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Cystic Fibrosis 

stages of melanoma
The dark brown coloring represents the progression of melanoma as it begins to grow in skin.

What Is Melanoma?

M elanoma is a cutaneous malignancy with rapid invasion and metastasis to other parts of the body.

Melanoma is characterized by growth from melanocytes appearing as a new mole or enlarging from an exisiting mole, changing shape, size or color.

Melanocytes are cells found in the lower epidermis layer that produce melanin, or pigment, that colors the skin.

What Is Melanoma In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Spina Bifida 

pityriasis rubraWhat Is Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris?

P ityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) is a chronic generalized exfoliative dermatitis (sloughing skin) characterized by erythema (redness), scaling, dilated plugged hair follicles, and keratoderma (thickened skin) of the hands and feet that is often associated with anemia and low serum albumin.

It may manifest either as Type I classical adult onset PRP, Type II atypical adult (onset) PRP, or Type VI PRP (HIV-associated PRP pityriasis rubra pilaris) in contrast to classical juvenile (Type III) and circumscribed juvenile (Type IV) encountered among children.1

Q: Who is affected in the general population?

A: All ages are affected. Pityriasis rubra pilaris occurs all over the world but with racial variations – it is 1 in 5,000 in Great Britain and 1 in 50,000 in India.2

What Is Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Sehgal VN, Srivastava G, Dogra S. Adult onset pityriasis rubra pilaris. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2008 Jul-Aug;74(4):311-21. [↩]
  2. Sehgal VN, Srivastava G, Dogra S. Adult onset pityriasis rubra pilaris. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2008 Jul-Aug;74(4):311-21. [↩]

Anemia, Refractory Iron Deficiency In Childhood (Unresponsive To Iron)

Psoriasis_on_back[1]

 What Is Psoriasis?

P soriasis is a chronic, autommune relapsing skin disorder characterized by scaling, erythema (redness), and less commonly, pustulation.1 

The body surface area affected and the degree to which psoriasis is a problem varies considerably among patients and over time.2 Often there are additional manifestations in the nails and in joints.3

Q: Are there different forms of psoriasis?

A: There are five forms of psoriasis. The lesions in all forms are itchy and red but vary in appearance and severity. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form observed in more than 80% of patients. Atypical forms include guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic psoriasis.4

  • Plaque psoriasis features thickened or raised red areas that have a distinct edge and are covered with silvery white buildup of flaky skin typically on elbows, knees, scalp and buttocks.
  • Gutate psoriasis appears as small, flat red patches with shiny buildup that are not usually painful, just itchy. There may be a few or many patches and they can group together.
  • Inverse psoriasis affects folds of skin, armpits and the groin area. Lesions are deep red with shiny buildup. It can be a thin red area along a crease line or involve, for example, the whole armpit.
  • Pustular psoriasis features an itchy, red base followed by blisters of white, non-infectious pus that appears glossy after a day or two and then sloughs in cycles. These areas may be limited to certain areas such as the hands and feet or be more widespread.
  • Erythrodermic psoriasis involves large areas of the body’s surface, inflaming normal skin and changing it into very red, raw looking flesh that is painful, swollen and itchy. This form requires extensive treatment, and complications can be life-threatening. Fortunately, this form of psoriasis is the least common.

Psoriasis in children has been reported to differ from that among adults being more frequently itchy and plaque lesions are relatively thinner, softer, and less scaly, face and flexural involvement is common and guttate type is the characteristic presentation.5

In children, psoriasis is a common skin disorder with about one third of all patients having onset of disease in the first or second decade of life. A chronic disfiguring skin disease, such as psoriasis, in childhood is likely to have profound emotional and psychological effects, and hence requires special attention.6

What Is Psoriasis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Addolorato G, Parente A, de Lorenzi G, et al. Rapid regression of psoriasis in a coeliac patient after gluten-free diet. A case report and review of the literature. Digestion. 2003;68(1):9-12. [↩]
  2. Stern, R. S., Nijsten, T., Feldman, S. R., Margolis, D. J. and Rolstad, T.

    Psoriasis is common, carries a substantial burden even when not extensive, and is associated with widespread treatment dissatisfaction. J. Invest. Dermatol. Symp.. 2004 Mar;9(2):136-9.. [↩]

  3. Weigle N, McBane S. Psoriasis. Am Fam Physician. 2013 May 1;87(9):626-33. [↩]
  4. Weigle N, McBane S. Psoriasis. Am Fam Physician. 2013 May 1;87(9):626-33. [↩]
  5. Dogra S, Kaur I. Childhood psoriasis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2010 Jul-Aug;76(4):357-65. doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.66580. [↩]
  6. Dogra S, Kaur I. Childhood psoriasis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2010 Jul-Aug;76(4):357-65. doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.66580. [↩]

Osteopenia In Childhood 

sclerodermaWhat Is Scleroderma?

S cleroderma is a chronic skin manifestation of progressive systemic sclerosis characterized by generalized thickened, edematous skin firmly bound to subcutaneous tissue which causes limited movement.

Systemic sclerosis a connective tissue disease that involves destructive changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. The course can be mild or it can be fatal. Cardiopulmonary complications from fibrosis are the most common cause of death.

Gastrointestinal problems mainly due to fibrosis affect 50 to 90% of patients.1

Q: Is there a cure for scleroderma?

A: There is no cure for scleroderma. Treatment is aimed at improving symptoms.

