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What Are Prion Diseases?
These diseases are brought on by the prion protein, which can be found in your tissues and brain.
Some researchers believe that normal prion proteins protect the brain from damage.
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Abnormally shaped prion proteins, however, are infectious and can cause diseases.
Researchers dont completely understand why abnormal prion proteins form.
Prion diseases are also known astransmissible spongiform encephalopathies(TSEs).
These diseases are incredibly rare, and only about 300 cases are diagnosed in the United States every year.
Abnormal prion proteins are capable of infecting normal prion proteinsthis can turn them into defective proteins that cause disease.
These diseases are notoriously hard to diagnose and can be incredibly deadly.
The most common way to confirm if a person has prion disease is by doing a biopsy after death.
This, in turn, causes brain damage and results inneurodegenerative conditions.
However, its unclear what causes these proteins to become abnormal.
Abnormal prion proteins cause prion diseases by either self-replicating or being transmissible.
This can then cause cells in the brain to die.
Certain factors put people at a higher risk of developing prion diseases than others.
They include:
Types of Prion Diseases
Prion diseases affect both humans and animals.
In some cases, prion diseases that affect animals could be transmitted to humans too.
There is a common misconception that Alzheimer’s is a prion disease.
However, there is ongoing research into developing effective treatments for the diseases.
In specific scenarios,opiatedrugs might be prescribed to relieve pain.
A medication likeKlonopin (clonazepam)may also be prescribed to help with symptoms like involuntary muscle spasms.
Preventing Prion Diseases
Its also possible to prevent prion diseases.
Making sure medical pieces of equipment are properly cleaned and sterilized is an excellent first step.
Coping With Prion Diseases
Prion diseases are fatal and deadly.
Most of its treatment features support for as long as the person has the condition.
If you have just been diagnosed with a prion disease, its essential to start thinking about end-of-life care.
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