The History On Spina Bifida Spinal Cord

The History On Spina Bifida Spinal Cord Spina Bifida The founder of Spina Bifida is Professor Nicholas Tulp. Professor Nicholas Tulp gave spina bifida its name. It is estimated that Spina Bifida occurred almost 12,000 years ago. Spina Bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord. Spina Bifida is Latin for open spine. It is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States, according to the Spina Bifida Association. There are three forms of Spina Bifida, Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele. Spina Bifida Occulta is the mildest form of Spina Bifida (occulta means hidden) and it is the most common. Affected individuals have a small defect or gap in one or more of the vertebrae of the spine Spina Bifida Meningocele is the rarest form because it consists of a cyst or fluid-filled sac pokes through the open part of the spine. Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele is the most severe form because it consists of a fully exposed section, or hole of the spinal cord and nerves. This birth defect occurs seven out of every ten thousand livebirths in the United States. As terrifying as this disease sounds, or may seem, it does not affect a persons life span. A person with Spina Bifida, as long as they take care of themselves, can live as long as life will let them live because it CAN be treated. Spina Bifida Occulta usually requires NO treatment, and individuals dont know if they are affected unless they are diagnosed with an x-ray. Some other symptoms are pain(in the back/or hind legs), weakness in the legs, numbers and/or other changes in sensation in the legs and/or back, orthopedic deformities, in the legs, feet, and back, and change in bladder or bowel function. Sometimes you can even see a dimple, tuft of hair, or even a red mark on the lower section of the back. There is also a possibility of skin defects in the lower back, like Hairy patch, Fatty lump, HemangiomaNa reddened or purplish spot on the skin made up of a collection of blood vessels, Dark spots or biri the blue-black marks called Mongolian spots, Skin tract (tunnel) or sinusNsometimes noted on the back as a deep dimpleNespecially if it is too high, i.e higher than the top of the buttocks crease, or if its bottom cannot be seen, and Hypopigmented spotNan area with decreased skin color. Spina Bifida Meningocele is treated surgically. Affected babies usually have no paralysis(loss or ability to move). However, a small number of affected children develop hydrocephalus ( a medical term meaning fluid on the brain) and bladder problems. Doctors monitor affected children carefully, so that they can treat any complications promptly. Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele also is treated with surgery, within twenty four to forty eight hours after birth. As soon after surgery as possible, a physical therapist teaches parents how to exercise their babys legs and feet to prepare for walking with leg braces and crutches. Studies show that about 60 percent of affected children can walk with or without these devices, although many children will require a wheelchair. All diseases are caused by something. The actual cause of Spina Bifida is unknown, but there are many hypothesizes. Some doctors think that the cause is from the lack of folic acid during pregnancy. Some doctors think that the cause of Spina Bifida is from both genetic and environmental factors acting together. The fact of wether Spina Bifida is dominant, recessive, or multi-factorial is also unknown. Doctors have a looked into the fact that some populations might get Spina Bifida more than others. The study examines relative risk and the likelihood that one group is more likely to have Spina Bifida than another group. Spina Bifida is more likely to occur in the Hispanic population. In second comes the White population, and in third comes the American Indian / Alaskan Native population. In fourth we have the Black population, and last but certainly not least we have the Asian / Pacific Islander population that is least at risk. In conclusion Spina Bifida is a very serious disease, that is not life threatening. There are three forms of Spina Bifida, Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele. Spina Bifida Occulta is the most common form, where as Spina Bifida Meningocele is the rarest form. Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele is the most severe form. The disease, Spina Bifida, can be treated, surgically, and medically. People with Spina Bifida have very bright lives ahead of them. They are very strong to live with this type of disease, but it doesnt stop them. Anyone with a problem and/or disease should look up to other people with diseases and fight through the tough times. After reading my essay if you feel that you would like to help out with this disease, you can contribute help to the Spina Bifida association.They also have a detailed website that tells even more facts, information, and locations. These locations include where there are specific hospitals, clinics, etc. that help Spina Bifida victims. This is a very, very, extremely scary disease, and we should help those who need help!!! With all this research that I did, I learned a whole lot more than I knew before about this specific disease, Spina Bifida. I am very, very happy to know that this scary disease is treatable. Just like Cancer I wish to help out the associations by giving donations and supporting their charities. People with Spina Bifida work hard to adapt to the way we live now. They set such great lessons, examples, and messages in helping us move on when something bad happens. This paragraph sounds very corny, but it is true. So many people think that their life is tough, and after writing an essay, researching a disease, etc. you begin to find out how easy we have it in the everyday life. Thank you for taking the time to read my essay on Spina Bifida. I hope that you have learned more about this disease , just like I have!! Resources Home http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/spina_bifida.html http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/4439_1224.asp My Science book pg. 700