  • Heartburn (acid reflux) can be treated with antacid drugs.
  • Scleroderma kidney disease can be treated with blood pressure medications called “angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors” (ACE inhibitors). These can often effectively control kidney damage if started early and use of these drugs has been a major advance for treating scleroderma.
  • Muscle pain and weakness can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs such as prednisone, intravenous immunoglobin (IVIg), and/or immunosuppressive medications. Physical therapy may be useful to maintain joint and skin flexibility.2

 

What Is Scleroderma In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Forbes A, Marie I. Gastrointestinal complications: the most frequent internal complications of systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2009 Jun;48 Suppl 3:iii36-9. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/ ken485. [↩]
  2. http://www.rheumatology.org [↩]

Glycogenic Acanthosis (Esophageal Plaques)

What Is Intraepithelial Lymphocytosis In Normal Small Bowel Samples? I ntraepithelial lymphocytosis is characterized by an abnormal increase in the numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) that are present in the small intestinal mucosa. Q: What… 

Hypotonia

In this photo, the spleen is the darkish oval organ in the lower middle of this photo. In your body, it is located in your upper abdoman to the left of your stomach under your ribs.
The spleen is the darkish oval organ in the lower middle of this photo.

What Is Hyposplenism?

H yposplenism is the condition resulting from having lost spleen tissue, called atrophy of the spleen. Spleen atrophy impairs splenic functions or activities because there are insufficient tissues to do the work required.

Q: What splenic functions are impaired?

A: The spleen, apart from acting as a phagocytic filter, thus removing aging and damaged cells, is crucial in regulating immune homeostasis by linking innate and adaptive immunity, and in protecting against infections by encapsulated bacteria.1

Impaired function of the spleen therefore increases risk of infections with encapsulated bacteria because of inability to mount a proper defense and to filter and remove bacteria from the circulation.

The spleen is a highly vascular and solid organ about the size of a fist. It has a delicate structure inside that is enclosed by fibrous, elastic layers consisting of connective tissue.

The tissues within are made up of two different types of tissues, called white pulp and red pulp. White pulp carries out lymphoid functions. Red pulp filters and cleanses the blood. The spleen is situated above the stomach on the left side of the upper abdomen and firmly fixed in place by ligaments and ribs.

The spleen is an important organ of the lymph system, having the largest collection of lymph tissue in the body. It functions to produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) and white blood cells (T-cells and B-cells), help control the amount of blood in the body, keep body fluids in balance, destroy and filter out old and damaged cells2 and salvage the iron needed for producing new blood cells, and lastly, clear bacteria through production of substances that enable phagocytosis (engulfing bacteria and other unwanted particles, such as antigens, from blood).

Children and adults with hyposplenism are at risk for overwhelming infections. Management of hypospenism is directed towards preventing pneumonia by immununization against pneumonia and meningitis and treating bacterial infections as they arise, which may require hospitalization. For some patients, life-long treatment with antibiotics, such as erythromycin and penicillin, are recommended.

What Is Hyposplenism In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Sources:
  1. Di Sabatino A, Brunetti L, Carnevale Maffè G, Giuffrida P, Corazza GR. Is it worth investigating splenic function in patients with celiac disease? World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Apr 21;19(15):2313-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i15.2313. [↩]
  2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spleendiseases.html [↩]

Delayed Puberty In Girls 

sick woman on bed, symptom of cold, flu, insomnia, stress, headache, hangover, dizzinessWhat Is Hypokalemic Rhabdomyolysis?

H ypokalemic rhabdomyolysis is an acute and sometimes fatal disease due to its rapid progression of muscle destruction when untreated.

It is characterized by the accumulation of by-products of skeletal muscle destruction in the renal (kidney) tubules and producing acute kidney failure caused by rapid potassium loss.

This condition puts you in bed because the legs muscles cannot support the body and arms are too weak to move.

What Is Hypokalemic Rhabdomyolysis In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity and Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus)

Muscle pain in celiac disease and gluten sensitivityWhat Is Chronic Muscle Pain And Tenderness?

M uscle pain and tenderness, also called myalgia, is a disorder of muscle tissue.

Muscle pain that is ongoing or chronic can result from a variety of disorders, infections, overuse, injury, as an unwanted effect of certain medications, toxic substances, celiac disease, and certain nutritional deficiencies.

What Is Muscle Pain and Tenderness In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Chronic Bullous Dermatosis of Childhood or Linear IgA Dermatosis

Muscle spasm and cramping in celiac disease and gluten sensitivity symptomWhat Are Muscle Spasm, Muscle Cramps?

M uscle spasm and muscle cramps are  disorders of muscle function caused by painful involuntary contractions of affected skeletal muscles characterized by limited movement.

Q: What is the difference between muscle spasm and cramps?

A: Cramps are stronger and more painful than spasms, occurring while the muscle is in its most shortened state.

Skeletal muscles are those that move the body skeleton to do work as we choose. Examples are muscles that move the mouth, arms,  hands, legs, and feet.

What Are Muscle Spasm, Muscle Cramps In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?

Dermatitis Herpetiformis In Childhood

muscle wastingWhat Is Muscle Wasting?

M uscle wasting, or atrophy, is a muscle disorder resulting from the loss of muscle tissue which is characterized by thin muscles that have reduced strength and endurance.

What Is Muscle Wasting In Celiac Disease and/or Gluten Sensitivity?