Sue1
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Just as information which relates to some of Michael's health conditions and which the autopsy report has given names of the prescribed medication which he would have needed the medication for:
For good measure I will add information about a few of the conditions Michael actually had in the hope that this will at least account for the prescription medication that was used to treat him which are actually are named in the autopsy report.
How Lupus Affects the Body
The Cardiopulmonary System
For those with lupus it is very important to know the differences between cardiopulmonary complications and non-lupus related problems. How lupus can affect the heart, lungs, blood and circulatory system will be covered in this section.
The Gastrointestinal System
People with lupus may be affected by problems in any area of the GI system, including the surrounding organs such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and the gallbladder. This section will provide you with an overview on how lupus can impact the gastrointestinal system.
The Musculoskeletal System
More than 90 percent of people with SLE will experience joint and/or muscle pain at some time during the course of their illness. This section will discuss how lupus can affect the muscles, joints, tendons, and bones in those with lupus.
The Nervous System
Although nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unclear and controversial, people with lupus do often experience signs associated with the body's nervous system. In this section you can learn how lupus can affect the three main areas of the nervous system: the Central Nervous System, the Peripheral Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System as well as a discussion on memory involvement and lupus headaches and treatments.
The Renal (Kidney) System
It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of all people with lupus, and as many as two-thirds of all children with lupus, will develop kidney complications that require medical evaluation and treatment. This section will explain how lupus can affect the kidneys, laboratory testing to asses if the health of your kidneys (urinalysis, blood tests and kidney biopsies), treatments and other lupus related kidney disorders.
The Skin
Approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop some type of skin disease or cutaneous lupus. In this section you will learn about the forms of skin lupus (Discoid Lupus, Subacute Cutaneous Lupus and Acute Cutaneous Lupus), treatments for cutaneous lupus as well as other skin problems that can occur when you have lupus. Several other conditions that can also occur when you have lupus will also be discussed.
Oral Disease in Lupus
Approximately 95% of lupus patients suffer from some form of oral involvement. Disregarding the importance of proper dental care can be a painful and costly error that in some cases may actually be dangerous. This section discusses the oral and dental issues that can occur with lupus as well as a Lupus Guide to Dental.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies
Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APLS) were first discovered in people who had lupus, it was later learned there are many people who produce these antibodies who do not have systemic lupus. This section will discuss APLS, its impact on those with lupus and its treatment.
Blood Disorders
Blood is made up of many different parts, but those that are most often affected by lupus are the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. Those with lupus may experience anemia (low red cell count), Thromobocytopenia (low platelet count), Leukopenia and Neutropenia (low white cell count) and blood clots. Learn how this may impact you and the treatments used.
Lupus and Overlap Disease
Lupus can occur in combination with other connective tissue or autoimmune diseases. When this occurs it is often call overlapping disease. This section will discus the theory behind overlapping disease and how they affect those with lupus.
Sjogren’s syndrome and Lupus
It is not uncommon for those with lupus to also have another chronic autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s Syndrome. Sjogren’s syndrome causes the glands that produce tears and saliva do not function correctly. This section will tell you more about Sjogren’s Syndrome and how it can affect those with lupus.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels caused by lupus. This section discusses how vasculitis can affect the organs, blood vessels and the nervous system. An overview of the diagnosis and treatment of vasculitis are covered.
Osteoporosis
It is estimated that as many as 25% of pre-menopausal women with lupus may have osteopenia, or low bone mineral density (BMD), an early sign of osteoporosis. The use of corticosteroid medication often prescribed to treat SLE can trigger significant bone loss. In addition, pain and fatigue caused by the disease can result in inactivity, further increasing osteoporosis risk. A discussion on lupus and osteoporosis as well as some management strategies are discussed in this section.
The Eyes
Eye disease occurs in approximately 20 percent of patients with SLE. In some cases, eye problems are related to the inflammatory process of lupus itself. In other cases problems may be due to drug treatment (corticosteroids or antimalarials) or may be a separate problem (glaucoma or retinal detachment).
Check out our new interactive "Could you have lupus?" symptom checklist!
This interactive tool was designed to help you better understand the many ways that lupus can affect your body. Each highlighted section features a text box which provides a brief description of how lupus can damage a particular organ or system, from the brain to the blood vessels. You will also be able to go further into the Website for more detailed information. Included is a set of health questions for you to answer that will help your doctor know if you may be at risk for lupus
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
What is vitiligo, and what causes it?
