OTHER CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are experienced as developmental difficulties in social interaction and communication, with behavioural and sensory sensitivities.
The word 'spectrum' is used, because every child with Autism is affected different, and there is an infinite range of ways in which Autism is experienced.
To learn more about the Autism communities CLAN works click on the following flag:
Asthma
Asthma affects the lungs and you can't ‘catch’ Asthma from other people.
An ‘Asthma attack’ or 'flare up' happens when the lungs react very strongly and inappropriately to certain ‘triggers’, which cause the airways to become narrow and inflamed, making it hard to breath.
Asthma attacks can range from mild to severe depending on how bad the symptoms are. An Asthmatic attack can lead to death, so it's important to take them seriously.
There are some common triggers that often cause people to have Asthma attacks. They include: sudden changes in the weather, dust, pollen, furry animals and pets, smoke, exercise, and fragrances.
It's very important that people who have Asthma do not smoke and that adults never smoke around children!
Asthma is treated with different types of medicines like inhalers, liquids or pills. Some medicines are used to stop symptoms quickly and should only be used once in a while (“relievers”); others are used to stop symptoms over a longer period of time (“preventers”). Almost all children with Asthma use an inhaler with a device called a ‘spacer.’
Every child with Asthma should have a personalised Asthma action plan which indicates what medicines the child should use at home each day, what warning symptoms to watch out for, what other medications to give a child whose symptoms are getting worse and when to take the child to hospital, or call an ambulance.
Asthma that's not treated with the right medicines can prevent children from doing normal activities, like playing. It may make the children miss school and it also damages their lungs.
Most children with Asthma are able to live normal lives and many even grow out of Asthma.
Childhood Cancer
Many thanks to the many partners CLAN collaborated with to develop the child-friendly childhood cancer rights flyer below.
Polio
In 2016, only two countries in the world still have endemic PoliomyelitisIn (Polio). This highly infectious disease is caused by a virus and invades the nervous system and can cause irreversible paralysis, and death.
Polio can be prevented through immunisation and the world is working hard to completely eradicate Polio in the near future. To learn more about the Polio communities CLAN works click on the following flags:
Laron Syndrome
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Laron Syndrome - most commonly referred to as Growth Hormone Insensitivity (GHI) - is a rare genetic illness that affects children. When properly diagnosed Laron syndrome can be treated, but when left untreated, children fail to grow in stature, and their final adult height is significantly reduced. This has a very negative impact on their quality of life and fulfillment of their life potential.
Treatment cost can vary from US$700 to US$1,400, or more per month, per individual patient, with the duration of treatment lasting many years. Considering the economic inflation in Pakistan currently (an estimated 25% in a country whose GNI per capita is US$770 (UNICEF 2006)) the treatment for even well off families seems like a far-fetched dream.
Laron Syndrome - most commonly referred to as Growth Hormone Insensitivity (GHI) - is a rare genetic illness that affects children. When properly diagnosed Laron syndrome can be treated, but when left untreated, children fail to grow in stature, and their final adult height is significantly reduced. This has a very negative impact on their quality of life and fulfillment of their life potential.
Treatment cost can vary from US$700 to US$1,400, or more per month, per individual patient, with the duration of treatment lasting many years. Considering the economic inflation in Pakistan currently (an estimated 25% in a country whose GNI per capita is US$770 (UNICEF 2006)) the treatment for even well off families seems like a far-fetched dream.
Nodding Syndrome
Nodding syndrome is a chronic debilitating disease that weakens muscles and makes the head loll on the shoulders, it is also characterized with seizures. Over the years nodding syndrome has affected a big community in Northern Uganda. In 2012, there were an estimated 3000 individuals living with nodding syndrome, a few years later, studies indicate a gross impact that spread to more than 8000 children commonly between the ages of 5-15 years and expanding from initial 3 districts (Pader, Kitgum and Lamwo) to also Gulu, Amuru, Oyam, Lira and Omoro districts.
To read more about CLAN's efforts in Uganda please read the project report on the Nodding Syndrome Support Groups launch held on 12 May 2018 at the Hope for Humans Centre, Odek Subcounty, Omoro District Uganda.
To read more about CLAN's efforts in Uganda please read the project report on the Nodding Syndrome Support Groups launch held on 12 May 2018 at the Hope for Humans Centre, Odek Subcounty, Omoro District Uganda.