Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes loss of skin color in blotches.
Based on the pattern of patches, vitiligo can be of two types, namely- segmental and nonsegmental.
The condition can develop at any age but usually starts above the age of 20.
Discoloration of various parts of the body is the primary manifestation of this condition, the symptoms include:
There are a few health complications that may put you at risk for the skin condition. These complications include:
Other conditions which may trigger vitiligo are:
There is no particular way to determine the spread of a patch.
However, in most cases, the vitiligo patches tend to spread to different parts of the body.
The spreading may occur either gradually over time or rapidly.
Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition.
An autoimmune disorder is that in which the body’s immune system identifies its healthy cells and tissues as foreign and attacks it, ultimately destroying it.
The leading underlying cause of vitiligo is that the body’s immune system attacks the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
The melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, hair color, eyeball color, etc.
The attack of melanocytes by the immune system leads to loss of melanin in different parts of the body, and that appears as pale patches in vitiligo.
Genetics has been identified as the main reason behind this faltered immune mechanism.
There have been several genes that have been reported causative of this autoimmune disorder.
The most commonly reported genes are:
The gene codes for tyrosinase, which is an enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of melanin
| GENE | RS Id | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| TYR | rs4409785 | C | Altered tyrosinase protein is encoded, inhibiting melanin biosynthesis. |
The gene encodes a cell surface glycoprotein, which, when altered, is associated with lupus and vitiligo.
| GENE | SNP ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD44 | rs736374 | A | The gene codes for an immune component, which gets elevated in case of the risk allele. |
Melanocortin receptor is encoded by MC1R, which is a regulator of melanogenesis.
| GENE | RS Id | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| MC1R | rs4785587 | A | Risk allele carriers encode for a mutated receptor involved in melanin synthesis. |
It codes for an immune cell surface protein and takes part in the immune response of the body.
| GENE | RS Id | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD80 | rs59374417 | C | Responsible for hyper-immune response in vitiligo. |
Elevated IL2RA levels have been associated with increased T-cell activation in autoimmune diseases.
| GENE | RS ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL2RA | s706779 | A | Risk allele implies T-cell overactivation in vitiligo. |
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene have been implicated in various autoimmune disorders.
| GENE | RS ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPP | rs13076312 | T | An increased immune response has been identified in risk allele carriers. |
The human leucocyte antigen family gene has been associated with an elevated immune response against melanocytes.
| GENE | RS ID | RISK ALLELE | IMPLICATIONS OF RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLA-G | rs2975033 | T | The risk allele is implicated in elevated immune response against melanocytes. |
Though the skin condition may seem to be simple patches on the skin, there have been several psychological complications associated with the condition.
People with the condition have been reported to suffer from depression, social phobia, etc.
This condition cannot be cured and therefore, it is crucial to treat the condition.
The most common treatment options available for this autoimmune disorder currently are:
It is important to manage the condition efficiently, and the following supplements may help with it:
Recommended fruits and vegetables for vitiligo are:
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Body Mass Index, known commonly as BMI, is essentially a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters.
This number is used to classify individuals into different groups – optimum weight, underweight, overweight, or obese.
BMI has been used as an indicator to determine an individual’s body fat levels.
However, in recent studies conducted, it has been proven time and again that BMI is a poor representation of an individual’s body fat percentage.
BMI can be used as a screening test rather than a diagnostic test.
It can be used to screen the body fat levels and overall health of the individual.
BMI does not furnish information such as the mass of fat in different regions of the body and does not differentiate between body lean mass and body fat mass.
Also, it does not take into consideration factors such as gender, age, and race.
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To calculate the BMI using the metric system, we need to divide the weight of the individual (in kilograms) by the square of their height (in meters), i.e.
WEIGHT(Kg) / [HEIGHT(meters)]^2
Since height is usually measured in centimeters, the formula can be written as:
[WEIGHT(Kg) / HEIGHT (cm)/ HEIGHT(cm)] x 10,000
To calculate the BMI in the English system, the formula is:
WEIGHT(lb) / [HEIGHT(in)]^2 x 703
Before the BMI calculation, the weight needs to be converted into decimal values in case it is given in terms of ounces.
