Surprisingly!! there is this condition called the Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). Just like you're getting to know about it now, I got to now about it a few days back. Then I decided to share, so read on if you would love to now more.

Now what exactly is this rare condition?

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It was first discovered by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson in 1886 and later noted by Dr. Hastings Gilford in 1904, hence the name Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.
it's caused by a gene problem that creates an abnormal protein, making cells age fast.

You see HGPS is a rare sickness that makes kids look much older than they really are, crazy right ? . It's like time is speeding up for these kids, just like pressing the fast-forward on a remote. Their age is taking a nap, while their body is on a high-speed race (unfortunately to oblivion). it's quite fascinating and sad at the same time.

Now let's shift perspective a little, Imagine being a child and suddenly having the body of someone very old. That's what happens to kids with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, or Progeria for short. It's super rare and happens because of a problem in a special code inside our bodies.

Progeria - How does it happen?

You see, progeria happens when something goes wrong in a part of our body's instructions. This messes up a protein called lamin A, and because of this, kids with Progeria start looking much older very quickly.

How Progeria Changes the Body

Our body has a built-in timer which I wish that built-in timer didn't exist by the way. This timer tells our cells when to grow old. In Progeria, this timer goes really fast, fast might actually be an understatement thus making cells age much quicker than they should. As a result, kids with Progeria look older with wrinkled skin, fragile bones, and heart problems while they're still young.

Getting to Knowing the Kids with Progeria

Now here is the somewhat motivational part, even though Progeria makes life tough for these kids, they are super strong and brave. They teach us a lot about how to be strong even when things are hard. They show us that every day is a gift, no matter what.

Searching for Help

Doctors and scientists are working hard round the clock, to find ways to help kids with Progeria. They're trying a serie of new treatment and doing neccessary tests to make life better for these kids and maybe even help them live longer.

Key Takeaway

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It's quite important for everyone to understand and support kids with Progeria.

In a world where time seems to rush by, kids dealing with Progeria show us how strong and brave they are. They teach us to appreciate every moment because time is precious and should be treasured.

Understanding Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome isn't just about learning about a rare sickness. It's about seeing how strong kids can be, even when things are tough. It's a reminder to apprecieate every single moment in life.

Thanks for reading 🖐️

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References

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• https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/hutchinson-gilford-progeria-syndrome/
• https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/hutchinson-gilford-progeria/
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17850-progeria
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20301300/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26564085/
• https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1117344-overview
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444627025000184
• https://www.cureus.com/articles/101764-hutchinson-gilford-progeria-syndrome-a-literature-review

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Credits

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Images used gotten from here and here