FawnMullen633

It is a subject that, regrettably, is extremely close to my heart. My grandmother, who practically raised me while my mom was out working, experienced Gaucher Disease until the day she died. As a young person, I didn't know what it was. My grandmother was a proud woman and didn't talk about it. I only knew because my mother told me. After she passed on and I got older, I decided I had to know just what it was that took my grandmother. This informative article will give you the basic facts about what Gaucher Disease is and what treatments can be obtained.

The very first thing that surprised me to learn was that Gaucher Disease is most frequent among individuals who are either Jewish or from Eastern or Central Europe. From the Jewish home, it explained a great deal to me. Another thing that i learned that also surprised, as well as scared me was that Gaucher Disease can also be inherited, meaning it's passed on from your own parents. The chances of inheriting the condition decrease with each generation that the disease itself doesn't show up. In my family, it is now 3 generations since, so we're probably pretty safe at this point.

So what is Gaucher Disease? Well, it's really a genetic mutation that effects organs like the liver and spleen. The specific disease is caused by an enzyme deficiency that consequently causes fatty substances to accumulate in these organs. In my grandmother's case it had been in both her liver and her spleen. The illness causes an enlargement of these organs. This explains why my grandmother, who weighed all of 80 pounds, looked like she had a basketball in her stomach.

There are, unfortunately, additional symptoms besides an enlarged liver or spleen. Other medical indications include issues with blood clotting, easy bruising, fractures for no apparent reason, and even bleeding when brushing one's teeth.

Detecting if some one has Gaucher Disease is a simple matter. A blood test is all that is required. The enzyme deficiency will show in the liver and spleen. There are actually three types of Gaucher Disease, but type one is the most typical and the type that my grandmother endured.

Fortunately, we have come a considerable ways since the 60s, when my grandmother suffered from this disease until she passed away in 1974. Today, there are enzyme replacement therapies which are actually quite effective in treating Gaucher Disease. Also, a great diet, lower in saturated fats and meats, saturated in fruits and vegetable, will even help in battle this disease.

Those who are struggling with this infection can actually live quite a while with it. My grandmother developed this infection very young in life and still lived to be 66 years old.

If you or perhaps a cherished one is struggling with Gaucher Disease, there is hope. Please visit your doctor and get him what treatments can be purchased in your area.