DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Two years ago, my granddaughter was diagnosed with Tangier disease.

Is this disease inherited? She is 12, but she is small for her age. Would exposure to chemicals before birth have caused her lack of growth? What do you know about this disease?

There doesn’t seem to be any information out there because of its rarity. I have so many questions. I appreciate any information you can provide. – N.S.

ANSWER: I know little about Tangier disease, but I’ll give you the little knowledge I have. The name comes from Tangier Island, an island off the coast of Virginia, where the first cases were described about 50 years ago. It is a genetic disease.

Both parents contribute a gene to it. Or it could be that your granddaughter underwent a genetic mutation during development. One distinctive feature of the illness is enlarged and orange-colored tonsils.

The spleen enlarges, and often the liver does too. Nerves can be damaged. Muscles aren’t as strong as they should be. Growth lag is not listed as a Tangier sign.

One prominent sign is extremely low levels of HDL cholesterol, the good kind of cholesterol – the kind that prevents heart attacks and strokes. People with Tangier disease are, therefore, at slightly higher risk than others for a having a heart attack or stroke at a younger than average age.

The best I can do for you is to turn you toward the National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association for information and help. Tangier is one of its “allied” diseases. The Web site is: www.NTSAD.org and its toll-free number is 800-906-8723.

Let me take this opportunity to introduce all readers to NORD, the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Rare illnesses are rare only to those who don’t have them.

Those who do have them feel abandoned, since they find it impossible to obtain information and support. NORD is a good friend that provides both. Its Web site is: www.rarediseases.org, and its toll-free number is 800-999-NORD. NORD is a national treasure, an organization we can all be proud of and thankful for.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My granddaughter is 26 months old and doesn’t talk at all, not even to say “mama” or “dada.”

Her hearing is good, and she is very alert and well-behaved. Her pediatrician says not to worry. What do you think? – L.W.

ANSWER: On average, 10-month-old babies are saying “mama” and “dada.” By 1 year, babies can say a few easy words. At 16 months, they follow simple commands and can name familiar objects, like a ball.

At 18 months, they have a 10-word vocabulary, and by 2 years they are linking three words together and have a vocabulary of 100 words.

All these milestones are rough generalizations. No one is able to spot trouble better than a child’s pediatrician. However, I can see how a parent or grandparent would be concerned about your grandchild. I suppose it would be reassuring to have an opinion from a second pediatrician.

You can help your granddaughter to become more verbal by reading to her from picture books while she studies the pictures.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I hope you can help me, because my family doctor, a local urologist and the urologist who operated on me have not been able to help. For years I was controlled by testosterone and learned that peace would be obtained only by becoming a eunuch.

I chose to be castrated at the age of 60, six years ago. I found a doctor who agreed to perform the surgery.

It did give me peace, but I continue to have nightly erections. What can eliminate them?

Furthermore, my weight is increasing and I am losing strength.

Your help would be appreciated. – L.F.

ANSWER: Please don’t be offended by what I say. Something is wrong with your outlook on life.

Nocturnal erections are not a sign of anything abnormal. Your preoccupation is not healthy.

I urge you to talk with a mental health professional to clear your thinking on these matters. Your weight gain and strength loss are partly due to the sudden and complete loss of testosterone – the equivalent of menopause.

Increasing the amount of exercise time is the only way to overcome both.

READERS: Many people ask what chronic fatigue syndrome is and how it’s treated.

The booklet on that subject answers both questions.

Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue – No. 304, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6.75 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address.

Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

Copy the Story Link