Antics

hemochromatosis

So watching X-men 2 couple days ago prompted me to wonder the manifestations and pathophysiology behind hemochromatosis. The scene I’m talking about is when Mystique injects the security officer that guards Magneto’s cell with iron. This allows Magneto take all the iron out of the body and basically bring the place down.

Anyway, hemochromatosis is a condition in human where there is too much iron in the body. This is condition is hereditary and you have to inherit two defective genes. So what happens is that the liver begins to retain the iron but you don’t see the effects until later on in life. Sometimes high iron levels are caused by multiple blood transfusions.

Symptoms:

abdominal pain and swelling
fatigue
darkening of the skin and jaundice
weight loss

Treatment(phebotomy) would include removing blood from the body on a regular basis to stabilize iron levels. The removal of the blood is okay because the excess iron will then replenish the body. If left untreated the iron is going accumulate and cause the liver (in which iron resides) to swell. Iron will also accumulate in other vital organs such as the heart or the pituitary gland. Other manifestions are:

liver failure
liver cancer
congestive heart failure
diabetes

sources:

3 days ago

z-o-m-b-i-e-s-are-real:

✝Zombies are waiting for you✝

(Source: oncemoreforluck)

I’m assuming the London Olympics will have Quidditch

(Source: voldemortoutbitches)

This is exactly what will happen couple years down the road when my family brings prospective guys for my arranged marriage. Except I’d be eating a chicken wing. -_-

(Source: grandenonfatmocha)

One day, a long time from now you’ll cease to care anymore whom you please or what anybody has to say about you. That’s when you’ll finally produce the work you’re capable of.

J.D. Salinger (via ilovehotcoffee)

(Source: 500daysofkissingmypillow)

alanine aminotransferase test

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/DDW/32921

This test is commonly used to detect liver damage. According to the link above fatty liver disease is on the rise in teens. Upon reading the article title I had assumed due to increase in alcohol consumption in the teen demographic. However, fatty liver disease was occurring due to obesity. The ALT test is usually used for heavy drinkers and the fact that these tests are being done on young teens due to obesity is appalling but a disappointing a reality.

What are the symptoms off those who have a liver disorder?