Diamond Speight

Neurofibromatosis/ NF

Is also known as NF is a genetically inherited disease which the nerve tissue grows tumors that may cause serious damage by compressing nerves and other tissues.

The Cause.

The cause of neurofibromatosis is a genetically inherited disease. It affects the development of the nerves cell tissues.

Target Population

It affects 1 in every 45,000 people, 100,00 people have it in America. Anyone can get it sense it’s formed by genetics.

How it affects the CNS. NF affects the development of the nerve cell

tissues. Causing numerous tumors that develop on the nerve. The tumors can be harmless, but in some cases the tumors may become related to cancer cells and you can die, but it’s not common that you do.

Symptoms

Flat, light brown spots on the skin Freckling in the armpits or groin area Nerve-related pain Uncoordinated walking Weakness of the muscles of the face Dizziness

Prognosis

In some case, neurofibromatosis is mild not very harmful. But the damage to nearby vital structures, such as other cranial nerves and the brain stem, can be life-threatening. Most individuals will have significant pain. In some extreme cases the pain will be severe and disabling.

Cure?

There is no cure for the disease, but you can get them surgically removed. And if pain starts to occur then you can take pain medication.

Joseph Merrick

Also known as elephant man. He had a very severe case of NF. He had a tumor that gave him distorted features in his face. He lived in a London hospital. Merrick left school at 13, and had difficulty finding employment. Rejected by his father and stepmother, he left home, In late 1879, aged 17, Merrick entered the Leicester Union workhouse. He was so distorted and unrecognizable that a showman started to exhibit home and show him off. He stayed at the hospital the remainder of his life. He died April 1890 at the age of 27. Doctors say he dies from Asphyxia which is where is a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body that arises from being unable to breathe normally. When doctors dissected the body he had a dislocated neck because he had to sleep sitting up because of the weight of his head.

Joseph Merrick

Organizations Children's Tumor Foundation 95 Pine Street

16th FloorNew York, NY   10005info@ctf.orghttp://www.ctf.org Tel: 800-323-7938 212-344-6633Fax: 212-747-0004

Acoustic Neuroma Association600 Peachtree ParkwaySuite 108Cumming, GA   30041info@anausa.orghttp://www.anausa.org Tel: 770-205-8211 877-200-8211Fax: 770-205-0239/877-202-0239

Neurofibromatosis, Inc.Post Office Box 66884Chicago, IL   60666admin@nfnetwork.orghttp://www.nfnetwork.org/ Tel: 630-627-1115 800-942-6825

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurofibromatosis/org_neurofibromatosis.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurofibromatosis

http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/aches/nf.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neurofibromatosis.html