attacks the enamel covering the teeth. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel can be broken down and a cavity begins. Continued acid attacks eventually dissolve the enamel and penetrate the softer, inner layer of the tooth, where decay can spread rapidly throughout the tooth’s structure.

Teeth can be protected from acid attacks by removing plaque, reducing the number of times and the amount of sugar and starches eaten, using fluorides, having plastic sealants applied to teeth, and by regular professional cleaning of teeth by a dental hygienist.