Disability
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Corticosteroids
When airway inflammation (which causes swelling) contributes to airflow obstruction, anti-inflammatory medications (more specifically, corticosteroids) may be beneficial. Examples of corticosteroids include Prednisone and Prednisolone. Twenty to thirty percent of patients with COPD show improvement in lung function when given corticosteroids by mouth.
Unfortunately, high doses of oral corticosteroids over prolonged periods can have serious side effects, including osteoporosis, bone fractures, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, thinning of the skin and easy bruising, insomnia, emotional changes, and weight gain. Therefore, many doctors use oral corticosteroids as the treatment of last resort.
When oral corticosteroids are used, they are prescribed at the lowest possible doses for the shortest period of time to minimize side effects. When it is necessary to use long term oral steroids, medications are often prescribed to help reduce the development of the above side effects.
Corticosteroids also can be inhaled. Inhaled corticosteroids have many fewer side effects than long term oral corticosteroids. Examples of inhaled corticosteroids include beclomethasone dipropionate (Beclovent, Beconase, Vancenase, and Vanceril), triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort), fluticasone (Flovent), budesonide (Pulmicort), mometasone furoate (Asmanex) and flunisolide (Aerobid). Inhaled corticosteroids have been useful in treating patients with asthma, but in patients with COPD, it is not clear whether inhaled corticosteroid have the same benefit as oral corticosteroids.
Nevertheless, doctors are less concerned about using inhaled corticosteroids because of their safety. The side effects of inhaled corticosteroids include hoarseness, loss of voice, and oral yeast infections. A spacing device placed between the mouth and the MDI can improve medication delivery and reduce the side effects on the mouth and throat. Rinsing out the mouth after use of a steroid inhaler also can decrease these side effects.
Advair, a powered inhaler device, contains both salmeterol (a long acting beta-agonist) and fluticasone (an inhaled steroid).
This medication has shown to be effective in COPD patients with chronic bronchitis. Its major side effects include the possible development of thrush (oral candidiasis) and hoarseness.
Treatment of Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Emphysema can develop at a very young age in some patients with severe alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT). Replacement of the missing or inactive AAT by injection can help prevent progression of the associated emphysema. This therapy is of no benefit in other types of COPD.
What is the role of oxygen as therapy in COPD?
Sufficient oxygen is a requirement for the proper function of tissues in the body. Among all individuals, including those with COPD, there is a protective mechanism in the lung that causes constriction of blood vessels in areas of the lung that have a low concentration of oxygen because they are not being ventilated well.
Constriction of the blood vessels in these areas prevents blood from traveling through these poorly-ventilated parts of the lung where there can be little exchange of oxygen (and carbon dioxide). Instead, blood is diverted to other well-ventilated parts of the lung where exchange can take place.
Unfortunately, although this mechanism improves the efficiency of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, the constriction of the blood vessels also causes the blood pressure in the lungs to rise, a condition called pulmonary hypertension. The increased pressure requires the heart to work extra hard to pump blood to the lungs, and the right side of the heart (which is the side of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs) may fail from the extra work. This often can be detected first in a patient by the presence of ankle swelling.
Oxygen from tanks or concentrators (devices that concentrate oxygen in the air) that is inhaled by patients with COPD through masks or cannulas can relax the blood vessels and decrease blood pressure in the lung.
This decreases the work that the right side of the heart must perform and can improve heart failure. Newer technology allows for very light weight tanks that supply many hours of oxygen therapy. These devices increase the mobility and hence the quality of life in these COPD patients.
Oxygen requirements can vary in patients with COPD. Some require oxygen continuously while others only need oxygen with exercise or sleep.
These needs are determined by measurements of oxygen levels either with an arterial blood gas (ABG) measurement or by oximetry. It is important to note that not all patients perceive their oxygen requirements correctly.
Thus, some patients with COPD can have severely reduced levels of oxygen and be unaware of it. These patients may resist using oxygen; however, many scientific studies have demonstrated that using oxygen appropriately prolongs the lives of these patients.
What else is available for treating COPD?
Pulmonary rehabilitation has become a cornerstone in the management of moderate to severe COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of education regarding lung function and dysfunction, proper breathing techniques (diaphragmatic breathing, pursed lip breathing), and proper use of respiratory equipment and medications. An essential ingredient in this program is the use of increasing physical exercise to overcome the reduced physical capacity that usually has developed over time. In addition, occupational and physical therapy are used to teach optimal and efficient body mechanics.
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has received much fanfare in the lay press. LVRS is a surgical procedure used to treat some patients with COPD. The premise behind this surgery is that the over-inflated, poorly-functioning upper parts of the lung compress and impair function of the better-functioning lung elsewhere.
