Krabbe Disease Analysis

In reference to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Krabbe Disease is a rare, inherited degenerative disease” (NINDS.nih.gov). It is diagnosed when a presence of globoid cells is found. Those are cells with more than one nucleus. A nucleus acts as the brain of the cell where all the action happens. This disease breaks down the coating of nerve fibers or axons, those are called Myelin Sheath. This disease also breaks down brain cells, which are imperative for everyday functioning and intelligence. Symptoms of this disease include, developmental mental delay, seizures, stiff limbs, Optic atrophy: wasting of a muscle of the eye, resulting in vision difficulties, deafness, irritability, spasms, and ataxia which is the

“According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2004, an estimated 12 million persons aged 12 and older (4.9% of US persons aged 12 or older) had used methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime and 600,000(.2% of the US population) had used it during the past month” (2007, CDC.gov, para 8).

Methamphetamine, which is also called meth, chalk, glass, and ice, is an extremely addictive stimulant drug that is chemically similar to amphetamine. “It takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder” (2014,Drugabuse.gov/methamphetamine, para 1).

I found that meth is produced by ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (commonly known as Sudafed) with products such as battery acid, iodine crystals, battery acid, red phosphorous and ammonia. It can be produced into, powder, liquid, glass or clear rock (2007,CDC.gov, para

I appreciated the CDC website a little more as it was thoroughly written to inform the reader. The NIDA gave statistical information like drug related hospital emergency room visits, high school trends and overall nationwide statistics. However, the CDC offers more health related information that can arise out of the use of methamphetamine. It connects the use of meth with HIV/AIDS. I appreciate how the CDC displays the information in a daunting manner. Reading about meth, through the CDC made me more afraid of meth than the NIDA did. The NIDA also contains a note section that contains other information and studies that are very helpful in bringing the reality of meth use to the reader. The CDC does not directly have a website platform for meth as does NIDA. It is disappointing that the CDC, a leader in health information, for the US, does not have a page informing the population of the effects of methamphetamines. With how problematic and destructive meth is, across the United States, one would assume that the CDC would cover the subject, in its