Dwarfism
Reilly Ibarra
Mr.Cerny/Ms.Williams
English 10 Period 1
7 Mar. 2012
ACHONDROPLASIA
In Walmart that top shelf is easy to reach for some people but for little people it’s just not the same. This topic is about Achondroplasia, otherwise known as dwarfism. One of the important things to know about this disease is that there is no known treatment. Causes of the disease need to be a major focus of research because the first thing people want to know is how it happened. The symptoms of the disease are important. Although dwarfism is inherited it is not the only way you could, also can get it from the FGFR3gene. (Schoenstadt). Achondroplasia is a very hard disease to live with the three main things to know are the causes, treatments , and symptoms of the diseases.
At this time there is no treatment for the underlying genetic anomalies that cause Achondroplasia, however there are some treatments for the anatomical and physiological symptoms that can accompany this disorder (Carson-Dewitt 2006). One treatment that aims to partially correct the most obvious symptom of Achondroplasia, short stature, is the controversial limb lengthening surgery (LLS). This surgery was first attempted in Russia in the 1950’s (Murphy 2002). The ultimate goal of this surgery is to add 12-14 inches of height. In order to achieve this effect the bones of the lower leg are surgically broken and wires attached to an external apparatus, which hold the bone in place. Screws are turned on this external apparatus gradually moving the bone apart and forcing the bone to grow longer as the body heals the gaps (Murphy 2002). There is counseling and seminars that the Little People of America (LPA) organizes. People learn to live with there disorder by going to counseling sessions so they can express there feelings but its just not enough when an average height person is telling a little person it will all get better and that they understand but reality is they don 't get how much they struggle.
Mr.Cerny/Ms.Williams
English 10 Period 1
7 Mar. 2012
ACHONDROPLASIA
In Walmart that top shelf is easy to reach for some people but for little people it’s just not the same. This topic is about Achondroplasia, otherwise known as dwarfism. One of the important things to know about this disease is that there is no known treatment. Causes of the disease need to be a major focus of research because the first thing people want to know is how it happened. The symptoms of the disease are important. Although dwarfism is inherited it is not the only way you could, also can get it from the FGFR3gene. (Schoenstadt). Achondroplasia is a very hard disease to live with the three main things to know are the causes, treatments , and symptoms of the diseases.
At this time there is no treatment for the underlying genetic anomalies that cause Achondroplasia, however there are some treatments for the anatomical and physiological symptoms that can accompany this disorder (Carson-Dewitt 2006). One treatment that aims to partially correct the most obvious symptom of Achondroplasia, short stature, is the controversial limb lengthening surgery (LLS). This surgery was first attempted in Russia in the 1950’s (Murphy 2002). The ultimate goal of this surgery is to add 12-14 inches of height. In order to achieve this effect the bones of the lower leg are surgically broken and wires attached to an external apparatus, which hold the bone in place. Screws are turned on this external apparatus gradually moving the bone apart and forcing the bone to grow longer as the body heals the gaps (Murphy 2002). There is counseling and seminars that the Little People of America (LPA) organizes. People learn to live with there disorder by going to counseling sessions so they can express there feelings but its just not enough when an average height person is telling a little person it will all get better and that they understand but reality is they don 't get how much they struggle.
Bibliography: "Achondroplasia - PubMed Health." Pubmed Health. U.S National Library of Medicine, 2 Nov. 2009. Web. 24 Jan. 2012. . Yu, Irene. "The Science Creative Quarterly » GOING BEYOND THE CURE: ON CONFRONTING THE FUTURE OF GENE THERAPY." The Science Creative Quarterly. 2011. Web. 21 Feb. 2012.