In order to calculate an individual’s BMI, his/her weight(in kgs) must be divided by the square of his/her height(in meters).
Based on the above-mentioned calculation, individuals are categorized as:
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| <18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 to <25 | Normal |
| 25 to <30 | Overweight |
| 30 or higher | Obese |
Based on BMI, obese individuals are further classified as:
| BMI | Category |
|---|---|
| 30 to <35 | Mild obesity |
| 35 to <40 | Moderate obesity |
| 40 or higher | Extreme or severe obesity |
Absolutely not! It is a screening tool to determine a healthy ratio between an individual’s weight and height.
The calculation does not take into consideration many factors such as muscle mass, fat mass in different regions of the body, gender, race, and age of the individual.
Due to this, the BMI of an individual is usually either an overestimation or underestimation of the true body fat.
One of the prime reasons for this is that BMI doesn’t differentiate between muscle and fat.
A tall individual who is lean but has heavy muscle mass can appear to be obese as per the BMI calculation.
But, this is incorrect because the actual amount of fat, which acts as a risk factor for many diseases, is less.
Another problem with BMI calculation is that it doesn’t differentiate between the fat present in different areas of the body.
For example, fat in the belly is harmful, but fat under the skin is harmless.
Few lean individuals have excess belly fat and still may fall under the ‘normal’ range of BMI.
This is incorrect because belly fat increases the risk of an individual to develop many health problems.
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As we saw earlier, BMI is used to categorize individuals into underweight, normal, overweight and obese categories.
However, it is not the right way to determine obesity and the amount of body fat.
Yes, it can be used as a screening test, but definitely not a diagnostic test to determine one’s obesity.
The reason for this is that the calculation of BMI does not describe what is ‘abnormal fat accumulation’ and does not differentiate between fat mass and muscle mass.
Inaccurate measurement of body fat using only BMI as a tool is potentially dangerous as it can lead to poor treatment, over-treatment, and even social stigma to the individual.
The BMI calculation method neither gives accurate body fat percentage nor its distribution.
However, in many cases, individuals need to determine the exact amount of fat in their bodies.
Some of the more accurate ways to measure body fat include:
Before deciding on a particular body measurement scale, it is important to answer the following question:
FTO or Fat mass and obesity-associated gene, as the name says, have been linked to obesity, increased body fat, and an increased BMI.
A particular SNP rs9939609 has been linked to an increase in total body fat levels.
According to a study conducted, the presence of the AA allele of the FTO gene has shown to contribute to obesity and increased BMI, irrespective of how the adipose tissue distribution is.
Factors influencing an individual’s BMI like insulin sensitivity and plasma cholesterol levels are also associated with the SNP rs9939609.
The FTO gene has been observed to be associated with calorie intake.
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Over 90 genes affect an individual’s BMI.
One such gene is the SEC16B gene.
The exact function of the gene remains unknown.
It is said to play an important role in packing and distributing fatty acids, proteins, and cholesterol within a cell and through multiple cells.
How this function helps in BMI is yet to be studied.
But, it was found that people having a C allele of the gene are at a risk for high BMI.
As repulsive as that may sound, topical application feces of insects like a wasp, beetle, etc were considered as a serious treatment option in the Middle Ages! Thanks to modernization, and development in science, we have a far better knowledge of breast cancer and the much-sophisticated, state-of-the-art treatment options.
Yes! You read that right. Though men may not have breast organs, the presence of the tissue puts men at a risk for breast cancer. Though the prevalence is far less than in women, due to lack of awareness, it is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. A man’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 1 in 1000, and a total of 2670 men in the US are predicted to be diagnosed with cancer in 2009. About 1 out of 5 men with this cancer have close male or female relatives with the disease. So, it’s high time that men also start getting themselves diagnosed as a precaution.
The presence of a lump is considered as a critical criterion in the self-examination of breast cancer. It is very important to remember that not all breast cancers can be self-examined based on the presence of a lump. The cancer can either cause a lump that cannot be felt or it may be too late before a prominent lump is felt. Hence, it is always advised to go for regular breast check-ups like mammograms.
The cancer also is known as nun’s disease due to a higher incidence among the community of nuns. The reason behind this is hormonal fluctuation in nuns due to the absence of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is considered to lower the risks of breast cancer.
