PLEASE HELP! How do I conclude my Expos speech (on Scleroderma, a disease)?
PLEASE HELP! How do I conclude my Expos speech (on Scleroderma, a disease)?
Basically, I had to write an Expos speech for my Speech and Debate class. My coach thinks my ending sounds too much like an Oratory, and I agree. I'm totally brain dead as too how I should end this Expos, without it sounding like an Oratory. Any ideas? If you want to read it, here it is, I'll put my crappy conclusion in quotes:
At the age of two, I was diagnosed with a rare, progressive disease on my left leg, called Scleroderma. Scleroderma is a chronic, rheumatic disease and autoimmune disorder in which the skin and connective tissues tighten and harden. Scleroderma occurs when the body produces and gathers too much collagen in tissues. Collagen is a fibrous type of protein which makes up the body's connective tissues, including skin. Experts suspect that the body's immune system plays a role in the abnormal production of collagen, but the exact cause is unknown. Although scleroderma may run in families with history of auto-immune disorders, such as Raynaud’s Phenomenon, it often occurs in patients without any family history of the disease. Genes linked to Scleroderma have not been identified. You cannot catch Scleroderma, as it is not contagious.
There are two main types of Scleroderma, localized and Systemic. Most localized types show up before age 40, and are more common in people of European descent than in African Americans. As for Systemic types, they are more likely to show up in people aged 30 to 50 and are more common in African Americans than people of European descent.
Localized Scleroderma affects only certain parts of the body, and commonly affects only one side. For example, the Localized Scleroderma I have only affected my left leg. Localized types do not affect major organs, only skin and tissues depending on what branch of Localized Scleroderma you have. The two main branches of Localized Scleroderma are Morphea and Linear. In Morphea Scleroderma, patches of hard skin form and can last for years. Eventually, however, they may improve or disappear. There is less than a 1% chance that this disorder will progress to systemic scleroderma. Linear scleroderma causes bands of hard skin across the face or on a single arm or leg. Linear scleroderma may also involve muscle or bone. Rarely, if this type of scleroderma affects children or young adults, it may interfere with growth and cause severe deformities in the arms and legs. In my case, the Linear Scleroderma caused deformity in my left leg and caused it to grow slower than my right, which in turn, led to a 3 inch difference in leg length. The asymmetry in my legs caused severe back pain, which lead to growth plate surgery on my right leg. Basically, the surgery slowed down the growth in my right leg, so my left leg could catch up. As of now, there is less than an inch of a difference in my leg length. Localized scleroderma can occur at any age and in any race, but is most common in Caucasians. Majority of patients who develop scleroderma are female. The exact number of patients with this form of Scleroderma is unknown. It is best estimated that 50 children out of every 100,000 will develop localized scleroderma.
Systemic Scleroderma, also known as Systemic Sclerosis, affects the major and minor organs of the body, large areas of the skin, or in some cases, both. This form of Scleroderma has two main branches, Limited and Diffuse. Limited Scleroderma, also known CREST Syndrome, is a progressive form of Systemic where the internal organs are not affected. Patients with Limited Scleroderma have a less serious course, unless they develop pulmonary hypertension, a particular danger with the CREST syndrome. Diffuse Scleroderma, can affect wide areas of the skin, connective tissue, and other organs. It commonly can have a very slow course, but it also may start quickly and be accompanied by severe swelling of the hand. If conditions get extremely severe early on, the conditions can affect internal organs and become life threatening. Diffuse can overlap with other autoimmune disorders, in such cases, the disorder is referred to as mixed connective disease. Systemic Scleroderma, along with Localized, also can affect anyone. Systemic, and particularly Diffuse Systemic, is the most fatal type of Scleroderma.
"I’m a lucky victim of this disease, as it is no longer progressive and not fatal. But thousands of people suffer from daily disabilities caused by this disease, and many even die. Bringing awareness to Scleroderma is the key to finding a cure. And now that you’re aware, please join me in spreading the word to help find a cure."
Comments
http://sclero-eze.com/paleo-autoimmune-diet
In March 2000, Collard Biopharmaceuticals was testing a new drug Halofuginone for the treatment of Scleroderma. The drug’s origin was the Chinese herb Chang Shan. While the drug halofuginone can be extremely toxic even at small doses/ parts per million … the Chinese herb Chang Shan has been used for over 2,000 years to treat malaria. Recently in February 2012, medical researches had discovered the febrifugine derivatives that are in the Chinese herb chang shan offer similar benefits as the drug halofuginone.
Since 2000 we have made great strides in our knowledge base of autoimmune diseases.
In 2000, the T helper 17 cell had not yet been discovered. Opinions differed as to which T cell was involved with autoimmune related illness; T helper 1 versus T helper 2; systemic pathology (virus) versus allergy-asthma.
We have come a long way since 2000; medical researchers have identified T helper 17 involvement in inflammation, autoimmune and cancer! See ... Helper T cells at work:
http://www.courses.vcu.edu/micr505/reading/Reiner
In 2000 the health benefits of an alkaline diet versus an acid food diet flourished as a topic of discussion. The debate still lingers; however, the Paleo diet has now clearly defined why debate even existed: Acid foods contain more lectins than alkaline foods.
Meanwhile, the use low dose antibiotics gain support in those individuals suffering autoimmune related illnesses. See: (roadback.org)
http://roadback.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/studies.s...
The supporters claimed the autoimmune response is the product of a systemic infection. They are close in their assumptions; a characteristic of an infection is inflammation. Subsequently, low dose antibiotics benefited some individuals and not others. Perhaps, some future medical researcher may discover those who benefited the most likely chose a diet that mirrored the Paleo diet. Nevertheless, for some individuals low dose antibiotics offer some positive benefits.
It has general been accepted that autoimmune related illness are influence by the gender hormones estrogen and testosterone. We now know both hormones are a protectant with testosterone being the stronger of the two. Key to T Helper 17 cell’s development is the protein messenger interleukin 6 (il-6). Both estrogen and testosterone down regulate the production of il-6. Furthermore, there is an age-associate decrease in estrogen and testosterone that inversely correlate with the rise in il-6.
http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annur...
Current efforts to target the T Helper 17 cell involve its various essential components including Interleukin 6, Interleukin 23, and Transforming Growth Factor Beta – TFGb.
See image for T- Helper 17 cell:
http://www.ebioscience.com/knowledge-center/cell-t...
The principal routine function of IL-10 appears to be to limit and ultimately terminate inflammatory responses. Interleukin 10 down regulates the production of T Helper 17 cells. Researchers have just discovered another interleukin, il-9 that offer inhibitory potential for both autoimmune sufferers and cancer patients. See:
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-07-scientists-m...
The future looks very bright for a dose dependent inhibitor of T Helper 17 cells either as a drug and or a supplement.
We are making great strides in our knowledge base. However, we may only be treating the symptoms of food choices. http://sclero-eze.com/paleo-autoimmune-diet
The Paleo Autoimmune Diet For Children An Introduction Eliminating Antigens
Every Parent With A Child Autoimmune Illness Should Read The Paleo Diet, Loren Cordain PhD
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