#Thyroid Cancer Types

[sanidhyaclinic]

Understanding Thyroid Symptoms: When to Seek Help

Thyroid disorders can significantly impact your health and quality of life. If you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or mood swings, it may be time to consult a thyroid specialist in Dahod. At Sanidhya Clinic, we offer expert thyroid care with personalized treatment plans to help you manage your condition effectively. Read more on medium.com

[cripplecharacters]

Where to Start Your Research When Writing a Disabled Character

[large text: Where to Start Your Research When Writing a Disabled Character]

So you have decided that you want to make a disabled character! Awesome. But what's next? What information should you decide on at the early phrase of making the character?

This post will only talk about the disability part of the character creation process. Obviously, a disabled character needs a personality, interests, and backstory as every other one. But by including their disability early in the process, you can actually get it to have a deeper effect on the character - disability shouldn't be their whole life, but it should impact it. That's what disabilities do.

If you don't know what disability you would want to give them in the first place;

[large text: If you don't know what disability you would want to give them in the first place;]

Start broad. Is it sensory, mobility related, cognitive, developmental, autoimmune, neurodegenerative; maybe multiple of these, or maybe something else completely? Pick one and see what disabilities it encompasses; see if anything works for your character. Or...

If you have a specific symptom or aid in mind, see what could cause them. Don't assume or guess; not every wheelchair user is vaguely paralyzed below the waist with no other symptoms, not everyone with extensive scarring got it via physical trauma. Or...

Consider which disabilities are common in real life. Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, stroke, cataracts, diabetes, intellectual disability, neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, thyroid disorders, autism, dwarfism, arthritis, cancers, brain damage, just to name a few.

Decide what specific type of condition they will have. If you're thinking about them having albinism, will it be ocular, oculocutaneous, or one of the rare syndrome-types? If you want to give them spinal muscular atrophy, which of the many possible onsets will they have? If they have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which one out of the 13 different types do they have? Is their amputation below, or above the knee (it's a major difference)? Not all conditions will have subtypes, but it's worth looking into to not be surprised later. This will help you with further research.

If you're really struggling with figuring out what exact disability would make sense for your character, you can send an ask. Just make sure that you have tried the above and put actual specifics in your ask to give us something to work with. You can also check out our "disabled character ideas" tag.

Here are some ideas for a character using crutches.

Here are some ideas for a character with a facial difference (obligatory link: what is a facial difference?).

If you already know what disability your character is going to have;

[large text: If you already know what disability your character is going to have;]

Start by reading about the onset and cause of the condition. It could be acquired, congenital, progressive, potentially multiple of these. They could be caused by an illness, trauma, or something else entirely. Is your character a congenital amputee, or is it acquired? If acquired - how recently? Has it been a week, or 10 years? What caused them to become disabled - did they have meningitis, or was it an accident? Again, check what your options are - there are going to be more diverse than you expect.

Read about the symptoms. Do not assume or guess what they are. You will almost definitely discover something new. Example: a lot of people making a character with albinism don't realize that it has other symptoms than just lack of melanin, like nystagmus, visual impairment, and photophobia. Decide what your character experiences, to what degree, how frequently, and what do they do (or don't do) to deal with it.

Don't give your character only the most "acceptable" symptoms of their disability and ignore everything else. Example: many writers will omit the topic of incontinence in their para- and tetraplegic characters, even though it's extremely common. Don't shy away from aspects of disability that aren't romanticized.

Don't just... make them abled "because magic". If they're Deaf, don't give them some ability that will make them into an essentially hearing person. Don't give your blind character some "cheat" so that they can see, give them a cane. Don't give an amputee prosthetics that work better than meat limbs. To have a disabled character you need to have a character that's actually disabled. There's no way around it.

Think about complications your character could experience within the story. If your character wears their prosthetic a lot, they might start to experience skin breakdown or pain. Someone who uses a wheelchair a lot has a risk of pressure sores. Glowing and Flickering Fantasy Item might cause problems for someone photophobic or photosensitive. What do they do when that happens, or how do they prevent that from happening?

