Can children have PTSD?

Children can have PTSD too. They may have symptoms described above or other symptoms depending on how old they are. As children get older, their symptoms are more like those of adults. Here are some examples of PTSD symptoms in children:

• Children under 6 may get upset if their parents are not close by, have trouble sleeping, or act out the trauma through play.
• Children age 7 to 11 may also act out the trauma through play, drawings, or stories. Some have nightmares or become more irritable or aggressive. They may also want to avoid school or have trouble with schoolwork or friends.
• Children age 12 to 18 have symptoms more similar to adults: depression, anxiety, withdrawal, or reckless behavior like substance abuse or running away.

People in general with PTSD may also have other problems,   These may include:

• Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
• Depression or anxiety
• Drinking or drug problems
• Physical symptoms or chronic pain
• Employment problems
• Relationship problems, including divorce

What helps? Research shows that high levels of social support after the war or event the person has gone through were important for those women  and men Veterans including those not veterans.

What can you do to find help?

If you are having a hard time dealing with your wartime memories, there are a number of things that you can do to help yourself. There are also ways you can seek help from others.

• Do things to feel strong and safe in other parts of your life, like exercising, eating well, and volunteering.
• Talk to a friend who has been through the war or other hard times. A good friend who understands and cares is often the best medicine.
• Join a support group. It can help to be a part of a group. Some groups focus on war memories. Others focus on the here and now. Still others focus on learning ways to relax.
• Talk to a professional. It may be helpful to talk to someone who is trained and experienced in dealing with aging and PTSD. There are proven, effective treatments for PTSD. Your doctor can refer you to a therapist. You can also find information on PTSD treatment within VA at: VA PTSD Treatment Programs.
• Tell your family and friends about LOSS and PTSD. It can be very helpful to talk to others as you try to place your long-ago wartime experiences into perspective. It may also be helpful for others to know what may be the source of your anger, nerves, sleep, or memory problems. Then they can provide more support.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most of all, try not to feel bad or embarrassed to ask for help. Asking for help when you need it is a sign of wisdom and strength.

Don’t let PTSD get in the way of your life, hurt your relationships, or cause problems at work or school.

PTSD treatment can help.

Learn what treatment is like to help you make choices about what’s best for you.

If you suspect that you or a loved one has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it’s important to seek help right away. The sooner PTSD is confronted, the easier it is to overcome. If you’re reluctant to seek help, keep in mind that PTSD is not a sign of weakness, and the only way to overcome it is to confront what happened to you and learn to accept it as a part of your past.

TYPES OF TREATMENT:

• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD and trauma involves carefully and gradually “exposing” yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma. Therapy also involves identifying upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event–particularly thoughts that are distorted and irrational—and replacing them with more balanced picture.
• Family therapy. Since PTSD affects both you and those close to you, family therapy can be especially productive. Family therapy can help your loved ones understand what you’re going through. It can also help everyone in the family communicate better and work through relationship problems caused by PTSD symptoms.
• Medication is sometimes prescribed to people with PTSD to relieve secondary symptoms of depression or anxiety. Antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft are the medications most commonly used for PTSD. While antidepressants may help you feel less sad, worried, or on edge, they do not treat the causes of PTSD.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds. Eye movements and other bilateral forms of stimulation are thought to work by “unfreezing” the brain’s information processing system, which is interrupted in times of extreme stress.

When looking for a therapist for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seek out mental health professionals who specialize in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. You can start by asking your doctor if he or she can provide a referral to therapists with experience treating trauma. You may also want to ask other trauma survivors for recommendations, or call a local mental health clinic, psychiatric hospital, or counseling center.

“When you serve in the military, you may be exposed to different traumatic events than civilians. The war you served in may also affect your risk because of the types of trauma that were common. War zone deployment, training accidents and military sexual trauma (or, MST) may lead to PTSD. Learn how many Veterans have PTSD.

When you are in the military, you may see combat. You may have been on missions that exposed you to horrible and life-threatening experiences. Or you may have experienced a serious training accident. These types of events can lead to PTSD.

