My Feature Article on Progeria
9:14 PM
Don’t get old
without knowing about PROGERIA
“Kung
tayo ay matanda na, sana'y di tayo magbago.. Kailan man, nasaan ma'y ito ang
pangarap ko ...”
Along with this song is a pinky
swear and an exchange of a promise to a lifelong friendship. We have always
shared hilarious stories, silly jokes and played under the delightful sunlight
– We were 5 years old back then, but something had unbelievably happened when
we reached 8….
Getting
older is a natural process of our life cycle. This is how it really goes for
everybody. As we become older, our bodies grow older as well and make changes
to adjust to its changing self. However, one disease threatens this natural
process, wherein your body gets older and older than necessary, even way older
than our actual age– ever heard of Progeria?
In
the newest primetime drama series Lorenzo’s Time which tells the story of a 10
year old boy who suffered from Progeria, watching that on TV made me thought of
him…
Hutchison
Gilford Progeria Syndrome is a rare genetic disease in which the affected
patient ages around eight to ten times faster than normal children, though
mental development is not affected. Children suffering from it seem to
experience accelerated aging which has transparent skin as an infant, and a
small fragile body, like that of an elderly person.
“Nagtatanong
lang sa 'yo, ako pa kaya'y ibigin mo? Kung maputi na ang buhok ko ...”
I told him our friendship will endure the
test of time and any other struggle that may come across us. We still played,
had fun and enjoyed the time of our lives. We were 8, but something was
seemingly unusual. We were 8 but he looked like an 18 year-old. I was taken
aback, I was in huge awe, but I didn’t mind.
Progeria
is an extremely rare genetic disease wherein symptoms resemble aspects of aging
are manifested at an early age with very low incidences and occurs in an
estimated 1 per 8 million live births and is rarely inherited. Signs and
symptoms of this disease tend to get worse as the child ages. Later, the
condition causes wrinkled skin, kidney failure, and loss of eyesight, hair loss
and cardiovascular problems.
“Pagdating
ng araw, ang 'yong buhok ay puputi na rin…”
Yes, his hair turned gray. I was almost
terrified…
Children with Progeria can
look quite normal at birth, but eventually they fail to develop properly. They
usually build up some distinctiveness. Their height and weight are below
average, they have prominent eyes, they may turn gray, bald and have Alopecia,
their nose seems pinched, they have decayed teeth or delayed teeth development,
loss of eyebrows and eyelashes are evident, their skin turns wrinkled.
Children
with this genetic condition usually look quite similar, regardless of their
race or ethnicity. The disease however, does not affect the mental growth and
development of the affected children.
“Ang nakalipas
ay ibabalik natin, hmm.. Ipapaalala ko sa 'yo, ang aking pangako na ang
pag-ibig ko'y laging sa 'yo kahit maputi na ang buhok ko ..”
3 years have passed, but he aged even faster
than expected. We were 13 but he, as if, was almost dying. I was horrified.
Seeing him that weak and that old? I was scared to lose my dearly loved friend.
I was beside him, holding his hand, looking into his sorrowful eyes. And right
then and there, all that I was able to do was tell a story, our story.. And
bring back the splendid memories of our good old friendship….
Unlike other diseases and
disorders, there are no diagnostic tests and examinations. The diagnosis is
based entirely on the signs and symptoms, or the physical appearance of the
sufferer. The signs and symptoms of the disease become more obvious in the
first or second year of life of the child. As far as treatment is concerned, it
has no cure. Treatment is mainly aimed towards reducing the complications such
as, heart and cardiovascular diseases associated with the condition.
Till now, only a few
children with Progeria exceed the age of 13 years, as most of them surrender to
conditions like, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks and
strokes.
Currently, there only 40
to 45 known cases of Progeria in the entire world and researchers are still finding
a cure for the disease. Apart from finding a cure, scientists have another
special interest in the Progeria, as this disease may unveil some of the very
important aspects of the normal aging process.
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