General
CPPD crystal deposition disease is a polyarticular arthritis (i.e., it leads to an inflammation of several joints in the body), although it may begin as monoarticular (i.e., confined to just one joint). CPPD crystals tend to form within articular tissues. Although, in theory, any joint may be affected, statistics show that the knees, wrists, and hips are the most commonly attributed areas. In rare cases, pseudogout may affect the spinal canal and cause damage to the spinal cord. The exact cause of CPPD is unknown, although increased breakdown of adenosine triphosphate (the molecule used as energy currency in all animals), which results in increased pyrophosphate levels in joints, is thought to be one reason why crystals may develop. There is some recent evidence suggesting that the gene ANKH is involved in crystal-related inflammatory reactions and inorganic phosphate transport. Excessive calcium (due to hypomagnesemia) has a potential relationship with chondrocalcinosis, and magnesium supplementation may reduce or alleviate symptoms.
One genetic study found an association between chondrocalcinosis and a region of chromosome 8q.
Frequently found among patients with Hemochromatosis, Marie Warder, the well-known Hemochromatosis activist is now crippled by this disorder to the extent that she has to use a voice-recognition device in order to carry on her work as a writer.
Read more about this topic: Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease
Famous quotes containing the word general:
“The general review of the past tends to satisfy me with my political life. No man, I suppose, ever came up to his ideal. The first half [of] my political life was first to resist the increase of slavery and secondly to destroy it.... The second half of my political life has been to rebuild, and to get rid of the despotic and corrupting tendencies and the animosities of the war, and other legacies of slavery.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“All the critics who could not make their reputations by discovering you are hoping to make them by predicting hopefully your approaching impotence, failure and general drying up of natural juices. Not a one will wish you luck or hope that you will keep on writing unless you have political affiliations in which case these will rally around and speak of you and Homer, Balzac, Zola and Link Steffens.”
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961)
“An aristocratic culture does not advertise its emotions. In its forms of expression it is sober and reserved. Its general attitude is stoic.”
—Johan Huizinga (1872–1945)