PTSD is slightly more common among Veterans than civilians. At some point in their life, 7 out of every 100 Veterans (or 7%) will have PTSD. In the general population, 6 out of every 100 adults (or 6%) will have PTSD in their lifetime. PTSD is also more common among female Veterans (13 out of 100, or 13%) versus male Veterans (6 out of 100, or 6%).

Research shows that deployment increases risk of PTSD. In some studies, PTSD is 3 times more likely among Veterans who deployed compared to those who did not (of the same service era). Some factors in a combat situation may contribute to PTSD and other mental health problems, including military occupation or specialty, the politics around the war, where the war is fought, and the type of enemy faced.

Another cause of PTSD in the military can be military sexual trauma (MST). This is any sexual harassment or sexual assault that occurs while you are in the military. MST can happen to anyone and can occur during peacetime, training or war.

Not all Veterans use VA health care, and we know that PTSD is more common among those who do. One study found that among Veterans using VA care, 23 out of every 100 (or 23%) had PTSD at some point in their lives, compared to 7 out of every 100 (or 7%) of Veterans who do not use VA for health care.

An annual report from VA also offers information about PTSD in Veterans using VA care. Of the 6 million Veterans served in fiscal year 2021, about 10 out of every 100 men (or 10%) and 19 out of every 100 women (or 19%) were diagnosed with PTSD.”

U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp)

Many risk factors revolve around the nature of the traumatic event itself!

Traumatic events are more likely to cause PTSD when they involve a severe threat to your life or personal safety: the more extreme and prolonged the threat, the greater the risk of developing PTSD in response. Intentional, human-inflicted harm—such as rape, assault, and torture— also tends to be more traumatic than “acts of God” or more impersonal accidents and disasters. The extent to which the traumatic event was unexpected, uncontrollable, and inescapable also plays a role.

PTSD can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of weakness. A number of factors can increase the chance that someone will have PTSD, many of which are not under that person’s control. For example, having a very intense or long-lasting traumatic event or getting injured during the event can make it more likely that a person will develop PTSD. PTSD is also more common after certain types of trauma, like combat and sexual assault.

Personal factors, like previous traumatic exposure, age, and gender, can affect whether or not a person will develop PTSD. What happens after the traumatic event is also important. Stress can make PTSD more likely, while social support can make it less likely.

What factors affect Veterans who develops PTSD?

– PTSD can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of weakness. A number of factors can increase the chance that someone will have PTSD, many of which are not under that person’s control. For example, having a very intense or long-lasting traumatic event or getting injured during the event can make it more likely that a person will develop PTSD.

PTSD is also more common after certain types of trauma, like combat and sexual assault.

– Personal factors, like previous traumatic exposure, age, and gender, can affect whether or not a person will develop PTSD. What happens after the traumatic event is also important. Stress can make PTSD more likely, while social support can make it less likely.

– Women changing roles in our military

A growing number of women are serving in the US military. In 2008, 11 of every 100 Veterans (or 11%) from the Afghanistan and Iraq military operations were women. These numbers are expected to keep rising. In fact, women are the fastest growing group of Veterans.

– Know this, MALES experience more traumatic events on average than do females, yet females are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), according to a review of 25 years of research reported in the November issue of Psychological Bulletin, published by the American Psychological .

– The lifetime prevalence of PTSD is 10% to 12% in women and 6% to 8% in men. Traumatic events happen to both sexes and can result in the same symptoms.  The differences depend on when the trauma happens, what type of trauma it is, and biological factors unique to women versus men. These things determine whether someone who goes through trauma develops PTSD.

– High-impact trauma is a severe type of trauma likely to lead to PTSD symptoms.

Women are generally exposed to more high-impact trauma than men are based on reports. One of the traumas most likely to lead to PTSD is sexual assault. Know one in four women are raped by age 44; 8% of men are.

Women are also more likely to experience sexual abuse at an earlier stage of life. The earlier a person experiences trauma, the more it impacts personality and brain development.

Women are also more likely to experience other high-impact traumas, like domestic violence.

