Genetic Brain Disorders

A genetic disorder is a disease caused by a different form of a gene, called a variation, or a change in a gene, called a mutation. Genetic brain disorders specifically affect the development and function of the brain.

Some genetic brain disorders are due to random gene mutations or mutations caused by environmental exposure, such as cigarette smoke. Other disorders are inherited, which means that a mutated gene or group of genes is passed down through a family. Still other disorders are due to a combination of genetic changes and other outside factors. Some examples of genetic brain disorders include leukodystrophies, phenylketonuria, Tay-Sachs disease, and Wilson disease.

Many people with genetic brain disorders fail to produce enough of certain proteins that influence brain development and function. These brain disorders can cause serious problems that affect the nervous system. Some are life-threatening.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. People who have it experience dramatic mood swings. They may go from overly energetic, "high" and/or irritable, to sad and hopeless, and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The up feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression.

Bipolar disorder can run in families. It usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood. If you think you may have it, tell your health care provider. A medical checkup can rule out other illnesses that might cause your mood changes.

Untreated, bipolar disorder can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. However, there are effective treatments: medicines and "talk therapy". A combination usually works best.

Mammography

A mammogram is a special type of X-ray of the breasts. Mammograms can show tumors long before they are big enough for you or your health care provider to feel. Mammograms are recommended every year or two for women older than 40. They are also recommended for younger women who have symptoms of breast cancer or who have a high risk of the disease.

Mammograms are quick and easy. You stand in front of an X-ray machine. The person who takes the X-rays places your breast between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and make it flat. This may be uncomfortable, but it helps get a clear picture. You will have an X-ray of each breast. A mammogram takes only a few seconds and it can help save your life.

Managed Care

Managed care plans are health insurance plans that contract with health care providers and medical facilities to provide care for members at reduced costs. These providers make up the plan's network. How much of your care the plan will pay for depends on the network's rules.

Restrictive plans generally cost you less. More flexible plans cost more. There are three types of managed care plans:

* Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) usually only pay for care within the network. You choose a primary care doctor who coordinates most of your care.
* Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) usually pay more if you get care within the network, but they still pay a portion if you go outside
* Point of Service (POS) plans let you choose between an HMO or a PPO each time you need care

Male Breast Cancer

Male breast cancer is rare. It happens most often to men between the ages of 60 and 70. Risk factors for male breast cancer include exposure to radiation, a family history of breast cancer and having high estrogen levels, which can occur with diseases like cirrhosis or Klinefelter's syndrome.

Symptoms of male breast cancer include lumps, changes to the nipple or breast skin, or discharge of fluid from the nipple. Treatment for male breast cancer is usually a mastectomy, which is surgery to remove the breast. Other treatments include radiation, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite. Infected mosquitoes spread it. Malaria is a major cause of death worldwide, but it is almost wiped out in the United States. The disease is mostly a problem in developing countries with warm climates. If you travel to these countries, you are at risk. There are four different types of malaria caused by four related parasites. The most deadly type occurs in Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

Malaria symptoms include chills, flu-like symptoms, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice. The disease can be life-threatening. However, you can treat malaria with medicines. The type of medicine depends on which kind of malaria you have and where you were infected.

Malaria can be prevented. When traveling to malaria-prone regions

* See your doctor for medicines that protect you
* Wear insect repellent with DEET
* Cover up
* Sleep under mosquito netting

Shoppen und Jugendliche

T-Shirts, Hosen, Jacken und vieles mehr – Shoppen ist für viele Jugendliche ein Hobby. Doch worauf legen junge Leute Wert? Auf gute Qualität, auf die Marke oder auf einen guten Preis? JOKER-Reporterin Rilana Heiber hat sich mal umgehört.

Roberta Wegert (16) aus Horneburg legt keinen Wert auf Markenkleidung. „Ich sehe nicht ein, wieso ich so viel Geld für ein T-Shirt ausgeben sollte, wenn auch billigere Sachen gut aussehen“, meint sie. Wichtig ist für sie, dass ihr die Klamotten toll stehen und nicht welches Label auf der Kleidung zu lesen ist.

Finja Kraft aus Steinkirchen sieht das anders. Der 16-Jährigen gefällt es, Markenkleidung zu tragen. „Aber natürlich nur, wenn es schön aussieht“, sagt sie.