Introduction:
Laura Copeland was a twenty four year old Peace Corp representative in Ethiopia. During her work her health seemed to be “off” (Magic Foundation 2014). Some of the odd health effects were extreme weight gain, deep purple stretch marks, slow wound healing, hair loss, “severely depressed with suicidal ideation”, and a ceased menstrual cycle. Her Manager and the other people involved with her care became severely concerned. She was flown out to Washington D.C. to get a medical evaluation, and was placed on suicide watch in the mental ward. She spent 28 days in the hospital being poked, and prodded as a “human lab rat.” While all this testing was going on a nurse noticed on Laura’s ID that her face had become significantly rounder in appearance than it was when the picture was taken ”moon face”. She mentioned this to Laura’s doctors who immediately ordered a 24 hour urinary sample. The nurse’s suspicions were confirmed, and Laura was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. After receiving an MRI a tumor was located on Laura’s pituitary gland. Laura received three brain surgeries to remove the “gooey tumor.” Laura’s cortisol levels are still not, and may never return to normal. However with diet, exercise, and medication she can keep the symptoms in control for now.
Cushing’s disease:
The hypothalamus in the brain is above the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus releases corticotrophin (CHR) which is a chemical messenger. CHR stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenal corticotrophin (ACTH). ACTH which is released into the blood then signals the adrenal gland. When the adrenal gland receives ACTH it is the chemical signal for cortisol production. In a normal system cortisol (an anti-inflammatory) production would st...
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There are certain aspects that may have provided better treatment, but probably could not have prevented the tragedy. Clear communication and understanding for the culture were essential aspects that were lacking during her treatment. Additionally, the presence of a questionnaire like the one developed by Arthur Kleinman would have bridged the gap between the patient and the provider (Fadiman, 1997, p. 260).
Karmen is a 50-year-old married who told her psychiatrist that she was considering suicide through overdosing on Advil. She complains of severe back pain that has left her with a “poor mood”. She talked about the injury for a long period of time. When doctors did not validate her injury, she described feeling abandoned. Karmen had gained weight and was upset about that. She did not take making suicidal comments seriously and often just used them as a threat towards her husband. She craved the attention of the doctors, and was flirtatious with the person who interviewed her. Karmen’s husband said that she talked about suicide on a regular basis. Karmen became sexually active early in life and has always gone for older men.
The book "Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness" by Susannah Calahan is a narrative telling the life changing story of an unimaginable descent into madness, and the genius, lifesaving diagnosis that almost didn't happen. Previously healthy Susannah never would have imagined waking up in the hospital one day with no recollection of her battle with a disease that not only threatened her sanity but also her life. A team of doctors spent a month trying to pin down a medical explanation of what exactly what had gone wrong. During this time, we learn more about Susannah's family, friends, and loved ones and how each of them affect her overall wellbeing. Eventually, with the help of one special
...ical necessities and furthermore cannot trust any doctor anymore because people in Hopkins took her tissues and cells and exploited them.
Mary has suffered with her illness for over 10 years. She has previously been diagnosis with a Cluster B type Personality Disorder. Mary comes across as narcissistic, self-engrossed and can be very demanding at times. Mary suffers from anxiety and is prone to panic attacks in relation to her PD diagnosis. At times Mary has been known to make ...
CAH is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder and males and females are affected in equal numbers. Chromosome 6 is where the group of genes lie that causes the most common forms of CAH. Adrenocorticotropic hormones (ACTH) are released by the anterior lobe in the pituitary gland. Its role is to act on cells of the adrenal cortex which then synthesizes corticosteroids and cortisol. However, those with CAH have insufficient amounts of the enzyme 21-hydroxylase, needed to convert 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) into cortisol.
Psychguide (2016). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms, Causes and Effects. Retrieved August 20, 2016, from http://psychguides.com
Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system and secretion of hormones with its different diseases. It is concerned with developmental events such as growth, differentiation, and the psychological or behavior of tissue function. Activities of hormones in sleep, digestion, respiration, excretion, mood, stress, lactation, movement, reproduction is involved .
Cushing's syndrome happens when tissues in the body are exposed to high levels of cortisol for too long. Cortisol is produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland and ...
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As Katelyn talks, she transforms from an average college student to one with a serious illness, a condition that almost 24% of college students had been diagnosed with in 2003, at one time in their life.
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