Thus, if the over-inflated portions of lung are removed surgically, the compressed lung may expand and function better. In addition, the diaphragm and the chest cavity achieve more optimal positioning following the surgery, and this improves breathing further. The best criteria for choosing patients for LVRS are still uncertain. A national study was completed in 2003. Patients primarily with emphysema at the top of their lungs, whose exercise tolerance was low even after pulmonary rehabilitation, seemed to do the best with this procedure. On average, lung function and exercise capacity among surviving surgical patients improved significantly following LVRS, but after two years returned to about the same levels as before the procedure. Patients with forced expiratory volume in FEVI of less than 20% of predicted and either diffuse disease on the CAT scan or lower than 20% diffusing capacity or elevated carbon dioxide levels had higher mortality. The role of LVRS is at present is very limited.
Neuromuscular Disorders
Neuromuscular disorders affect the nerves that control your voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. Your nerve cells, also called neurons, send the messages that control these muscles. When the neurons become unhealthy or die, communication between your nervous system and muscles breaks down. As a result, your muscles weaken and waste away. The weakness can lead to twitching, cramps, aches and pains, and joint and movement problems. Sometimes it also affects heart function and your ability to breathe.
Examples of neuromuscular disorders include
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Spinal muscular atrophy
Developmental Disabilities
Developmental disabilities are birth defects that cause lifelong problems with how a body part or system works.
They include
• Nervous system disabilities affecting how the brain, spinal cord and nervous system function. They cause mental retardation, including Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome. They also cause learning and behavioral disorders, such as autism
• Sensory-related disabilities, which can cause vision, hearing and sight problems
• Metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria, which affect how your body processes the materials it needs to function
• Degenerative disorders such as Rett syndrome, which might only become apparent when children are older and can cause physical and mental problems
Most developmental disabilities have no cure, but you can often treat the symptoms. Physical, speech and occupational therapy might help. Special education classes and psychological counseling can also help.
Stroke
Also called: Brain attack
A stroke is a medical emergency. Strokes happen when blood flow to your brain stops. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. There are two kinds of stroke. The more common kind, called ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain.
The other kind, called hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. "Mini-strokes" or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), occur when the blood supply to the brain is briefly interrupted.
Symptoms of stroke are
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you have any of these symptoms, you must get to a hospital quickly to begin treatment. Acute stroke therapies try to stop a stroke while it is happening by quickly dissolving the blood clot or by stopping the bleeding.
Post-stroke rehabilitation helps individuals overcome disabilities that result from stroke damage. Drug therapy with blood thinners is the most common treatment for stroke.
Paralysis
Also called: Hemiplegia, Palsy, Paraplegia, Quadriplegia
Paralysis is the loss of muscle function in part of your body. It happens when something goes wrong with the way messages pass between your brain and muscles.
Paralysis can be complete or partial. It can occur on one or both sides of your body.
It can also occur in just one area, or it can be widespread. Paralysis of the lower half of your body, including both legs, is called paraplegia. Paralysis of the arms and legs is quadriplegia.
Most paralysis is due to strokes or injuries such as spinal cord injury or a broken neck. Other causes of paralysis include
• Nerve diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Bell's palsy, which affects muscles in the face
Polio used to be a cause of paralysis, but polio no longer occurs in the U.S.
Bipolar Disorder
Also called: Manic-depressive illness
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. People who have it experience dramatic mood swings.
They may go from overly energetic, "high" and/or irritable, to sad and hopeless, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The up feeling is called mania.
The down feeling is depression.
Bipolar disorder can run in families. It usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood. If you think you may have it, tell your health care provider.
A medical checkup can rule out other illnesses that might cause your mood changes.
Untreated, bipolar disorder can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.
However, there are effective treatments: medicines and "talk therapy". A combination usually works best.
Special Note: A positive homelife and good upbringing can change the future of these young people without medication or therapy.
Cancer
Also called: Carcinoma, Malignancy, Neoplasms, Tumor
Cancer begins in your cells, which are the building blocks of your body. Normally, your body forms new cells as you need them, replacing old cells that die. Sometimes this process goes wrong. New cells grow even when you don't need them, and old cells don't die when they should.
These extra cells can form a mass called a tumor. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren't cancer while malignant ones are. Cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break away and spread to other parts of the body.
Most cancers are named for where they start. For example, lung cancer starts in the lung, and breast cancer starts in the breast.
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is. Treatment plans may include surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Lymphoma
Also called: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer of a part of the immune system called the lymphatic system. There are many types of lymphoma. One type is called Hodgkin's disease. The rest are called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas begin when a type of white blood cell, called a T cell or B cell, becomes abnormal. The cell divides again and again, making more and more abnormal cells. These abnormal cells can spread to almost any other part of the body. Most of the time, doctors can't determine why a person gets non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause many symptoms, such as
• Swollen, painless lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever
• Soaking night sweats
• Coughing, trouble breathing or chest pain
• Weakness and tiredness that don't go away
• Pain, swelling or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
Your doctor will perform an exam and lab tests to determine if you have lymphoma.
