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Gemstone Drops & Ribbons
Representing Neuroendocrine Immune Diseases And Other Illnesses
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Green Gemstone - Lyme/Chronic Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borelli Burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected vector. These include ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.
Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash referred to as a bull’s eye rash. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, heart, nervous system, and become chronic.
For more information please visit: Lifelyme.com
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Blue Gemstone - CFS/ME (chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome)
Over the past decade, cfs/me has emerged as a public health issue in the United States.
Symptoms are as follows: Debilitating fatigue that lasts more than 6 months, recurrent low grade fever, sore throat, myalgia, arthralgia, headaches, sleep disturbances, impaired concentration, and various other non-specific symptoms.
It is said that people with CFS/ME are as sick and as functionally impaired as someone with AIDS, with breast cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
An estimated 4 million people in the United States are thought to struggle with CFS, costing the nation some $9 billion annually and each patient at $20,000 per year in lost revenues. These figures are said to be much higher. Many of these symptoms are also associated with Fibromyalgia and Lyme disease.
For more information please visit: PANDORA - CFSknowledgecenter.com - IACFSME.org
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Purple Gemstone - Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is often listed under arthritis; however, it is classified as a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by widespread pain, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and often psychological distress.
People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms such as: morning stiffness, tingling or numbness in hands and feet, cold hands and feet, headaches including migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, concentration and other cognitive problems often referred to as brain fog.
It is not uncommon for a patient who has been diagnosed with CFS/ME to also be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, or vice versa.
For more information please visit: PANDORA
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White Gemstone - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Illnesses
MCS is a rather poorly understood illness. MCS has no generally accepted definition or proved physiological mechanism, yet it is gaining recognition. Many patients say their problems began either after an overwhelming chemical exposure, such as job-related chemical spill, or after a new, chronic, medium-level exposure.
The most common symptoms include: respiratory problems, headache, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, mental confusion, short-term memory loss, gastrointestinal tract difficulties, cardiovascular irregularities, skin disorders, muscle and joint pain, irritability and depression, eye, ear, nose and throat problems. It is not unusual for a patient to suffer from only one or two of these symptoms.
You can find more information about this disorder at: PANDORA
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Yellow Ribbon - Gulf War Syndrome
Gulf War Syndrome is the name given to a variable combination of psychological and physical complaints experienced by veterans of the Persian Gulf War. The soldiers returning home from two reserve units began to suffer a puzzling array of symptoms.
The symptoms include: aching muscles, irritability, thick saliva, weight loss, skin rashes, memory loss, chronic fever, labored breathing and headaches.
Additionally, an excess of birth defects and stillbirths among children of soldiers have been recorded as well as cases of motor neuron disease.
You can also find more information about this illness at: PANDORA
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Puzzle Ribbon - Autism
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of developmental disabilities defined by significant impairments in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests.
Autism symptoms may begin at an early age, and last a lifetime.
Many people with ASDs also have unusual ways of learning, paying attention, or reacting to different sensations.
The thinking and learning abilities of people with ASDs can vary - from gifted to severely challenged.
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Red Gemstone - Epidermolysis bullosa (EB)
EB is a rare genetic disease characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation, resulting from minor mechanical friction or trauma. This condition causes painful blisters.
Most forms of EB are inherited although it may rarely arise as an acquired autoimmune bullous disease known as EB Aquisita. EB can range from mild symptoms to severe that can require major adjustments in lifestyle for both the patient and family. The three main forms of inherited EB are: EB Simplex, Junctional EB and Dystrophic EB. These different subtypes are defined by the depth of blister location within the skin layers.
An estimated 1 out of every 50,000 live births are affected with some type of EB. The disorder occurs in every racial and ethnic group throughout the world and affects both sexes equally. Although there is no cure for EB, many complications can be lessened or avoided through early intervention.
You can find more information about this disorder at: debra.org
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Red Gemstone - AIDS / HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
HIV is a virus that attacks and breaks down the body's immune system - the "internal defense force" that fights off infections and disease. When the immune system becomes weak, we lose our protection against illness
and can develop serious, often life-threatening, infections and cancers.
AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the name for the condition that people with HIV have if they develop one of the serious infections connected with HIV, or if blood tests show that their immune system has been very badly damaged by the virus.
It usually takes many years before HIV breaks down a person's immune system and causes AIDS. Most people have few, if any, symptoms for several years after they are infected. But once HIV gets into the body, it can do serious damage to the immune system. People who appear perfectly healthy may have the virus, without knowing it, and pass it on to others.
AIDS Community Services provides lifesaving care and prevention services to over 5,000 individuals and families in Western New York every year. Whether you are in need of free 10 minute HIV testing, healthy living education, medical care, case management, counseling, or housing and nutrition services, you can find it at no cost at AIDS Community Services.
To contact them or to learn more, call 716-847-0212
or visit their website at Aids Community Services |
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