Approximately 10% of breast cancer patients carry specific genetic mutations. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the breast cancer susceptibility genes, mutations in which have been reported. Cancer is a very complicated condition to treat, genetic testing helps in putting forth a tough fight against it. Individuals with a familial history of breast cancer, those with a positive report from a mammogram, etc are advised to take up genetic testing.
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Though cancer is the second-highest mortality causing condition, the good news is that there has been a steady increase in the survival rate of breast cancer. Thanks to rapid development in diagnosis and treatment options, there are several survivors. So this breast cancer awareness month, let us pin the pink ribbon and show some support!
References
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Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis is an allergic condition that develops as a response to a wide range of indoor and outdoor allergens that can be inhaled.
Numerous allergens may trigger an allergic response.
The signs and symptoms that follow an allergic exposure, indicating hay fever are:
There is a high chance of misinterpreting the condition as a common cold due to the close similarities in the symptoms of both; hence, it is necessary to know the difference for appropriate treatment.
There are certain features, in particular, which distinguish the common cold from allergic rhinitis:
| Condition | Cause | One Distinguishing symptom | Onset of condition | Duration of condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hay fever/Allergic rhinitis | Allergens | Runny nose discharge is watery | Immediately after exposure to the allergen | As long as there is exposure to the allergen |
| Common cold | Viruses | Runny nose discharge is mucus | 1-3 days post-exposure to a virus | 4-7 days |
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There exists a wide range of allergens that are capable of triggering the allergy, a few of which are:
The underlying cause for allergy has been identified as regular inhalation of an extremely tiny (smaller than the tip of a pin) dry protein called pollen.
Pollens are invisible and are usually smaller than 40 microns in diameter.
They are carried by air and enter the respiratory pathway on inhalation, and as a result, it gets lodged in the nose, causing immediate sneezing, itchy nose, etc.
Though the apparent reason for hay fever is the exposure to pollen, a person’s genetic makeup can make them more susceptible to developing this allergy.
A few genes underlying the reason behind an allergic reaction are-
In hay fever, certain variant forms of the above genes are implicated:
The gene is a member of the Human Leucocyte Antigen family of genes that is responsible for secreting proteins that trigger an immune response by displaying foreign peptides to the immune system.
The single nucleotide polymorphism in HLADQB1 implicated in hay fever causes hyperactivity of the gene. Thus an immune response is elicited; consequently, harmless pollen is identified as a harmful foreign substance, resulting in an allergy.
| Gene | SNP Id | Risk Allele | Implications of risk allele |
|---|---|---|---|
| HLADBQ1 | rs9273373 | G | Increased activity of immune system, recognizing pollen as an allergen. |
IL33 gene is a part of the interleukin family and is responsible for the activation of various components of the immune system like basophils, eosinophils, and natural killer cells.
A mutation in the gene, found in hay fever leads to increased activity of IL33, thereby increased action of the immune system components, which results in an allergic outcome to exposure of mere pollens.
| GENE | SNP Id | Risk allele | Implications of risk allele |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL33 | rs72699186 | T | Hyper-activation of immune system components. |
The SMAD3 gene provides instructions to synthesize the SMAD3 proteins, which upon activation by TGFB protein plays a major role in the activation of various genes, in cellular processes like cell differentiation, proliferation, etc.
A mutation in this gene results in an increased differentiation and proliferation of immune cells.
| GENE | RS Id | Risk Allele | Implications of risk allele |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMAD3 | rs17294280 | G | Increased differentiation and proliferation of immune cells. |
TLR1 (Toll-Like Receptor 1) encodes pattern-recognition receptors whose role is to recognize external pathogens and thereby activate appropriate immune responses.
The presence of T allele, the risk allele, leads to the sensitivity of pollen, therefore, hyper-activation of the corresponding immune response.
| GENE | RS Id | Risk Allele | implications of risk allele |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLR1 | rs4833095 | T | Presents pollen as an harmful pathogen to the immune system. |
The gene encodes for a particular cytokine protein of the interleukin receptor family.
It is involved in immune and inflammatory responses.