One of the reasons these types of trauma are more likely to lead to PTSD is because feelings of shame and self-blame often accompany sexual and interpersonal violence. While men also experience traumas like sexual assault, abuse, and domestic violence, they do so at a lower rate.

– Combat trauma, which PTSD is most associated with, affects men much more often than it does women. It also generally produces less shame and other negative feelings about oneself. The same is true for car accidents and natural disasters.

What stressors do women face in the military?

Here are some stressful things that women have experienced when in the military or might have gone through while deployed:

-Combat Missions even though more men have experienced combat PSTD in research some women have as well.

-Military Sexual Trauma (MST). A number of women and men who have served in the military experience MST. MST includes any sexual activity where you are involved against your will, such as insulting sexual comments, unwanted sexual advances, or even sexual assault.

-Feeling Alone. In tough military missions, feeling that you are part of a group is important.

-Worrying About Family. It can be very hard for women with young children or elderly parents to be deployed for long periods of time. Service members are often given little notice. They may have to be away from home for a year or longer. Some women feel like they are “putting their lives on hold.”

Because of these stressors, many women who return from deployment have trouble moving back into civilian life. While in time most will adjust, a small number will go on to have more serious problems like PTSD.

How many women Veterans have PTSD?

Among women Veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, almost 20 of every 100 (or 20%) have been diagnosed with PTSD. We also know the rates of PTSD in women Vietnam Veterans. An important study found that about 27 of every 100 female Vietnam Veterans (or 27%) suffered from PTSD sometime during their postwar lives.

To compare, in men who served in Vietnam, about 31 of every 100 (or 31%) developed PTSD in their lifetime.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD for anyone experiencing this disorder:

PTSD symptoms usually start soon after the traumatic event, but they may not appear until months or years later. They also may come and go over many years. If the symptoms last longer than four weeks, cause you great distress, or interfere with your work or home life, you might have PTSD.

There are four types of symptoms of PTSD, but they may not be exactly the same for everyone. Each person experiences symptoms in their own way.

1. Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms). You may have bad memories or nightmares. You even may feel like you’re going through the event again. This is called a flashback.
2. Avoiding situations that remind you of the event. You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event.
3. Having more negative beliefs and feelings. The way you think about yourself and others may change because of the trauma. You may feel guilt or shame. Or, you may not be interested in activities you used to enjoy. You may feel that the world is dangerous and you can’t trust anyone. You might be numb, or find it hard to feel happy.
4. Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal). You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. Or, you may have trouble concentrating or sleeping. You might suddenly get angry or irritable, startle easily, or act in unhealthy ways (like smoking, using drugs and alcohol, or driving recklessly.

“Doctors will diagnose cancers of the brain or central nervous system in about 25,400 people in the United States in 2024, according to the National Cancer Institute. These cancers make up a portion of the more than 94,000 brain tumors (including benign tumors) that will occur in this country in 2024.

There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors. The tumors result from the abnormal growth of cells and may be either benign or malignant. Benign brain and spinal cord tumors grow and press on nearby areas of the brain. Normally, they rarely spread into other tissues.

Malignant brain and spinal cord tumors are likely to grow quickly and spread into other brain tissue.

Unfortunately, when a tumor grows into or presses on an area of the brain, it may stop that part of the brain from functioning normally. Both benign and malignant brain tumors produce signs and symptoms and need treatment.

Tumors that start in the brain are called primary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors may spread to other parts of the brain or to the spine. But they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Many tumors found in the brain actually started somewhere else in the body and spread to the brain later after found intially with cancer somewhere else in the body. These are called metastatic brain tumors, and they are more common than primary brain tumors. In fact, about half of metastatic brain tumors are from lung cancer. Even after these tumors spread to the brain, they are still called lung cancer, or wherever they originated.”.

American Association of Cancer Research (https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/may-is-brain-cancer-awareness-month/)

May is Brain Cancer and Brain Tumor Awareness Month (BTAM), a time to raise awareness about brain tumors and educate the community.

Doctors will diagnose cancers of the brain or central nervous system in about 25,400 people in the United States in 2024, according to the National Cancer Institute. All brain and spine tumors, collectively called central nervous system (CNS) tumors cover over 130 different CNS tumor types. These cancers make up a portion of the more than 94,000 brain tumors alone (including benign tumors) that will occur in this country in 2024.