Look out for comorbidities. It's rare for disabled people to only have one medical condition and nothing else. Disabilities like to show up in pairs. Or dozens.

If relevant, consider mobility aids, assistive devices, and disability aids. Wheelchairs, canes, rollators, braces, AAC, walkers, nasal cannulas, crutches, white canes, feeding tubes, braillers, ostomy bags, insulin pumps, service dogs, trach tubes, hearing aids, orthoses, splints... the list is basically endless, and there's a lot of everyday things that might count as a disability aid as well - even just a hat could be one for someone whose disability requires them to stay out of the sun. Make sure that it's actually based on symptoms, not just your assumptions - most blind people don't wear sunglasses, not all people with SCI use a wheelchair, upper limb prosthetics aren't nearly as useful as you think. Decide which ones your character could have, how often they would use them, and if they switch between different aids.

Basically all of the above aids will have subtypes or variants. There is a lot of options. Does your character use an active manual wheelchair, a powerchair, or a generic hospital wheelchair? Are they using high-, or low-tech AAC? What would be available to them? Does it change over the course of their story, or their life in general?

If relevant, think about what treatment your character might receive. Do they need medication? Physical therapy? Occupational therapy? Orientation and mobility training? Speech therapy? Do they have access to it, and why or why not?

What is your character's support system? Do they have a carer; if yes, then what do they help your character with and what kind of relationship do they have? Is your character happy about it or not at all?

How did their life change after becoming disabled? If your character goes from being an extreme athlete to suddenly being a full-time wheelchair user, it will have an effect - are they going to stop doing sports at all, are they going to just do extreme wheelchair sports now, or are they going to try out wheelchair table tennis instead? Do they know and respect their new limitations? Did they have to get a different job or had to make their house accessible? Do they have support in this transition, or are they on their own - do they wish they had that support?

What about *other* characters? Your character isn't going to be the only disabled person in existence. Do they know other disabled people? Do they have a community? If your character manages their disability with something that's only available to them, what about all the other people with the same disability?

What is the society that your character lives in like? Is the architecture accessible? How do they treat disabled people? Are abled characters knowledgeable about disabilities? How many people speak the local sign language(s)? Are accessible bathrooms common, or does your character have to go home every few hours? Is there access to prosthetists and ocularists, or what do they do when their prosthetic leg or eye requires the routine check-up?

Know the tropes. If a burn survivor character is an evil mask-wearer, if a powerchair user is a constantly rude and ungrateful to everyone villain, if an amputee is a genius mechanic who fixes their own prosthetics, you have A Trope. Not all tropes are made equal; some are actively harmful to real people, while others are just annoying or boring by the nature of having been done to death. During the character creation process, research what tropes might apply and just try to trace your logic. Does your blind character see the future because it's a common superpower in their world, or are you doing the ancient "Blind Seer" trope?

Remember, that not all of the above questions will come up in your writing, but to know which ones won't you need to know the answers to them first. Even if you don't decide to explicitly name your character's condition, you will be aware of what they might function like. You will be able to add more depth to your character if you decide that they have T6 spina bifida, rather than if you made them into an ambiguous wheelchair user with ambiguous symptoms and ambiguous needs. Embrace research as part of your process and your characters will be better representation, sure, but they will also make more sense and seem more like actual people; same with the world that they are a part of.

This post exists to help you establish the basics of your character's disability so that you can do research on your own and answer some of the most common ("what are symptoms of x?") questions by yourself. If you have these things already established, it will also be easier for us to answer any possible questions you might have - e.g. "what would a character with complete high-level paraplegia do in a world where the modern kind of wheelchair has not been invented yet?" is more concise than just "how do I write a character with paralysis?" - I think it's more helpful for askers as well; a vague answer won't be of much help.

