Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Psychological trauma
Traumatic incidents, which are usually unexpected and uncontrollable, create psychological trauma. They are events where the individual’s life or another person’s life is in danger, or their safety is severely compromised. Examples would include serious injury, natural disaster, school violence, childhood sexual or physical abuse, torture, rape, or watching a parent experience violence. Individuals who…
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Thalidomide and thalidomide syndrome
Thalidomide was among the first drugs identified as a teratogen, a chemical agent that can cross the placenta and cause congenital malformations to the developing embryo and fetus. Effective as a sedative and a tranquilizer, thalidomide had positive effects on the mother but devastating consequences for the embryo.
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Thalassemia major
Thalassemia is a blood disorder of genetic origin that results from the interaction of thalassemia genes and those genes associated with abnormal hemoglobins. Heterozygous thalassemia or thalassemia minor is the less serious form of the disorder and is generally without symptoms. Homozygous thalassemia or thalassemia major is the more serious form of the disorder and…
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Tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency
Deficiency in tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a rare genetic disorder due to a defect in metabolism of amino acids. BH4 impairs the metabolism of enzymes resulting in hyper-phenylalanimia and a defect of neurotransmitter synthesis. Clinical manifestations are similar and usually indistinguishable from classic phenylketonuria (PKU). In most cases of BH4, progressive neurological symptoms appear between the…
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Tethered spinal cord syndrome
Tethered spinal cord syndrome occurs when the spinal cord does not hang freely in the spinal canal but instead is attached at the coccyx. It has a variety of identifying characteristics, including external manifestations such as lipomas or fatty tumors, skin tags, sacral dimple, benign tumors composed of blood vessels, excessive growth of hair in…
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Stimulant abuse
Stimulant abuse can include a broad category of substances from amphetamines to caffeine that are taken to increase mental activity, offset drowsiness and fatigue, improve athletic performance, curb appetite, and reduce symptoms of depression. Amphetamines and their derivatives are chemically produced central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that are also commonly used for the treatment of…
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Stickler syndrome
Stickler syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that affects vision, hearing, joints, craniofacies, and the heart. This progressive condition is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and is estimated to affect 1 in 10,000 people, although it is one of the rarest to be diagnosed.
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Steroid abuse
Anabolic-androgenic steroids, better known as simply anabolic steroids, are artificial or synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone, the male sex hormone. Anabolic steroids are used medicinally to help rebuild tissues that have become weak because of serious injury, illness, or continuing infections. They are also used to treat some types of anemia, to…
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Steinert myotonic dystrophy syndrome
Steinert myotonic dystrophy is also known as myotonic dystrophy. It is transmitted via an autosomal dominant in¬ heritance and is the most common form of muscle disease. It is a multisystem disease typically affecting other tissues as well as skeletal and smooth muscles. This disorder can affect the eyes, heart, endocrine system, and central nervous…
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Congenital spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia
Congenital spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (SED) is a rare inherited disorder transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner. This disorder is typified by a growth deficiency before birth; it is associated with spinal malformations and abnormalities of the eyes. As the individual ages, the” growth deficiency usually results in short stature (dwarfism). SED congenita may also be referred…
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