Vitiligo (pronounced vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose) and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white.
The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. There is strong evidence that people with vitiligo inherit a group of three genes that make them susceptible to depigmentation. The most widely accepted view is that the depigmentation occurs because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease -- a disease in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues. People's bodies produce proteins called cytokines that, in vitiligo, alter their pigment-producing cells and cause these cells to die. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven as causes of vitiligo.
Who is affected by vitiligo?
About 0.5 to 1 percent of the world's population, or as many as 65 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 1 to 2 million people have the disorder. Half the people who have vitiligo develop it before age 20; most develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects both sexes and all races equally; however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.
Vitiligo seems to be somewhat more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases, including hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone called corticosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by the failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12). Scientists do not know the reason for the association between vitiligo and these autoimmune diseases. However, most people with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.
Vitiligo may also be hereditary; that is, it can run in families. Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop vitiligo. In fact, 30 percent of people with vitiligo have a family member with the disease. However, only 5 to 7 percent of children will get vitiligo even if a parent has it, and most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder.
What Causes Insomnia?
There are many possible causes of insomnia. Sometimes there is one main cause, but often several factors interacting together will cause a sleep disturbance. The causes of insomnia include:
Psychological causes
Physical causes
Temporary events or factors
Psychological Causes
In many people, insomnia can be the result of:
Anxiety, a condition in which individuals feel increased tension, apprehension, and feelings of helplessness, fear, worry, and uncertainty. This may be due to the effects that other people at work have on us, financial worries, concerns over relationships outside work or numerous other causes.
For more detailed information about anxiety, go to Anxiety: How To Stop Worrying.
Stress, or how effectively a person copes with any emotional, physical, social, economic, or other factor that requires a response or change.
For more detailed information about coping with stress, go to Stress And How To Manage It.
Depression, a mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement.
For more detailed information about depression, go to Depression: How To Overcome It.
In addition, a lack of a good night's sleep can lead to these very same psychological problems, and a vicious cycle can develop. Professional counseling from a doctor, therapist, or sleep specialist can help individuals cope with these conditions.
Physical Causes
The physical causes of insomnia include the following:
Hormonal changes in women. These include premenstrual syndrome, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
For more detailed information about premenstrual syndrome, go to Premenstrual Syndrome.
Decreased melatonin. The levels of melatonin, the hormone that helps control sleep, decrease as a person ages. By age 60, the body produces very little melatonin.
Medical conditions. These include allergies, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and Parkinson's disease.
For more detailed information about arthritis, go to Osteoarthritis.
For more detailed information about asthma, go to Asthma.
For more detailed information about heart disease, go to Heart Disease: How To Reduce The Risk.
For more detailed information about high blood pressure, go to High Blood Pressure.
For more detailed information about hyperthyroidism, go to Hyperthyroidism.
For more detailed information about Parkinson's disease, go to Parkinson's Disease.
Pain. Pain and discomfort from a medical illness or injury often interfere with sleep.
Genetics. Problems with insomnia do seem to run in some families, although researchers have yet to identify how genetics play a role.
Other sleep disorders. These include sleep apnea (in which one temporarily stops breathing during sleep) and periodic leg and arm movements during sleep (in which one's muscles excessively twitch or jerk).
Temporary Events Or Factors
Short-term insomnia can be linked to events and factors that are often temporary, such as:
Adjustment sleep disorder. This form of sleeplessness is a reaction to change or stress. It may be caused by a traumatic event such as an illness or loss of a loved one, or a minor event such as a change in the weather or an argument with someone.
Jet lag. Air travel across time zones often causes brief bouts of insomnia.
Working the night shift or long shifts. Individuals who work at night and those who work long shifts may have trouble adjusting their sleep habits.
For good measure I will add information about a few of the conditions Michael actually had in the hope that this will at least account for the prescription medication that was used to treat him which are actually are named in the autopsy report.
How Lupus Affects the Body
The Cardiopulmonary System
For those with lupus it is very important to know the differences between cardiopulmonary complications and non-lupus related problems. How lupus can affect the heart, lungs, blood and circulatory system will be covered in this section.
