GAUCHER DISEASE Meaning and
Definition
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Gaucher disease is a rare inherited genetic disorder characterized by a deficiency of an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase. This enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of a lipid called glucocerebroside, which accumulates in various organs and tissues of the body, particularly the liver, spleen, and bone marrow. The buildup of glucocerebroside results in the formation of abnormal Gaucher cells, leading to the dysfunction and enlargement of affected organs.
Gaucher disease encompasses a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from a milder non-neuronopathic form to more severe neuronopathic forms. Common symptoms of Gaucher disease may include an enlarged liver and spleen, anemia, fatigue, easy bruising, bone pain and fractures, and delayed growth in children. In some cases, the disease can also affect the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.
The disease is classified into three major types: type 1 (non-neuronopathic), type 2 (acute neuronopathic), and type 3 (chronic neuronopathic). Type 1 is the most common form and typically presents in adulthood, whereas types 2 and 3 present in infancy or early childhood and involve neurological symptoms such as seizures, muscle problems, and intellectual disability.
Gaucher disease is caused by mutations in the GBA gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that an affected individual must inherit two mutated copies of the gene – one from each parent. While there is currently no cure for Gaucher disease, enzyme replacement therapy and substrate reduction therapy are available to manage the symptoms and slow disease progression.
Common Misspellings for GAUCHER DISEASE
- faucher disease
- vaucher disease
- baucher disease
- haucher disease
- yaucher disease
- taucher disease
- gzucher disease
- gsucher disease
- gwucher disease
- gqucher disease
- gaycher disease
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- gajcher disease
- gaicher disease
- ga8cher disease
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- gauxher disease
- gauvher disease
- gaufher disease
- gaudher disease
Etymology of GAUCHER DISEASE
The word "Gaucher Disease" is named after the French physician Philippe Charles Ernest Gaucher, who first described the condition in 1882. It is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the accumulation of fatty substances called glucosylceramides in the cells and organs of the body.
