Marfan Syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a rare and serious condition caused by a weakness of connective tissues in the body

. It strikes about one of every 5000 people, indiscriminately in regard to sex, race, ethnicity or region. Things to know about the Marfan Syndrome include the fact that there is no cure and preventative measures are really the only thing to be done. A further fact to know is that the disorder is hereditary.

Marfan syndrome, to date, has no cure and no way to prevent it from occurring in the first place. The only effective measures against Marfan syndrome are to treat the various symptoms and secondary illnesses that are a result of MFS . Starting early with treatment is the key to living a normal and long life. A diagnosis as early as possible is mandatory for catching eye problems, which often occur early in life. Early diagnosis is also important to prevent injury or death as a result of strenious physical activity or specific sports. Preventative measures like not smoking will work best if learned from the start , otherwise chronic lung problems like emphysema or COPD could occur.

For those who worry about their children having Marfan syndrome, there is another thing that is important to know. The only certain chance to predict if a child is born with the genetic malfunction that results in Marfan syndrome is if one or both of the parents suffer from it. Otherwise, there is really no way to predict which children will have MFS and which wont, as any case that is not a direct result of heredity is considered a spontaneous genetic malfunction and cannot be predicted.

Finally, knowledge about the symptoms of MFS will better help you determine and diagnose the problem before secondary illnesses or unnecessary harm comes to the person affected. Very long arms, legs, fingers and toes are a good indicator. Other physical symptoms include visible scoliosis, crowded teeth, flat feet or extremely arched feet, an extreme arch in the palate of the mouth, and a small or receding lower jaw. There are several other symptoms as well that are harder to see on the surface but can be done by participating in regular checkups with dentists, eye doctors and family physicians. They include detached retinas, dislocated lens in the eye, cataracts, glaucoma, weak aorta, leaky heart valves, aortic dissections, COPD or emphysema, degenerative disk disease, spinal cysts, myopia (nearsightedness), heart palpitations, and dural ecstasia. The number of all these conditions may seem a little overwhelming, but the chance of a person who has Marfan syndrome having all of these symptoms is very slim to none. It is more likely that anywhere from one to six of these symptoms will occur, and most of these symptoms are at least partially treatable with medications or, in severe cases, surgery.

by: Susan Meyer

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