The Gastrointestinal System
People with lupus may be affected by problems in any area of the GI system, including the surrounding organs such as the stomach, liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and the gallbladder. This section will provide you with an overview on how lupus can impact the gastrointestinal system.
The Musculoskeletal System
More than 90 percent of people with SLE will experience joint and/or muscle pain at some time during the course of their illness. This section will discuss how lupus can affect the muscles, joints, tendons, and bones in those with lupus.
The Nervous System
Although nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unclear and controversial, people with lupus do often experience signs associated with the body's nervous system. In this section you can learn how lupus can affect the three main areas of the nervous system: the Central Nervous System, the Peripheral Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System as well as a discussion on memory involvement and lupus headaches and treatments.
The Renal (Kidney) System
It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of all people with lupus, and as many as two-thirds of all children with lupus, will develop kidney complications that require medical evaluation and treatment. This section will explain how lupus can affect the kidneys, laboratory testing to asses if the health of your kidneys (urinalysis, blood tests and kidney biopsies), treatments and other lupus related kidney disorders.
The Skin
Approximately two-thirds of people with lupus will develop some type of skin disease or cutaneous lupus. In this section you will learn about the forms of skin lupus (Discoid Lupus, Subacute Cutaneous Lupus and Acute Cutaneous Lupus), treatments for cutaneous lupus as well as other skin problems that can occur when you have lupus. Several other conditions that can also occur when you have lupus will also be discussed.
Oral Disease in Lupus
Approximately 95% of lupus patients suffer from some form of oral involvement. Disregarding the importance of proper dental care can be a painful and costly error that in some cases may actually be dangerous. This section discusses the oral and dental issues that can occur with lupus as well as a Lupus Guide to Dental.
Antiphospholipid Antibodies
Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APLS) were first discovered in people who had lupus, it was later learned there are many people who produce these antibodies who do not have systemic lupus. This section will discuss APLS, its impact on those with lupus and its treatment.
Blood Disorders
Blood is made up of many different parts, but those that are most often affected by lupus are the red blood cells, the white blood cells and the platelets. Those with lupus may experience anemia (low red cell count), Thromobocytopenia (low platelet count), Leukopenia and Neutropenia (low white cell count) and blood clots. Learn how this may impact you and the treatments used.
Lupus and Overlap Disease
Lupus can occur in combination with other connective tissue or autoimmune diseases. When this occurs it is often call overlapping disease. This section will discus the theory behind overlapping disease and how they affect those with lupus.
Sjogren’s syndrome and Lupus
It is not uncommon for those with lupus to also have another chronic autoimmune disorder called Sjogren’s Syndrome. Sjogren’s syndrome causes the glands that produce tears and saliva do not function correctly. This section will tell you more about Sjogren’s Syndrome and how it can affect those with lupus.
Vasculitis
Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels caused by lupus. This section discusses how vasculitis can affect the organs, blood vessels and the nervous system. An overview of the diagnosis and treatment of vasculitis are covered.
Osteoporosis
It is estimated that as many as 25% of pre-menopausal women with lupus may have osteopenia, or low bone mineral density (BMD), an early sign of osteoporosis. The use of corticosteroid medication often prescribed to treat SLE can trigger significant bone loss. In addition, pain and fatigue caused by the disease can result in inactivity, further increasing osteoporosis risk. A discussion on lupus and osteoporosis as well as some management strategies are discussed in this section.
The Eyes
Eye disease occurs in approximately 20 percent of patients with SLE. In some cases, eye problems are related to the inflammatory process of lupus itself. In other cases problems may be due to drug treatment (corticosteroids or antimalarials) or may be a separate problem (glaucoma or retinal detachment).
Check out our new interactive "Could you have lupus?" symptom checklist!
This interactive tool was designed to help you better understand the many ways that lupus can affect your body. Each highlighted section features a text box which provides a brief description of how lupus can damage a particular organ or system, from the brain to the blood vessels. You will also be able to go further into the Website for more detailed information. Included is a set of health questions for you to answer that will help your doctor know if you may be at risk for lupus
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
What is vitiligo, and what causes it?
Vitiligo (pronounced vit-ill-EYE-go) is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. Similar patches also appear on both the mucous membranes (tissues that line the inside of the mouth and nose) and the retina (inner layer of the eyeball). The hair that grows on areas affected by vitiligo sometimes turns white.
