What distinguishes Asperger's Syndrome from autism is the severity of the symptoms and the absence of language delays. Children with Asperger's may be only mildly affected and frequently have good language and cognitive skills. To the untrained observer, a child with Asperger's may seem just like a normal child behaving differently. They may be socially awkward, not understanding of conventional social rules, or show a lack of empathy.

Syndrome" is a medical term for a condition in which there is a collection of signs (observable body changes) and symptoms (problems observed by the patient) recognizable by a doctor's exam. Individuals with a syndrome may not have all of its associated signs and symptoms, but they must have enough to be considered "diagnostic." Conversely, because someone may display some of the signs and symptoms of a syndrome, does not necessarily mean they have it.

HELLP Syndrome occurs in 4 percent to 12 percent of the women who have preeclampsia. It is one of the most severe forms of preeclampsia. HELLP stands for: hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and lowered platelets. HELLP Syndrome most often affects the liver, causing stomach and right shoulder pain. HELLP Syndrome is most dangerous because it can occur before you exhibit the classic symptoms of preeclampsia. It is often mistaken for the flu or gallbladder problems.

Only 3 to 5% of cases are inherited; the rest arise as an accident of chromosome arrangement during meiosis. For details, see my essay on the origin of trisomy 21 or Dr. Paul Benke's essay on the types of DS, and the risk and recurrence risk of DS. No. Down syndrome occurs at conception, so nothing in the pregnancy can cause Down syndrome to occur. As for prior to conception, the research all shows that drug or alcohol use does not increase the risk of having a child with DS.

Tourette Syndrome TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by tics -- involuntary, rapid, sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly in the same way.

Down's Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by extra genetic material (genes) from the 21st chromosome. The extra genes cause certain characteristics that we know as Down's syndrome. Individuals with Down's Syndrome also have all the other genes given to them by their parents. As a result, they have a combination of features typical of Down's Syndrome on top of the individual features from their parents.

The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is causing an abnormality of the heart's electrical system. The mechanical function of the heart is entirely normal. The electrical problem is due to defects in heart muscle cell structures called ion channels. These electrical defects predispose affected persons to a very fast heart rhythm (arrhythmia) called "Torsade de Pointes" (TdP) which leads to sudden loss of consciousness (syncope) and may cause sudden cardiac death.

The diagnosis is commonly suspected or made from the electrocardiogram (ECG). All children and young adults should have an ECG as part of their evaluation for an unexplained loss of consciousness episode. On the other hand, there is the possibility to check blood samples for known gene mutations that cause LQTS.

Poland syndrome is a unique pattern of one-sided malformations that are present at birth. Poland syndrome is characterized by a defect of the chest (pectoralis) muscle on one side of the body and webbing of the fingers (cutaneous syndactyly) of the hand on the same side (ipsilateral hand).

For a long time we thought that individuals who were in a state of diminished consciousness were unable to respond. Through years of working with people with severe brain injuries and diminished responding capacities we have learned that the person may be receiving information but be unable to produce an effective response. Some people may communicate with an eye blink, a facial gesture or even by moving a toe.

Metabolic Syndrome is a group of disorders and symptoms that when present increases ones risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. These disorders include: Abdominal obesity (where waist circumference is greater than 40 inches in men and greater than 35 inches in women) It starts with insulin resistance, which is a reduced sensitivity of the body's tissues—primarily the liver and muscles—to the action of insulin. The following FAQ explains this:

About 40% of women experience PES. It is a result of tissue necrosis from the infarcted myomata. PES is characterized by pain, fever, high white blood cell count, nausea and vomiting. This should be followed closely to distinguish it from a complicating infection.

Many things can increase your risk for developing atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). These include: Call your doctor immediately if you have a sudden onset of leg pain, numbness, or pale, blue-black skin. Leg pain that begins after walking a certain distance and goes away when you rest (intermittent claudication). Taking a wait-and-see approach, called watchful waiting, is not appropriate for peripheral arterial disease.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is part of a spectrum of diseases known as Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders which include diseases such as noncardiac chest pain, nonulcer dyspepsia, and chronic constipation or diarrhea. These diseases are all characterized by chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms for which no structural or biochemical cause can be found.