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It is a subject that, unfortunately, is extremely close to my heart. My grandmother, who practically raised me while my mom was out working, endured Gaucher Disease until the day she died. As a young person, I didn't know what it was. My grandmother was a proud woman and didn't talk about it. I only knew because my mother explained. After she handed down and I obtained older, I decided I had to understand precisely what it was that took my grandmother. This article provides you with the basic facts about what Gaucher Disease is and what treatments can be obtained.

The very first thing that surprised me to learn was that Gaucher Disease is most typical among folks who are either Jewish or from Eastern or Central Europe. Coming from a Jewish home, it explained too much to me. Yet another thing that i learned that also astonished, and also scared me was that Gaucher Disease can also be inherited, meaning it's passed on from your parents. The chances of inheriting the disease decrease with each generation that the disease itself doesn't show up. In my own family, it really is now 3 generations since, so we're probably pretty safe at this point.

So what is Gaucher Disease? Well, it's really a genetic mutation that effects organs like the liver and spleen. The actual disease is caused by an enzyme deficiency that consequently causes fatty substances to build up in these organs. In my grandmother's case it was in both her liver and her spleen. The condition causes an enlargement of these organs. This explains why my grandmother, who weighed all 80 pounds, looked like she had a basketball in her stomach.

There are, unfortunately, many more symptoms besides an enlarged liver or spleen. Other symptoms include problems with blood clotting, easy bruising, fractures for no apparent reason, and even bleeding when brushing tooth.

Detecting if someone has Gaucher Disease is just a simple matter. A blood test is all that is needed. The enzyme deficiency will show in the liver and spleen. There are three types of Gaucher Disease, but type one is the most frequent and the type that my grandmother experienced.

Fortuitously, we now have come a long way since the 60s, when my grandmother suffered from this illness until she passed away in 1974. Today, there are enzyme replacement therapies which are actually quite effective in treating Gaucher Disease. Also, a great diet, low in saturated fats and meats, high in fruits and vegetable, may also assist in battle this disease.

Those people who are experiencing this illness can in fact live quite a while with it. My grandmother developed this disease very young in life and still lived to be 66 years of age.

If you or a family member is struggling with Gaucher Disease, there is hope. Please visit your physician and have him what treatments are available in your neighborhood.