Aurora magazine

The human papilloma virus is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease. It has forty variations and affects both male and female genitalia, as well as mouth and throat. Despite being transmitted through sexual contact, it causes different consequences from the classic sexually transmitted diseases. The other side is the worst possible cervical cancer, which often remain asymptomatic until it is late.

The virus affects 1 in 2 at least once in life. Most often it remains asymptomatic and in 90% of cases the immune system destroys it within 2 years. Sometimes the virus evolves and causes genital warts, recognizable thanks to regular medical checks. They are contagious and annoying if left untreated, but relatively harmless. Other times, however, the virus causes a tumor. The most common type of cancer papillomavirus is cervical, but also were identified cancers of the vulva, anus and throat.

As sexually transmitted disease, the most common of the papilloma virus transmission method is vaginal intercourse. However, it is also transmitted through anal intercourse, oral sex and contact between the genitals, both heterosexual and homosexual partners. Most of the time the virus remains active and asymptomatic for years, raising the risk of infection to unsuspecting partners.
Currently it lacks an analysis for the papilloma virus that works for both sexes. There are tests to screen for cervical cancer, but lack those for mouth or throat. In any case, doctors advise sexually active women to perform a Pap test every two years. It is a sampling of cervical cells, to be analyzed to identify any anomalies.

There are no specific treatments for the papilloma virus, but only for diseases caused by it. The best route is the vaccine, effective both on the man on the woman against the most common types of papilloma virus. The best thing would be to administer them before starting to have sex. To those who are sexually active, doctors recommend the use of condoms to reduce the risk.

Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic disease that affects about 1 baby in Italy about 2,500. A trigger disease is a defect in the CFTR gene, which in our country would be present in 1 in 25. For each pregnancy, a pair of carriers has a 25% chance of having an affected paper.

There are various levels of disease severity, which may vary from person to person, depending on age of diagnosis and the type of CFTR gene mutation. Cystic fibrosis alters the secretions of the organs, making them more dense and less fluid. This damages the organs and causes gradually the loss of functionality. The most affected organs are the lungs and bronchi: the mucus stagnates in them, which causes more and more serious infections and inflammations. With time, the accumulation of disorders causes the body insufficiency.

Cystic fibrosis also affects other organs, in addition to those of the respiratory system. Seriously harms the pancreas, responsible for the reversal of the enzymes. The malfunctioning of the pancreas leads to digestive problems, malabsorption of nutrients and consequent growth problems. Often pancreatic problems evolve into a form of diabetes, with all the additional problems that arise. In addition, the bad functioning of CFTR can damage the intestine, liver and the vas deferens in men.

One of the major symptoms leading to the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis is salty sweat, caused by abnormally high levels of chlorine. Sick children also suffer from persistent cough, shortness of breath, frequent lung infections and failure to gain weight. In these cases it is provided with suitable DNA testing and analysis, for the presence of the disease.

For now lacking real cure against cystic fibrosis. There are treatments for the symptoms and, in case of early diagnosis, to slow the progress of the disease. Compared to 50 years ago, patients enjoy a higher quality of life and have higher growth prospects. Once a child with cystic fibrosis was struggling to get to school age, while the average today is around 40 years. The road to finding a cure is still long, but scientific research is making big steps forward.

High blood pressure is a condition that causes an increase in blood pressure in the arteries. It affects about 30% of the adult population and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

There are three types of blood pressure: systolic hypertension, when it only raises the maximum pressure; diastolic blood pressure, when you raise the minimum pressure; systolic and diastolic blood pressure, when both the minimum and maximum exceed the average values. The systolic pressure is spread mainly among the elderly, as it is mainly the result of aging. On the contrary, the diastolic blood pressure affects mainly the younger subjects. In all these cases, it is good early identification of the disorder and apply the right treatment, which will also change based on possible causes of hypertension.

95% of cases of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or without a cause can be immediately identified as a pre-existing disease. This type of hypertension is the result of a set of environmental and genetic factors, that alter the mechanisms that control the pressure. Poor eating habits, smoking and substance abuse increase the risk of incurring the trouble, especially in genetically predisposed individuals. Once the pressure levels were altered, it can be controlled only by means of pharmacological treatments.

In 5% of cases are referred to secondary hypertension, caused by a congenital or acquired disease. In these cases, high blood pressure is just one of the symptoms of the disease and it is easy to identify the causes. Wherever possible, just treat the underlying disease that the values ​​normalize.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a disease that causes the progressive death of nerve cells in the spinal cord, the motor neurons. These have the task of transmitting commands from the brain to the muscles, allowing voluntary movements. When for some reason do not work in the right way, it becomes impossible to move independently.

There are three forms of SMA: the most serious is the Type 1, Type 2, and then switches to the Type 3, the mildest. SMA Type 1 compisce about half of patients and is often present at birth. The infant shows serious and progressive respiratory insufficiency, which makes it difficult if not impossible selfcontained breathing. In Type 2, the child is able to sit down, but not walk. In many cases shows respiratory complications and other marks. The Type 3 occurs after a few years and, at least during childhood, allows to walk.

At the base of SMA is an anomaly in the SMN1 and SMN2 genes, which causes a deficiency of SMN protein. The protein in question is essential for the survival of motor neurons. Once missing, the motor neurons begin to degenerate in a progressive and irreversible. To manifest, the genetic abnormality must come from both parents.

There is currently no cure for SMA. Research in recent years has, however, clarified several mechanisms, allowing you to make big steps forward in therapies.