It can be hard for people with CNS tumors to find accurate information, specialized support, and expert care. You can help by spreading awareness and sharing educational materials like through blogs live striveforgoodhealth.com and other sites in the internet.

There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors. The tumors result from the abnormal growth of cells and may be either benign or malignant. Benign brain and spinal cord tumors grow and press on nearby areas of the brain. Normally, they rarely spread into other tissues; the brain tumors that are diagnosed malignant rapidly spread only in brain tissue and remember when your a fetus the brain develops that the spinal cord grows out of made of brain tissue so spreading can go in those 2 areas.  A brain tumor malignant can form in the brain or other parts of the central nervous system (CNS), being the spine or cranial nerves. So remember, Malignant tumors in the brain and spinal cord only grow quickly spreading only into the brain and (CNS) spinal cord tissue.  The positive note is the tumor stays in those areas but unfortunately it spreads rapidly for most brain tumors.  Survival in a brain tumor especially malignant is a survival rate of 5 years or less but there are those cases that have lasted longer but on average its 5 years or less and this would include a benign tumor not operable but it is suppose to grow slower than a malignant tumor.  Malignant brain tumors need to be treated as soon as possible to prolong life.

Tumor grading:

Tumor grade has long been a way to define the aggressiveness of a tumor, particularly for malignant brain tumors such as glioma but also for non-malignant (benign) brain tumors including meningioma.

Traditionally, tumors have been classified as grade 1 to 4 based on histology (cells as viewed under a microscope) and molecular markers. Grade 1 tumors occur primarily in children and represent a type separate from grade 2-4 (seen primarily in adults). Grade 2 tumors are considered low grade, but some can be aggressive. Grade 3 and 4 tumors are defined as high grade.

What are molecular markers?

Not all brain tumors are the same. Some tumors have differences in the genetic or molecular makeup of the cells. These differences are called molecular markers, or biomarkers. Molecular markers are becoming increasingly important for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. For example, some molecular markers help determine how aggressive a tumor may be. Others determine how responsive a tumor will be to treatment.

Some common molecular markers include the following:

• IDH1 and IDH2
• MGMT
• 1p/19q co-deletion
• BRAF
• EGFR
• TP53
• ATRX
• TERT
• PTEN
• NTRK
• FGFR

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) included two molecular markers into the CNS tumor classification system that improved accuracy of glioma diagnosis. In 2021 WHO again updated CNS tumor classification, incorporating new knowledge gained from additional molecular markers and new diagnostic techniques. Tumors are now listed as “CNS grade 1-4” with presence or absence of IDH mutation, a key factor in glioma classification.

Basis Review of Brain & the CNS with how it functions:

The brain and spinal cord together form the central nervous system (CNS), like we said in knowing this the brain is a complex organ made up of nerves and connective tissue. Nerves in the brain and spinal cord transmit messages throughout the body. The CNS directs and regulates all of the body’s functions. The brain tumor can definitely mess up a lot of these functions depending on where the tumor is located since the brain is broken up in lobes to do different functions that is what causes the wide signs and symptoms of dysfunctions that occur in time with a brain tumor especially that is metastatic.

The CNS is the core of our existence. It controls:

> Personality: thoughts, memory, intelligence, speech, understanding and emotions

> Senses: vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch

> Basic body functions: breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure

> How we function in our environment: movement, balance and coordination

The brain is made up of multiple parts, and each part of the brain is responsible for different body functions. Therefore, brain tumor symptoms, and potential treatment options, depend a great deal on where the tumor is located.

Learning about the normal workings of the brain and spine will help you understand the symptoms of brain tumors, how they are diagnosed and how they are treated.

Major parts of the brain: There are three major parts of the brain:

1. Cerebrum: uses information from senses to tell our body how to respond. It controls reading, thinking, learning, movement, speech, vision, personality and emotions.