I hope that this post is helpful,

mod Sasza

[paper-rose-doodles]

As a cancer survivor, I’d like to weigh in on the Biden “controversy” (which shouldn’t even be a discussion).

There’s a lot of chatter from both sides about how this diagnosis “couldn’t have come out of thin air.”

Let’s leave aside the question of whether a president is required to disclose any and all health issues they may have. That’s a hole I am not going to go down.

I am here to tell you that cancer CAN move that quickly, even supposedly “slow-moving” cancers.

In late March 2023, my gynecologist noticed a lump on my thyroid during a routine visit. I’d had nodes before, so she referred me for an ultrasound to confirm it was another node. That was inconclusive, as were my blood tests, so off to a specialist I went for a biopsy. Midway through the biopsy, it became clear that this was a tumor. Even at that point, though, my specialist was optimistic. Thyroid cancer is usually very slow-moving and restricted to the thyroid and lymph nodes. Under 5% people with the type of tumor I had end up with cancer elsewhere.

Guess who was in the 5%? A healthy 30-something woman. And this moved FAST. By the time I had my surgery to remove the tumor, it had doubled in size and was visible in my neck. I lost my entire thyroid, almost a dozen lymph nodes and the muscle running down the center of my neck, which the cancer had started to eat. Within a few more weeks, it would likely have spread to my esophagus and then my lungs. I needed radiation treatment, but they had to wait for me to heal up and to relearn how to swallow without the missing neck muscle. I had vocal cord damage that hasn’t healed two years later. I’ll be on medication to replace my thyroid for the rest of my life.

And the time frame between the first sign and surgery? Five weeks. Five weeks between a routine Pap smear/physical and me losing a vital organ.

Five weeks.

I know conspiracy theories are really attractive because they tell us that life follows a specific logic. If something happens that doesn’t make sense, it’s comforting to think that there are actors manipulating the situation behind the scenes. We’d like to think that we’d know if something like this was happening to us, so we assume that Biden must have known. Maybe he had an idea something was wrong. Maybe he didn’t.

Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. Sometimes you get shitty news. And if you get shitty news, you’d want people to react with humanity and grace instead of accusations.

Trust me, I have been there.

[olowan-waphiya]

of fucking course.....they fucking coated paper straws with pfas......its a fucking nightmare

--

Long-lasting 'forever chemicals', which can cause damaging health issues, found in 18/20 brands of paper straws

In the first analysis of its kind in Europe, and only the second in the world, Belgian researchers tested 39 brands of straws for the group of synthetic chemicals known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS were found in the majority of the straws tested and were most common in those made from paper and bamboo, the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Food Additives and Contaminants, found.

PFAS are used to make everyday products, from outdoor clothing to non-stick pans, resistant to water, heat and stains. They are, however, potentially harmful to people, wildlife and the environment.

They break down very slowly over time and can persist over thousands of years in the environment, a property that has led to them being known as "forever chemicals."

They have been associated with a number of health problems, including lower response to vaccines, lower birth weight, thyroid disease, increased cholesterol levels, liver damage, kidney cancer and testicular cancer.

"Straws made from plant-based materials, such as paper and bamboo, are often advertised as being more sustainable and eco-friendly than those made from plastic," says researcher Dr Thimo Groffen, an environmental scientist at the University of Antwerp, who is involved in this study.

"However, the presence of PFAS in these straws means that's not necessarily true."

A growing number of countries, including the UK and Belgium, have banned sale of single-use plastic products, including drinking straws, and plant-based versions have become popular alternatives.

A recent study found PFAS in plant-based drinking straws in the US. Dr Groffen and colleagues wanted to find out if the same was true of those on sale in Belgium.

To explore this further, the research team purchased 39 different brands of drinking straw made from five materials -- paper, bamboo, glass, stainless steel and plastic.

The straws, which were mainly obtained from shops, supermarkets and fast-food restaurants, then underwent two rounds of testing for PFAS.

