Progeria is a rare disease that affects children in the first decade of life and causes an unordinary phenotype resembling many aspects of aging (Glynn and Glover, 2005). It is premature aging, phenotypically, appearance wise, and genotypically, the genetic makeup. Although a newborn with this disease may seem normal at first, symptoms do not show until after the first year of life. One out of four to eight million newborns are affected with this disease annually. The victims of progeria, also known as Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome, suffer from life shortening, chronic illnesses and must be continually monitored under doctor’s discretion. Medical scientists have done extensive research regarding this topic, and it is progressing to be less of a medical mystery. The reasons behind the cause of progeria, treatment of it, and progression of finding a cure are all under way for a better understanding for humankind.
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Aging is a natural process of life that takes place after puberty (normally). It occurs when disorder arises between the interactions of molecules in the body increases. When cell death and damage exceed the amount of cell repair and renewal, aging takes place which causes the aging population to be more susceptible to diseases and death. It is detrimental because this may cause waste products to build up and possibly interfere with the immune system and/or metabolism. With all this happening to us, it is basically the accumulation of changes over time (Leonard Hayflick, 2007). Humans have a finite life expectancy, interior system, outer protective system (i.e. skin and bacteria), and produce carbon dioxide. When they begin to deteriorate, they weaken, slow down, have disruptive biological function...
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...ached to the nuclear envelope since that causes destruction inside the cell and an unstable nucleus; this is the reverse reaction of progeria. This ends up having the progeria gene not attaching to the nucleus causing the nucleus to remain at its normal state (Glover and Glynn 2005).
Conclusion
All in all, progeria is a life shortening disease that is caused by premature aging. The patients of this disease do not live long, usually to the age of thirteen, and suffer from chronic illnesses associated with progeria. Unfortunately, there is no known fully effective cure, but there are several treatments that assist progeria patients in living less difficult lives. The progression to finding a cure is getting closer, since the pathogen of the disease has been discovered. There are high hopes for progeria patients, and they should live their lives to the fullest!
Progeria causes the child to have the physical characteristics of an old person. The first time it is visible that something is wrong is the age of one- or two-years-old. It mainly affects the cardiovascular system. It not only affects the cardiovascular system but also the skin and appearance. That is why at age ten they look and have the cardiovascular problems of an eighty year old.
Humans undergo several stages during their lifetime including growth, development, reproduction and senescence. Senescence is defined as the deteriorative biological changes that organisms experience as they age eventually leading to death. These changes include low metabolism, a weak immune system, memory loss, poor vision and loss of hearing. Senescence begins in humans during their post-reproductive years. However, gerontology research has shown that individuals who reproduce late have longer life spans compared to individuals who reproduce early. Nonetheless, it does not indicate that senescence is inevitable. All organisms experience senescence, but at different rates and time. Many genetic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease are prevalent in older individuals and the symptoms being to appear in middle adulthood. The causes of genetic diseases and disabilities in older individuals are explained by three evolutionary theories: antagonistic pleiotropy theory, mutation accumulation theory and disposable soma theory. These theories suggest that favorable natural selection and heavy allocation of resources for somatic maintenance during the reproductive period decreases the chances of genetic diseases in younger individuals.
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome other wise known as “Progeria”, or “HGPS”, is a very rare, and fatal genetic disorder characterized by an appearance of accelerated aging in young children. The rate of aging is accelerated up to seven times that of a normal life span in first 13 years of life. Progeria comes from the Greek word (πρό), “pro” meaning premature and (γῆρας), “gerias” meaning old age. While there are different forms of Progeria, the most sever form of progeria is formally known as Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, which was named after the doctors in England: in 1886 by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson who described the syndrome, and by Dr. Hastings Gilford who independently discovered it in 1904 (Jameson).
It is noteworthy to mention that there are numerous diseases associated with rapid ageing and progeria like symptoms. Cockayne, Lison, Werner’s, and Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch Syndromes are amongst these diseases. The shortened term progeria can be used to address any of these disorders but is most often specifically associated with HGPS. This distinct disease was named after Jonathan Hutchinson and Hastings Gilford who each independently described it in 1886 and 1897 respectively. Thankfully, this alarming syndrome is so rare that it only affects about 1 in every 4 million children born.