2. Cerebellum: controls balance for standing, walking and other motion.

3. Brain stem: connects the brain with the spinal cord and controls basic body functions such as breathing, sleeping, body temperature and blood pressure.

Lobes of the brain

Different lobes of the brain control different functions. The frontal lobe of the brain helps you think and reason. The temporal lobe contains the neural pathways for hearing and vision, as well as behavior and emotions. Having a tumor, or treatment, in one of these lobes could affect the lobe’s specific functions. Additionally, since the brain has areas that connect, it is possible for a brain tumor to impact a function of the brain where the tumor is not specifically located.

Other common brain tumor locations include the meninges (a layer of tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord), skull base (the bottom of the skull), spinal cord, pituitary tumor, and cranial nerves.

Brain tumor statistics:

Brain tumors are reported in people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders. Over 1.3 million Americans are living with a primary or secondary/metastatic brain tumor today.  Primary tumors originate in the brain, and the most common types are meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and gliomas. Metastatic, or secondary brain tumors arise from outside the brain in another organ such as the breast or lung and spread to other areas of the brain. These are the most common brain tumors.

Unless otherwise specified, the follow statistics come from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States Annual Report:

• Approximately 90,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor every year.   
• Brain and other CNS tumors are the fifth most common cancer. 
• Over 1 million people are living with a diagnosis of a primary brain tumor. 
• There are more than 100 different types of primary brain and CNS tumors. 
• Nearly one-third (27.9 percent) of brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors are malignant. 
• Brain and CNS tumors are the most common cancer diagnosed in children aged 0-14. 
• More than 28,000 children in the United States are currently diagnosed with a brain tumor. 
• Approximately 3,400 children (aged 0-14) are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year. 
• Approximately 12,800 adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39) are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year. 
• The incidence rate for brain and CNS tumors is highest among those aged 85 years and older. 
• Each year, approximately 17,200 people die from a malignant brain tumor. Survival after diagnosis with a primary brain tumor varies significantly by age, race, geographical location, tumor type, tumor location, and molecular markers. 

Risk Factors for Brain Tumors:

Genetic and hereditary risk factors

Inherited traits are carried in genes. Each individual has two copies of each gene, one from each parent. Genes often contain small changes. Sometimes these changes do not cause any problems, but sometimes these changes are more serious and can interfere with the way the gene is supposed to work.

There are a few rare, inherited genetic syndromes that are associated with brain tumors., including Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1 gene), Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2 gene), Turcot syndrome (APC gene), Gorlin syndrome (PTCH gene), Tuberous Sclerosis (TSC1 and TSC2 genes) and Li-Fraumeni syndrome (TP53 gene).

Although 5-10% of persons with brain tumors have a family history of a brain tumor, the vast majority of CNS tumors appear not to be a part of inherited genetic syndromes.  A number of studies have identified genetic variants that may be associated with an increased risk of certain brain tumors including glioma and meningioma.  Study results from 2017 show that while there are some hereditary similarities in glioma tumors between family members, there is not a statistically significant difference between families having tumors with similar hereditary features as compared to families with tumors having different hereditary features. Also, in families with more than one glioma, the tumors tend to have the same molecular markers. This study continues to collect and analyze data.

Environmental risk factors:

Other than family history, the most consistently identified risk factor associated with brain tumor development is therapeutic or high-dose ionizing radiation.  With regard to medical diagnostic radiation exposure, small increases in brain tumor risks have been reported.  Although certain brain scans and radiation therapy used to treat brain tumors use ionizing radiation, the risk of developing a new brain tumor due to these causes is very low. Occupational exposures among medical radiation workers have been associated with approximately twice the risk of brain cancer mortality, though data on the level of radiation exposure were not available.

With respect to the impact of non-ionizing radiation from cell phones, the association between this exposure and brain cancer has been the subject of much research. Radio frequency fields were classified by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2011 as a possible carcinogen following the observation of increased glioma risk among heavy cell phone users: the topic remains under study at present.

