Abstract
Factors that influence the existence of heart disease vary, depending on the person and his or her biological tendency to inherit heart disease ("Causes", n.d.). As suggested some individuals are more likely to develop heart disease because it is in their genes and it dependent on the environmental factors that the person is associated with throughout the course of life. Additionally, there are some individuals that are born with heart defects, making their battle with heart disease consistent during the course of their existence. Nonetheless, heart disease can be caused primarily by the lifestyle of the person. For example, individuals that consume too many "fatty foods" and people that smoke excessively or have sedentary lifestyles are more prone to heart disease ("Causes", n.d.). Stress and chemicals within the environment may create the foundation for heart disease to develop as well. Other factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure can impact whether or not the individual develops heart disease, with these health hazards being very destructive due to the fact that they are generally not detected early. Consequently, individuals suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol may develop heart disease without any specific symptoms and may not know that disease is present until they have a heart attack ("Heart", n.d.).

From the Paper
The Elderly and Heart Disease: Men and Women in New York Heart disease occurs when there are abnormalities in the heart and/or blood vessels connected to the heart ("Heart", n.d.). There are five types of heart disease that include: * Coronary Artery Disease: (CAD), most common. Hardening and narrowing of the arteries that prevent proper blood flow to the heart. * Angina: Chest pain when the heart does not get enough blood. Potential for heart attack is high. * Heart Attack: Blockage of arteries or severe loss of blood flowing to the heart for a period of 20 minutes or longer.

Tags:elderly, heart, disease

Abstract
This paper presents a detailed overview of sickle cell disease, an inherited disease of the red blood cells, which is present from birth. The paper begins with a brief discussion of the history of the disease, including its discovery. Next the paper investigates the pathophysiological aspects of the disease, presenting the information in easy-to-understand layman terms. The paper then discusses how sickle cell disease affects sufferers physically. Finally the paper presents and evaluates treatment options.

Outline:
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiological Basics of Sickle Cell Disease
Physical Manifestations of Sickle Cell Disease
Treatment options for Sickle Cell Disease
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Before one can speak in depth on sickle cell disease itself, one must understand the basic pathophysiology which surrounds the condition. Hemoglobin is a protein carried by red cells, which carries oxygen from the lungs for delivery to peripheral tissues. It is composed of two similar proteins, alpha and beta. It is the coordinated action of the alpha and beta globin chains which allow the oxygen transport to occur. These two chains combine to form hemoglobin. During life, except during the very first week of embryonic development, one of the globin chains in an alpha. A developing fetus also has another chain which is a gamma globin; sometimes called non-alpha is present in the fetal circulation. The gamma globin is replaced shortly after birth with the beta, which then chains with the alpha. When two alpha chains combine with two gamma chains, this is called Hemoglobin F, or the common hemoglobin of fetal circulation. Adult hemoglobin, formed of two alpha and beta chains is called Hemoglobin A. If one alpha and one non-alpha chain combine, then this two chain combination is called a dimer and it not functional enough to deliver oxygen to tissues."

Tags:sick, disease, red, blood, cells, genetic, hemoglobin, treatment, patient, doctor, hospital, pathology

Abstract
The paper explains what V glycogen storage disease is and how a person is affected by this disease. The paper also looks at the diagnosis, genetics and treatments available.

Outline:
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Genetics
Treatment
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Type V Glycogen Storage Disease (GSDV), commonly known as McArdle's disease, is a metabolic disease of the muscle in which the catabolism of glycogen cannot occur to an appreciable extent due to a deficiency in the muscle glycogen phosphorylase enzyme (myophosphorylase). GDSV patients are said to have approximately 1.7% of the normal levels of myophosphorylase exhibited by normal, non-afflicted adults.1 As a result, substrate level phosphorylation is greatly compromised as glycogen cannot be used to make adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), which leaves energy production highly dependent upon gluconeogenesis and the limited phospho-creatine (PCr) system. However, the process of ATP generation by means of oxidative phosphorylation is not affected as glycolysis is not involved. Therefore, those with GSDV can perform predominantly aerobic activities such as walking without ailment, but start to show signs of the disease with the onset of anaerobic activity, such as lifting heavy objects or straining. "

Tags:cell bio, glycogen storage disease, mcardle's disease, muscular sclerosis, metabolic disease

Abstract
This paper is about celiac disease - an autoimmune disease in which patients are intolerant to gluten. It gives an overview of the disease, and then the prevalence, the causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, complications, treatment and immunological aspects of the disease.

From the Paper
"Celiac disease is a digestive disease triggered by the ingestion of the protein gluten and which damages the small intestine interfering with the absorption of nutrients. Gluten is a generic term for the storage proteins found in grains, wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn and rice, all of which are slightly different from each other. Amino acid sequences found in the glutens in wheat, barley and rye and..."