The history in a family can influence many generations. Certain families have stereotypes about them based on family history. This is a real world situation; the movie The Pregnancy Project, stereotypes about teen pregnancy where shown, and how they affect people. In the Pregnancy Project, the use of Gabi’s background influenced people’s reactions because her family has a history of teen pregnancy.
Young children are usually concerned about getting the latest toy, plenty of play-time, and making friends. However, 1 in every 8 million children experience rapid aging and are typically concerned with issues such as hair loss, thin skin, stiff joints, and heart disease (Gordon). This rare fatal genetic disease is known as Progeria. In the last couple of decades, professionals have brought increased awareness and knowledge to Progeria and its symptoms, genetic cause, history, research, treatment, and support resources available to affected children and their families.
Birth is a normal, physiological process, in which a woman’s body naturally prepares to expel the fetus within. It has occurred since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, childbirth has gradually evolved into what it is today - a highly managed whirlwind of unwarranted interventions. Jennifer Block, a journalist with over twelve years experience, has devoted herself to raising awareness regarding the authenticity of the Americanized standard of care in obstetrics, while guiding others to discover the truth behind the medical approach to birth in this country. In her book, Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care, Jennifer Block brings forth startling truths concerning this country’s management of birth.
Aging occurs in every species. Over time a change occurs on a cellular level in a person’s body, which causes degenerative effects on the brain, muscles, organs, bones, hormones, and DNA. In 1991, the book Evolutionary Biology of Aging, offered the following definition of aging: a persistent decline in the age-specific fitness components of an organism due to internal physiological deterioration.1 Aging affects the body physically and mentally. Many people dread getting older due to the numerous changes the body goes through. The geriatric population experiences many pains and is inflicted with various diseases. There are a few who are lucky enough to not get diagnosed with a life altering disease, such as Alzheimer’s, type II diabetes, high blood pressure, macular degeneration, or some form of cancer. Studies have shown that genetics play a vital role in the aging process.
SÍTAR, M.E., YANAR, K., AYDIN, S. and ÇAKATAY, U., CURRENT ASPECTS OF AGEING THEORIES AND CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO MECHANISMS. .
play a large part in our health and our developmental status. The role of age
Some health concerns come with aging into middle adulthood. Physical changes that one might see is that of gray and thinning hair, wrinkles,
Mental health is just as important as physical health in a person’s life. Mental health is critical to a person’s well-being, their ability to live a productive life and to keep a healthy family and interpersonal relationships. Mental health does not just affect the mind it also affects people’s physical health. Some physical health diseases can cause a mental health disorder and vice versa. Mental health disorders are associated with the occurrence, development, and outcome of some of the today’s most chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. When people go untreated from a mental health disorder are at a higher risk for many unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, violent behavior, and suicide.
This essay covers information over the course of prenatal development. I will also discuss teratology and hazards to the prenatal development, those such as, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and opioids. Additionally, I will discuss how maternal factors such as maternal diet and nutrition, maternal age, emotional states and stress, and paternal factors, may influence prenatal development.
To start this off, conception is the action of conceiving a child, and pregnancy is the period from conception to birth. They both share the same meaning: the process of getting pregnant. Conception happens when a sperm penetrates on one of the female’s eggs. Then, at around day 14 of a 28 day cycle, the egg leaves the ovary, and it is surrounded by a protective layer of cells. The fallopian tube is lined with cilia, which helps move the egg towards the womb. This is called ovulation. In the next 12-24 hours, the egg waits to be fertilized by a single sperm. The sperm then swims through the womb to meet the egg in the fallopian tube. And the sperm secretes enzymes to help penetrate the outer layer of the egg. Once the
Depression is a serious problem in today’s time world with everyone going through problems of their own, so one should wonder what depression really is. Depression is defined as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. There are even different types of depression such as persistent depressive disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum, seasonal affective disorder, and etc.