Industrial chemicals have long been suspected as a cause of glioma due to their ability to cross the blood–brain barrier.  The blood-brain barrier that the human brain has protects the brain from toxins and pathogens. Despite numerous chemical, environmental, and occupational exposures having been explored in epidemiological studies of glioma, results have been inconsistent for most factors. Although not precisely defined, an association between exogenous hormones (e.g., oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapies) and meningioma risk is often reported and thus patients might discuss this topic with their health care providers.

“Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of hereditary connective tissue disorders that manifests clinically with skin hyperelasticity, hypermobility of joints, atrophic scarring, and fragility of blood vessels. It is largely diagnosed clinically, although identifying the gene encoding the collagen or proteins interacting with it is necessary to identify the type of EDS. Identifying the type of EDS to guide management and counseling is important. In 2017, a new international classification of EDS was proposed with 13 different variants. This syndrome is heterogeneous and has been classified into six types (classical, vascular, hypermobile, arthrochalasis, kyphoscoliotic, and dermatosparaxis), with the causative collagen pathology being different for each type.

The pathophysiology of most Ehlers Danlos syndrome subtypes involves heritable mutations in collagen synthesis and/or processing. The inheritance pattern of these mutations is variable, including autosomal dominant and recessive inheritance involving different mutations; however, it is worth noting that there are reports of spontaneous mutations causing identical genotypes and phenotypes. The collagen affected by these mutations is integral to every body system, from the skin to the integrity of the vasculature, and as such, the symptoms of the disease can be variable and widespread.

The skin is usually white in color and soft to the touch, and underlying vessels can become apparent. The skin has a doughy feel and is easily hyperextensible. It is easily stretchable and immediately returns to its original state after release. Molluscoid pseudotumors are small, spongy outgrowths observed over scars and pressure points. They are commonly found in patients with type I EDS.

Smaller, deep, and movable nodules are often palpable in the subcutaneous tissue. They can be observed in the arms and over the tibia. Radiography may reveal calcification. The fragility of dermal skin with frequent bruises and lacerations is common. The joints are hyperextensible, but the degree of involvement varies. The digital joints are most commonly influenced, but alterations can be present in all the joints.”

National Library of Medicine-NIH (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549814/)

each pt varies in intensity

What is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues — primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. Connective tissue is a complex mixture of proteins and other substances that provide strength and elasticity to the underlying structures in your body.

People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome usually have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin. This can become a problem if you have a wound that requires stitches, because the skin often isn’t strong enough to hold them.

A more severe form of the disorder, called vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, can cause the walls of your blood vessels, intestines or uterus to rupture. Because vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can have serious potential complications in pregnancy, you may want to talk to a genetic counselor before starting a family.

Symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome:

There are many different types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, but the most common signs and symptoms include:

• Overly flexible joints. Because the connective tissue that holds joints together is looser, your joints can move far past the normal range of motion. Joint pain and dislocations are common.
• Stretchy skin. Weakened connective tissue allows your skin to stretch much more than usual. You may be able to pull a pinch of skin up away from your flesh, but it will snap right back into place when you let go. Your skin might also feel exceptionally soft and velvety.
• Fragile skin. Damaged skin often doesn’t heal well. For example, the stitches used to close a wound often will tear out and leave a gaping scar. These scars may look thin and crinkly.

Symptom severity can vary from person to person and depends on the specific type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that you have. The most common type is called hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

People who have vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome often share distinctive facial features of a thin nose, thin upper lip, small earlobes and prominent eyes. They also have thin, translucent skin that bruises very easily. In fair-skinned people, the underlying blood vessels are very visible through the skin.

Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can weaken your heart’s largest artery (aorta), as well as the arteries to other regions of your body. A rupture of any of these larger blood vessels can be fatal. The vascular type can also weaken the walls of the uterus or large intestines — which also may rupture.

Causes:

Different types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are associated with a variety of genetic causes, some of which are inherited and passed on from parent to child. If you have the most common form, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, there’s a 50% chance that you’ll pass on the gene to each of your children.

Complications:

Complications depend on the types of signs and symptoms you have. For example, overly flexible joints can result in joint dislocations and early-onset arthritis. Fragile skin may develop prominent scarring.