Tags:celiac disease, autoimmune, HLA, COX-2, gluten

Abstract
The paper discusses the onset of coronary artery disease and the condition of atherosclerosis. The paper explains that coronary artery disease is primarily characterized as an inflammation of the arteries. The paper outlines the causes of this inflammation and examines the strong correlation between coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as with Type II Diabetes. The paper looks at the most serious complication from coronary artery disease, which is the possibility of a heart attack.

From the Paper
"Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a frightening name for an all-too common illness. It is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women ("What Is Coronary Artery Disease?" NIH, 2007). More than 64 million Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease, and in 2001, cardiovascular disease was responsible for more than 39 percent of all deaths in the United States (American Heart Association: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2004, cited by "Coronary Artery Disease and Atherosclerosis, Health Concerns, 2006, p1)."

Tags:atherosclerosis, inflammation, cardiovascular, disease, endothelial, cells, heart, attack

Abstract
The paper explores whether heart disease be reversed and posits that this is an important question because heart disease causes so many unnecessary deaths, and so much illness so that people cannot work and be productive. The paper relates that usually, when people are diagnosed with heart disease, they assume that they cannot reverse this disease; all they can do is slow down how fast it progresses. However, the paper explores how researchers are interested in finding ways to reverse heart disease, so that patients can get well again.

From the Paper
"In this paper I will investigate this research question: can heart disease be reversed? This is an important question, because heart disease causes so many unnecessary deaths, and so much illness so that people cannot work and be productive. Usually, when people are diagnosed with heart disease, they assume that they cannot reverse this disease. All they can do is slow down how fast it progresses. However, researchers are interested in finding ways to reverse heart disease, so that patients can get well again. Everyone has some idea that exercise is good for the heart. This has been..."

Tags:health, care, heart disease

Abstract
This paper explains that Kuru disease is found among natives in the eastern highlands of New Guinea who eat the brains of deceased relatives to honor them. The author points out that it is similarity to other spongiform encephalopathies, now known as prion diseases. The paper looks at the biochemical features of the disease and reviews prion diseases in general.

From the Paper
"Kuru disease is one of a family of diseases known as prion diseases because they are caused by an abnormal form of the prion PrP protein found in membranes. The family includes Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease."

Tags:Kuru disease, prions, spongiform encepahlopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, amyloid, neuropathology, biochemistry, genetic aspects

Abstract
The paper relates that approximately 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. The paper explains that this is a disease that affects a person's memory and often makes it impossible to do everyday activities such as eating or dressing. The paper discusses how today scientists know more about this disease, but they do not have a cure for the illness. The paper explains the importance of knowing the definition of Alzheimer's disease with its many symptoms, as well as studying the best treatments for the disease.

Tags:alzheimer's, disease, elderly

Abstract
This paper explores Sander Gilman's theory that the representations of illness and disease are manifestations of society which are susceptible to changes, much the way knowledge is. Art and literature are two major avenues in which society projects its beliefs and views. Gilman uses this phenomenon to examine how disease and illness are seen through society. Gilman contends that in art and literature, painters and poets have accumulated their society's fears of illness and disease and manifested them into very detailed pictorial representations. The writer stresses the need to create representations that can be physically seen which would lessen society's fear of illness. This paper also discusses the various methods created by scientists in which observations and ideas can in fact be seen and scrutinized which results in better understanding of disease and illness.

From the Paper
"Scientists have created a method by which observations and ideas can be observed and scrutinized in order to better the comprehension of the world. The scientific method is central to new ideas and theories becoming more accepted in the scientific community. Just as a human relies on its five senses to interact with the world, the scientific method relies on human observations and ideas to create knowledge. Thus, in its own essence, the scientific method is relying on lesser means of perception in order to broaden the understanding of the world. As an idea passes through the scientific method on its way to becoming accepted knowledge, it must first pass the task of acceptance by society."

Tags:science, perception, art, literature, illness, disease, society, social

Abstract
The topic of this study is Alzheimer's disease, especially issues related to the treatment of this particular disease. Alzheimer's disease is not only a chronic, debilitating and progressive disorder, but it is also one that is expected to escalate on account of the aging of the population. When one adds the fact that there currently is no cure for the disease, and that total care is required for people who are in the final stages, then one is left with perhaps one of the most significant health issues in our society. Also, the fact that care giving is such an important aspect of treatment, one is faced with the effects that are experienced by caregivers. This final point makes the topic of profound interest to the author on account of the author's own involvement in care giving.

Tags:treatment, alzheimer's, disease