A single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene triggers an allergic reaction to pollen.
| GENE | RS Id | Risk Allele | implications of risk allele |
|---|---|---|---|
| IL1R1 | rs1097862 | A | Increases immunity of the body against potentially harmless substances like pollen. |
Managing the condition is a major treatment approach in allergies; hay fever can be managed by taking certain measures:
Treatment options for hay fever include:
Including a few vegetables and fruits to your diet will help in alleviating the symptoms of allergy:
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Upload your DNA raw data to Xcode Life. Our Gene Allergy report analyzes hay fever, dust mite allergy, pollen allergy, and 13 other such traits.
Have you ever felt like taking a random, unplanned decision or an impulsive choice because you ‘felt like’ doing it?
Buying that dress or handbag just like that?
Making that travel booking because you felt like going on a holiday? Or quitting your well-paying job because you had a tiff with your boss?
Do you know people who take such impulsive decisions?
Some instances mentioned above are examples of impulsive decisions that people take.
It is not surprising that we find impulsive people in our day to day lives.
But, how do you define impulsivity?
If you or someone you know has a tendency to act without foresight or thought about the consequences of their actions, it is termed as impulsivity.
While some people are impulsive by nature, for many others, it is a sign of an underlying disorder.
Everyone expresses a certain amount of childish impulsivity occasionally, and this is acceptable in adults.
But, being too impulsive is not considered normal.
It is, however, very common in children as they take quick decisions without much thinking.
In the later years, this slowly gives way to maturity and self-control as they grow older.
Impulsive adults are also mighty risk-takers because many a time they don’t think through their decisions or actions and end up taking a huge risk.
Impulsivity is believed to occur due to the failure of the brain’s inhibitory function to work when making decisions.
This leads to the individual making a decision without thinking it through.
Many studies exploring the causes of such behavior has more than often lead the researchers along the path of genetics.
The HTR2A gene, also known as the ‘impulsivity gene’ is closely associated with the condition.
Individuals carrying a certain variant of the gene are predisposed to impulsivity.
In these individuals, the brain’s inhibitory control either slows or is lost and prevents the individual from making rational decisions.
An SNP analysis showed that there existed a combined phenotype within the 5-HT2a receptor gene or the HTR2A gene attributing to the condition.
The SNPs involved in impulsivity are rs63163 and rs6311. A study found that the T allele of rs6313 was protective in opioid and alcohol dependence studies, whereas, the A allele was associated with alcohol dependence and abuse.
Also, the G allele of the rs6311 had similar effects as the T allele of rs6313.
| GENE | RS Id | RISK ALLELE |
|---|---|---|
| HTR2A | rs6313 | T |
| HTR2A | rs6311 | G |
Impulsivity is a symptom of many behavioral disorders such as
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Impulsivity is one of the three primary symptoms of ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
In fact, attention deficit and impulsivity are some of the characteristics of the DSM-IV criteria of ADHD.
There is evidence that links the trait with psychiatric patients who suffer from various other conditions.
A few psychological conditions implicated in impulsivity are mood disorders, borderline personality disorders, pathological gambling, and self-harming behavior.
There are several human studies that prove the link between impulsivity and alcohol abuse.
These studies show that alcohol abuse triggers impulsive behavior in an individual.
It is also not a surprise that impulsive individuals tend to lose self-control and end up in alcohol abuse.
It is not uncommon to make impulsive decisions when it comes to food.
Individuals with this trait are seen to be prone to conditions like emotional eating, frequent and intense food cravings, eating at night and addictions to certain types of foods.
However, there is a need for additional research to further correlate impulsivity with overeating.
We mentioned earlier that individuals of impulsive nature are risk-takers.
Many studies reveal that highly impulsive people take greater risks than those with less impulsive nature.
This also implies that highly impulsive adolescents are more likely to injure themselves and others.
There are two popular impulsivity questionnaires that enable individuals to self-evaluate whether or not they suffer from impulsivity.
These questionnaires are also useful to identify high-risk individuals.
The treatment is multifaceted and involves addressing various aspects of the condition.
However, proper education and psychiatric intervention, allows us to address the loss of control and impulsivity in individuals who suffer from more severe forms of the symptom.
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