People who have vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are at risk of often fatal ruptures of major blood vessels. Some organs, such as the uterus and intestines, also may rupture. Pregnancy can increase the risk of a rupture in the uterus.

Prevention:

If you have a personal or family history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and you’re thinking about starting a family, you may benefit from talking to a genetic counselor — a health care professional trained to assess the risk of inherited disorders. Genetic counseling can help you understand the inheritance pattern of the type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that affects you and the risks it poses for your children.

Diagnosing Ehlers-Danlos syndrome:

Diagnosing rests on the criteria, physical examination, and quite often an extensive detailed family history by the M.D.  Extremely loose joints, fragile or stretchy skin, and a family history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are often enough to make a diagnosis. Genetic tests on a sample of your blood can confirm the diagnosis in rarer forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and help rule out other problems. For hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, the most common form, there is no genetic testing available.

Treatments:

Unfortunately there is no cure for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, but treatment can help you manage your symptoms and prevent further complications through the following:

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe drugs to help you control:

• Pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — are the mainstay of treatment. Stronger medications are only prescribed for acute injuries.
• Blood pressure. Because blood vessels are more fragile in some types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, your doctor may want to reduce the stress on the vessels by keeping your blood pressure low.

Physical therapy

Joints with weak connective tissue are more likely to dislocate. Exercises to strengthen the muscles and stabilize joints are the primary treatment for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Your physical therapist might also recommend specific braces to help prevent joint dislocations.

Surgical and other procedures

Surgery may be recommended to repair joints damaged by repeated dislocations, or to repair ruptured areas in blood vessels and organs. However, the surgical wounds may not heal properly because the stitches may tear through the fragile tissues.

“Diagnosing lupus is difficult because signs and symptoms vary considerably from person to person. Signs and symptoms of lupus may change over time and overlap with those of many other disorders.

No one test can diagnose lupus.

Treatment for lupus depends on your signs and symptoms. Determining whether you should be treated and what medications to use requires a careful discussion of the benefits and risks with your doctor.

As your signs and symptoms flare and subside, you and your doctor may find that you’ll need to change medications or dosages.

What you can do is before your appointment, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions:

• When did your symptoms begin? Do they come and go?
• Does anything seem to trigger your symptoms?
• Have your parents or siblings had lupus or other autoimmune disorders?”

MAYO CLINIC (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20365790)

Diagnosing Lupus:

Diagnosing lupus is difficult because signs and symptoms vary considerably from person to person. Signs and symptoms of lupus may vary over time and overlap with those of many other disorders. No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and physical examination findings leads to the diagnosis.  Tests the MD will order:

Laboratory tests

Blood and urine tests may include:

• Complete blood count. This test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets as well as the amount of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells. Results may indicate you have anemia, which commonly occurs in lupus. A low white blood cell or platelet count may occur in lupus as well.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This blood test determines the rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube in an hour. A faster than normal rate may indicate a systemic disease, such as lupus. The sedimentation rate isn’t specific for any one disease. It may be elevated if you have lupus, another inflammatory condition, cancer or an infection.
• Kidney and liver assessment. Blood tests can assess how well your kidneys and liver are functioning. Lupus can affect these organs.
• Urinalysis. An examination of a sample of your urine may show an increased protein level or red blood cells in the urine, which may occur if lupus has affected your kidneys.
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. A positive test for the presence of these antibodies — produced by your immune system — indicates a stimulated immune system. While most people with lupus have a positive ANA test, most people with a positive ANA do not have lupus. If you test positive for ANA, your doctor may advise more-specific antibody testing.If your doctor suspects that lupus is affecting your lungs or heart, he or she may suggest:
  

• Chest X-ray. An image of your chest may reveal abnormal shadows that suggest fluid or inflammation in your lungs.

• Ultrasound maybe used in where a M.D. orders a Echocardiogram. It’s a a noninvasive ultrasound test that evaluates heart function.This test uses sound waves to produce real-time images of your beating heart. It can check for problems with your valves and other portions of your heart.Lupus can harm your kidneys in many different ways, and treatments can vary, depending on the type of damage that occurs. In some cases, it’s necessary to test a small sample of kidney tissue to determine what the best treatment might be. The sample can be obtained with a needle or through a small incision.
• First see a specialist for Lupus who is more out in knowing what to look for (just like a cardiologist for cardiac problems or endocrinologist for diabetes, etc…) So set up an appointment with a doctor to be examined!