A Workbook for Youth with Disabilities
www.ncwd-youth.info/assets/guides/411/411_Disability_Disclosure_complete.pdf
Sex Education for Physically, Emotionally, and Mentally Challenged Youth
This site also provides a list of organizations and websites.
www.advocatesforyouth.org/PUBLICATIONS/frtp/challengedyouth.htm
Autism Spectrum Disorders: The New Rainbow
Autism Information Center
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/screening.htm
Autism Walk Results and Local Support Group Announcement
Thanks to all for your support of our 2nd Annual Local Autism Walk Around the World held on September 20th at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. This year we raised nearly $2500 in scholarship funds for families affected by Autism. Although this scholarship is available to parents worldwide, we have several families in our local area that are receiving these scholarship funds or are actively applying for assistance and fundraising for their own training at the Autism Treatment Center of America, Home of the Son-Rise Program.
At the Autism Treatment Center of America, I found my tool box. Actually this toolbox has always been there, filled to the brim with God given tools. The Son-Rise program taught us how to use our tools with precision. No one loves our children like we do. No one wants more for them. No one believes in them like we do. My family has learned how to set up a loving home environment as well as a successful learning environment for our special child. He is successfully learning how to build relationships in this environment, and when he is really good at it, we will integrate other children into his life.
Typically, it is our children that get integrated into an often over stimulating classroom with many distractions and many other children. not to mention a totally unpredictable social environment. So, here comes the kid that flaps his hands when he gets excited. He gets excited because literally everywhere in the classroom there is something really cool to look at or pick up, etc. He has no intention to create mischief and definitely not to draw attention to himself, just innocent curiosity. Other kids, maybe even the teacher, might "judge" his hand flapping behavior as weird. Now he is the weird kid that flaps his hands. This weird kid is by no means un-intelligent, and he senses that others are not comfortable around him. It isn't long before he is showing signs of aggression towards the other kids. I heard this scenario slightly different from so many parents before me. This particular scenario was my fear of my own child's future. When I learned that it doesn't have to go this way, you better believe I was ready to do whatever I had to do to give him every chance possible to be successful.
There is no magic Autism pill.
Recovery does not happen overnight and you will not find a parent of a recovered child that will tell you otherwise. Regardless of the controversy, people are recovering.
The good news is that we don't have to wait around to find the cause, the cure was born with the child; the parent! The cure is time, patience, love, dedication, and above all hope. Parents and caregivers today have every reason to believe that their child can accomplish and overcome, regardless of age. It is never too late to start something new, we never stop growing and learning. Our brains and even our bodies are constantly changing and creating. I had the privilege a year ago to sit in training at the Autism Treatment Center of America alongside a Mother from India. This was her second trip in 6 months to the United States on a modest income. When she was asked why she came back, she replied in slightly broken English, "Because I know this works, and I am doing it. My son is 31 years old and has never spoken until 6 months ago. They always told us he would never speak and we believed them. Now we believe in our son and he gives us words."
You may learn more about the Son-Rise program as well as view free training web videos at
Upcoming Meetings:
More to come! Our Web Site
cts.vresp.com/c/?OhioCoalitionfortheE/17b4d30890/24712a66e0/3d73036e93
Autism Diagnosis Education Pilot Project
(614) 846-6258
AUTISM ONE 2009
Dear Friends and Colleagues -
We are delighted to announce the launch of the next generation of AutismOne’s website as we move to increase the education, information, and reach of your voice. We have always been a conversation – parents and professionals – together focusing on the needs and together providing the answers for our children and families.
It’s about treatment, recovery, and prevention – it’s a conversation of hope and change. We learn from each other lighting the way for ourselves and the parents who follow.
Lend your voice. I’ll be blogging right there beside you. The new AutismOne site is temporarily located at
new.AutismOne.org
After the conference we will move to www.AutismOne.org
Click here and join the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.
Autism and other developmental disabilities
Attention Families with Autistic Children:
If you would like to get together with other families with Autistic children or just with other parents that understand what you are going through please email Pamela at Pamela@NewHeightsEducation.org.
If you are interested in more information on the Son-Rise Program- Autism Treatment Center of America please check out their website http://www.autismtreatment.com
Autism Scholarship information:
Famous People with Disabilities
www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/general/famous.html
Autism Fact Sheet Published to view download
http://www.ies.ed.gov/ncser/pubs
Yellow Pages for Kids
© Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.