The cause of vitiligo is not known, but doctors and researchers have several different theories. There is strong evidence that people with vitiligo inherit a group of three genes that make them susceptible to depigmentation. The most widely accepted view is that the depigmentation occurs because vitiligo is an autoimmune disease -- a disease in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues. People's bodies produce proteins called cytokines that, in vitiligo, alter their pigment-producing cells and cause these cells to die. Another theory is that melanocytes destroy themselves. Finally, some people have reported that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress triggered vitiligo; however, these events have not been scientifically proven as causes of vitiligo.
Who is affected by vitiligo?
About 0.5 to 1 percent of the world's population, or as many as 65 million people, have vitiligo. In the United States, 1 to 2 million people have the disorder. Half the people who have vitiligo develop it before age 20; most develop it before their 40th birthday. The disorder affects both sexes and all races equally; however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.
Vitiligo seems to be somewhat more common in people with certain autoimmune diseases, including hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), adrenocortical insufficiency (the adrenal gland does not produce enough of the hormone called corticosteroid), alopecia areata (patches of baldness), and pernicious anemia (a low level of red blood cells caused by the failure of the body to absorb vitamin B12). Scientists do not know the reason for the association between vitiligo and these autoimmune diseases. However, most people with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.
Vitiligo may also be hereditary; that is, it can run in families. Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop vitiligo. In fact, 30 percent of people with vitiligo have a family member with the disease. However, only 5 to 7 percent of children will get vitiligo even if a parent has it, and most people with vitiligo do not have a family history of the disorder.
What Causes Insomnia?
There are many possible causes of insomnia. Sometimes there is one main cause, but often several factors interacting together will cause a sleep disturbance. The causes of insomnia include:
Psychological causes
Physical causes
Temporary events or factors
Psychological Causes
In many people, insomnia can be the result of:
Anxiety, a condition in which individuals feel increased tension, apprehension, and feelings of helplessness, fear, worry, and uncertainty. This may be due to the effects that other people at work have on us, financial worries, concerns over relationships outside work or numerous other causes.
For more detailed information about anxiety, go to Anxiety: How To Stop Worrying.
Stress, or how effectively a person copes with any emotional, physical, social, economic, or other factor that requires a response or change.
For more detailed information about coping with stress, go to Stress And How To Manage It.
Depression, a mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement.
For more detailed information about depression, go to Depression: How To Overcome It.
In addition, a lack of a good night's sleep can lead to these very same psychological problems, and a vicious cycle can develop. Professional counseling from a doctor, therapist, or sleep specialist can help individuals cope with these conditions.
Physical Causes
The physical causes of insomnia include the following:
Hormonal changes in women. These include premenstrual syndrome, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
For more detailed information about premenstrual syndrome, go to Premenstrual Syndrome.
Decreased melatonin. The levels of melatonin, the hormone that helps control sleep, decrease as a person ages. By age 60, the body produces very little melatonin.
Medical conditions. These include allergies, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and Parkinson's disease.
For more detailed information about arthritis, go to Osteoarthritis.
For more detailed information about asthma, go to Asthma.
For more detailed information about heart disease, go to Heart Disease: How To Reduce The Risk.
For more detailed information about high blood pressure, go to High Blood Pressure.
For more detailed information about hyperthyroidism, go to Hyperthyroidism.
For more detailed information about Parkinson's disease, go to Parkinson's Disease.
Pain. Pain and discomfort from a medical illness or injury often interfere with sleep.
Genetics. Problems with insomnia do seem to run in some families, although researchers have yet to identify how genetics play a role.
Other sleep disorders. These include sleep apnea (in which one temporarily stops breathing during sleep) and periodic leg and arm movements during sleep (in which one's muscles excessively twitch or jerk).
Temporary Events Or Factors
Short-term insomnia can be linked to events and factors that are often temporary, such as:
Adjustment sleep disorder. This form of sleeplessness is a reaction to change or stress. It may be caused by a traumatic event such as an illness or loss of a loved one, or a minor event such as a change in the weather or an argument with someone.
Jet lag. Air travel across time zones often causes brief bouts of insomnia.
Working the night shift or long shifts. Individuals who work at night and those who work long shifts may have trouble adjusting their sleep habits.