Treatments for Lupus:

1. Biopsy

2. The M. D. will do a physical and determine whether your signs and symptoms your experiencing.  Treatment for lupus depends on your signs and symptoms and the cause for it so treatment varies. The symptoms should be treated as lupus and what medications to use requires a careful discussion of the benefits and risks with your doctor. As your signs and symptoms flare and subside, you and your doctor may find that you’ll need to change medications or dosages.

3.Medications, this could include the following:

a. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).  This could include, over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may be used to treat pain, swelling and fever associated with lupus. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects of NSAIDs include stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.

b. Antimalarial drugs.  Medications commonly used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), also can help control lupus. Side effects can include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye.

c. Corticosteroids  This could include Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids can counter the inflammation of lupus but often produce long-term side effects — including weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy.

d. Immunosuppressants.  These drugs suppress the immune system which may be helpful in serious cases of lupus. Examples include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (CellCept), leflunomide (Arava) and methotrexate (Trexall). Potential side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer. A newer medication, belimumab (Benlysta), also reduces lupus symptoms in some people. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea and fever.Take steps to care for your body if you have lupus. Simple measures can help you prevent lupus flares and, should they occur, better cope with the signs and symptoms you experience.

4. Other treatments could include:

• See your doctor regularly. Having regular checkups instead of only seeing your doctor when your symptoms worsen may help your doctor prevent flare-ups, and can be useful in addressing routine health concerns, such as stress, diet and exercise that can be helpful in preventing lupus complications.
• Get adequate rest. People with lupus often experience persistent fatigue that’s different from normal tiredness and that isn’t necessarily relieved by rest. For that reason, it can be hard to judge when you need to slow down. Get plenty of sleep at night and naps or breaks during the day as needed.
• Be sun smart. Because ultraviolet light can trigger a flare, wear protective clothing — such as a hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants — and use sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 55 every time you go outside.
• Get regular exercise. Exercise can help you recover from a flare, reduce your risk of heart attack, help fight depression and promote general well-being.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and can worsen the effects of lupus on your heart and blood vessels.
• Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Sometimes you may have dietary restrictions, especially if you have high blood pressure, kidney damage or gastrointestinal problems.

Possible complications to Lupus:

• Kidneys. Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, and kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death among people with lupus. Signs and symptoms of kidney problems may include generalized itching, chest pain, nausea, vomiting and leg swelling (edema).
• Brain and central nervous system. If your brain is affected by lupus, you may experience headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, hallucinations, and even strokes or seizures. Many people with lupus experience memory problems and may have difficulty expressing their thoughts.
• Blood and blood vessels. Lupus may lead to blood problems, including anemia and increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting. It can also cause inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).
• Lungs. Having lupus increases your chances of developing an inflammation of the chest cavity lining (pleurisy), which can make breathing painful. You may also be more susceptible to pneumonia.
• Heart. Lupus can cause inflammation of your heart muscle, your arteries or heart membrane (pericarditis). The risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks increases greatly.  Other areas of the body that can be effected by lupus causing problems include:  Infection, Cancer, Bone Tissue Death (avascular necrosis), and Pregnancy complications.

“Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with, and a challenge to treat. Lupus has a range of symptoms, and strikes without warning.

Lupus is a complicated disease that affects different people in different ways. For some, lupus can be mild — for others, it can be life threatening.

Right now, there’s no cure for lupus. The good news is that with the support of your doctors and loved ones, you can learn to manage it.

Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause pain and inflammation in any part of the body.

Around 1.5 million people in the United States are living with lupus.

Lupus can cause a lot of different symptoms that come and go over time.

Living with lupus can be hard, but there’s a lot you can do to manage your symptoms and make your daily life easier.”

Lupus Foundation of America (https://www.lupus.org/understanding-lupus)