Wilson Disease

Wilson disease is a rare inherited disorder that prevents your body from getting rid of extra copper. You need a small amount of copper from food to stay healthy. Too much copper is poisonous.

Normally, your liver releases extra copper into bile, a digestive fluid. With Wilson disease, the copper builds up in your liver, and it releases the copper directly into your bloodstream. This can cause damage to your brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Wilson disease is present at birth, but symptoms usually start between ages 5 and 35. It first attacks the liver, the central nervous system or both. The most characteristic sign is a rusty brown ring around the cornea of the eye. A physical exam and laboratory tests can diagnose it.

Treatment is with drugs to remove the extra copper from your body. You need to take medicine and follow a low-copper diet for the rest of your life. Don't eat shellfish or liver, as these foods may contain high levels of copper. At the beginning of treatment, you'll also need to avoid chocolate, mushrooms, and nuts. Have your drinking water checked for copper content and don't take multivitamins that contain copper.

With early detection and proper treatment, you can enjoy good health.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Women's Health

Women have unique health issues. And some of the health issues that affect both men and women can affect women differently.

Unique issues include pregnancy, menopause, and conditions of the female organs. Women can have a healthy pregnancy by getting early and regular prenatal care. They should also get recommended breast cancer, cervical cancer, and bone density screenings.

Women and men also have many of the same health problems. But these problems can affect women differently. For example:

• Women are more likely to die following a heart attack than men
• Women are more likely to show signs of depression and anxiety than men
• The effects of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be more serious in women
• Osteoarthritis affects more women than men
• Women are more likely to have urinary tract problems

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Acute Flaccid Myelitis

What is acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a neurologic disease. It is rare, but serious. It affects an area of the spinal cord called gray matter. This can cause the muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak.

Because of these symptoms, some people call AFM a "polio-like" illness. But it is different from polio. AFM is not caused by polioviruses.

What causes acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?

AFM can be caused by several different viruses. Researchers think that enteroviruses have been causing the recent increases in the number of children with AFM. AFM can also be caused by other viruses, including flaviviruses, herpesviruses, and adenoviruses.

Most people with AFM had a mild respiratory illness or fever (like you would get from a viral infection) before they got AFM.

Who is more likely to develop acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?

Anyone can get AFM, but most cases (more than 90%) have been in young children.

What are the symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?

Most people with AFM will suddenly have:

• Arm or leg weakness
• A loss of muscle tone and reflexes

Some people also have other symptoms, including:

• Facial drooping/weakness
• Trouble moving the eyes
• Drooping eyelids
• Trouble swallowing
• Slurred speech
• Pain in the arms, legs, back, or neck

Sometimes AFM can weaken the muscles that you need for breathing. This can lead to respiratory failure, which is very serious. If you get respiratory failure, you may need to use a ventilator (breathing machine) to help you breathe.

If you or your child develops any of these symptoms, get medical care right away.

How is acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) diagnosed?

AFM causes many of the same symptoms as other neurologic diseases, such as transverse myelitis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. This can make it difficult to diagnose. To find out if you have AFM, your doctor may use:

• A neurologic exam, including looking at where there is weakness, poor muscle tone, and decreased reflexes
• An MRI to look at the spinal cord and brain
• Lab tests on the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord)
• Nerve conduction and electromyography (EMG) studies. These tests check nerve speed and the response of muscles to the messages from the nerves.

It is important that the tests are done as soon as possible after the symptoms start.

What are the treatments for acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)?

There is no specific treatment for AFM. A doctor who specializes in treating brain and spinal cord illnesses (neurologist) may recommend treatments for specific symptoms. For example, physical and/or occupational therapy may help with arm or leg weakness. Researchers do not know the long-term outcomes of people who get AFM.

Can acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) be prevented?

There is no specific way to prevent AFM. But you can take steps to prevent getting sick from a virus by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and water
• Avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you frequently touch, including toys
• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve, not hands
• Staying home when sick

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Anatomy

Anatomy is the science that studies the structure of the body. On this page, you'll find links to descriptions and pictures of the human body's parts and organ systems from head to toe.

Arrhythmia

What is an arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. Your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular pattern. Changes in the electrical signals that control your heartbeat cause arrhythmias.

• When your heart beats faster than normal, it's called tachycardia.
• When your heart beats too slowly, it's called bradycardia.
• When the signal to beat comes too early, it's called a premature or extra heartbeat. It may feel like your heart skipped a beat.

There are many types of arrhythmias. Arrhythmias may affect the upper or lower chamber of your heart. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular and fast heartbeat.

Some arrhythmias are harmless, such as when your heart rate speeds up during exercise and slows down when you sleep. But if you have a frequent irregular rhythm, it may mean your heart isn't pumping enough blood into your body. Getting treatment and following a heart-healthy lifestyle can help control arrhythmias. It may also help prevent heart damage that can trigger some heart arrhythmias.

What causes an arrhythmia?

Many factors can affect your heart's rhythm, such as having had a heart attack, smoking, congenital heart defects, and stress. Other factors that could increase your risk for some types of arrhythmias could include if you:

• Have a family history of arrhythmias.
• Have certain health conditions, which can include heart and blood vessel diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, obesity, and sleep apnea.
• Are an older adult.
• Have had recent surgery for your heart, lungs, or throat.
• Take certain medicines for other health conditions.
• Use illegal drugs.

If you have risk factors, some situations that make your heart work harder, raise your blood pressure, or cause strong emotional stress may trigger an arrhythmia.

What are the symptoms of an arrhythmia?

You may not have any noticeable symptoms of an arrhythmia. Your provider may find an arrhythmia during your routine checkup. Symptoms of an arrhythmia can include:

• Fast or slow heartbeat
• Skipping, fluttering, or pounding heartbeats
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Tiredness or weakness

Seek emergency medical care if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or think you are having a heart attack.

How is an arrhythmia diagnosed?

To find out if you have an arrhythmia, your health care provider may order an electrocardiogram (EKG). This test records your heart's electrical activity and is the most common for finding an arrhythmia. Your provider may also:

• Ask about your medical history, including your symptoms and lifestyle habits.
• Do a physical exam, which includes checking your heartbeat and pulse.
• Order blood tests and other heart tests.
• Check your legs or feet for swelling.
• Look for signs of other health conditions that could cause an arrythmia, such as thyroid disease.

What are the treatments for an arrhythmia?

Treatment may include medicines, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker, or sometimes surgery. Your provider may also recommend avoiding activities that may trigger your arrhythmia.

The goal of treatment is to restore a normal heart rhythm. If not treated, arrhythmias can damage your heart, brain, and other organs and could be life-threatening.

Can arrhythmias be prevented?

To help prevent an arrhythmia, your provider may suggest that you make heart-healthy lifestyle changes and treat health conditions that may cause arrhythmias.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute