Mastoiditis

Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid bone of the skull. The mastoid is located just behind the outside ear. Some symptoms would include: hearing loss, headaches, redness of the ear, swelling or redness behind the ear, drainage from the ear, fever and ear pain or discomfort. Mastoiditis is sometimes caused by a middle ear infection. The infection that is in the ear may spread from the ear to the mastoid bone of the skull. The masoid bone would then fill with infected materials and it may deteriorate. Mastoiditis affects children the most. Mastoiditis was one of the leading causes of death before medicine was available. It is uncommon and less dangerous now. Some tests that are ran to determine Mastoiditis would be: CT scan of the ear, head CT scan, and Skull x-ray. The infection is hard to treat because medicines do not reach deep enough to the mastoid bone. It sometimes takes repeated or long-term treatment. Mastoiditis is treated with an injection of antibiotics, then taking antibiotics by the mouth. If this does not work, Surgery to take out part of the bone and drain the mastoid. Because this is hard to treat, it may come back in time.

A.D.A.M., inc. (2010, March 11). Mastoiditis. Retrieved from http://health.google.com/health/ref/Mastoiditis

Welleschik, B. (2009, September 11). Mastoiditis. Retrieved from http://common.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mastoiditis1.jpg

Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome is defined as a neurological disorder that is characterized by tics. Tics are involuntary, rapid, and sudden movements or vocalizations that occur repeatedly. Tourette Syndrome have both multiple motors and vocal tics that happen at different times. Tics occur many times, at random times, throughout the day, almost everyday. This typically occurs for more than one year. Tics can come and go for weeks or sometimes even months at a time. This all happens before the age of 18. Tourette Syndrome has been researched for years, and it is still an ongoing process. Scientists believe that it has to do with an abnormal metabolism of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. It is genetically transmitted. Parents with the gene of Tourette Syndrome have a 50% chance of giving that gene to the child. Females that have the gene of Tourette Syndrome have a 70% chance while the males have a 99% chance of showing signs of this specific syndrome. Persons with this syndrome may have connections to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Other disabilities could possibly include Disinhibition (Difficulty with Impulse Control), Dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and several sleeping disorders.

Peiss, Raenna (n.d.). The Facts About Tourette Syndrome. Retrieved February 2, 2010 from http://tourette13.tripod.com/

Jankovic (2007). Jankovic NEJM Article on Tourette's. Retrieved February 2, 2010 from http://tourettenowwhat.tripod.com/jankovicNEJM.htm