Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Albinism
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Albinism refers to a group of disorders that are present at birth. It is characterized by a decrease or lack of color in the skin, hair, and eyes.
What is going on in the body?
Albinism refers to a group of genetic defects that cause decreased levels of the pigment, melanin, which forms color in skin, hair, and eyes. Low levels of melanin cause very light skin tone and blond-white hair. The eyes might also be affected and have an iris that is dull-gray to blue or brown. Since melanin protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation from the sun, people with albinism are easily sunburned.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Albinism is an inherited disorder. A person with albinism has received an abnormal gene from his or her parents. Most children with albinism are born to parents with normal melanin production and no symptoms of albinism.
Symptoms & Signs
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Symptoms of albinism may include the following:
While some rare forms of albinism can cause hearing impairments or blood-clotting problems, most people with albinism have normal health. Children with albinism grow and develop normally and reach normal intelligence levels.
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the disease diagnosed?
Albinism is diagnosed using a medical history and complete physical that includes an eye examination.
Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Albinism is an inherited disease and cannot be prevented.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
People with albinism have a much higher risk of skin cancer because they lack a protective pigment in the skin.
What are the risks to others?
Albinism is not contagious and poses no risk to others. Because it is inherited, it can be passed from parents to their children at conception.
Treatment & Monitoring
What are the treatments for the disease?
There is no treatment per se for albinism. People with albinism are advised to avoid excess sun exposure in order to minimize their risk of skin cancer. Large-print books, high-contrast materials, and computers with large letters can help people with visual impairments.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Rarely, a person may have an allergic reaction to a certain sunscreen lotion.
What happens after treatment for the disease?
Albinism is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured.
How is the disease monitored?
Careful skin examination performed by a healthcare provider should be done periodically to check for skin cancer. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
Attribution
Author:Lynn West, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Ballenberg, Sally, BS
Edit Date:02/28/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:07/27/01