The majority of the brands (27/39, 69%) contained PFAS, with 18 different PFAS detected in total.

The paper straws were most likely to contain PFAS, with the chemicals detected in 18/20 (90%) of the brands tested. PFAS were also detected in 4/5 (80%) brands of bamboo straw, 3/4 (75%) of the plastic straw brands and 2/5 (40%) brands of glass straw. They were not detected in any of the five types of steel straw tested.

The most commonly found PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has been banned globally since 2020.

Also detected were trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS), "ultra-short chain" PFAS which are highly water soluble and so might leach out of straws into drinks.

The PFAS concentrations were low and, bearing in mind that most people tend to only use straws occasionally, pose a limited risk to human health. However, PFAS can remain in the body for many years and concentrations can build up over time.

"Small amounts of PFAS, while not harmful in themselves, can add to the chemical load already present in the body," says Dr Groffen.

It isn't known whether the PFAS were added to the straws by the manufacturers for waterproofing or whether were the result of contamination. Potential sources of contamination include the soil the plant-based materials were grown in and the water used in the manufacturing process.

However, the presence of the chemicals in almost every brand of paper straw means it is likely that it was, in some cases, being used as a water-repellent coating, say the researchers.

The study's other limitations include not looking at whether the PFAS would leach out of the straws into liquids.

Dr Groffen concludes: "The presence of PFAS in paper and bamboo straws shows they are not necessarily biodegradable.

"We did not detect any PFAS in stainless steel straws, so I would advise consumers to use this type of straw -- or just avoid using straws at all."

[luludeluluramblings]

wait CANCER… Are you alright…?

(No seriously Are you alright, how Are you feeling?)

Yeah, it’s all good now! I went in to a new doctor thinking it was typical Thyroid problems in October. Which are extremely common in my family. So I was going to go and start getting that checked in a few years, but I decided to go in early cause I was having odd symptoms. (Not related).

Then they found a tiny lump, then they found out there two nodes, then they did scans and a biopsy. Honestly it happened kinda fast. There was a 90% chance it was cancer before they took it out, only to confirm it was stage one and just barely starting to escape the thyroid capsule.

So I’m getting treatment to kill off all my left over thyroid cells since they could be cancerous.

Basically, I’m radioactive for the next couple days.

If there was ever a type of cancer to get, it would be this one. (Both my mom and grandmother had the same treatment for different thyroid problems.)

Soooo, I got really lucky and caught it extremely early. Surprisingly enough, my overall health is improving with my thyroid meds. Skin’s clear, I’m happier, I have more energy. Though I can’t sing or yell anymore. My voice ends up cracking.

Sorry for the long winded explanation. In quarantine and I’m either writing, calling my family, or playing the sims. (I’m building Wayne Manor.)

[gdbatbitch]

Hello there! I am making this video to give everyone an update on where I’m at and how I’m doing. Short answer: I’ve been better. Those of you keeping up with me through my social media or my GoFundMe know that I’ve been sick for the last year and a half, going on two years. I’ve also recently lost my job because they said they could not accommodate my illness and need for more time off and protect my job. I am disappointed about that but not angry. I will say that they did give me a lot of leeway before we got to this point. 

So to briefly recap the road so far, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October of 2023. In that same month, I had a total thyroidectomy. So far, all is clear and there doesn’t seem to be any cancerous tissue lingering in the area. I still have to have checks every few months for the next few years to be sure it doesn’t come back. This was actually the easy part. 

The recovery has been far harder than I could have anticipated. Everyone I’ve talked to that has had thyroid issues has had a different experience so there’s not a clear path for recovery. For example I have had issues with getting my T4 and TSH levels regulated. I just got an increased dosage on my Synthroid last month, and so far it’s not really doing the trick. 19 months and it’s still trial and error. 

And that alone would be enough to lay most people out. If you have a thyroid that works properly, be thankful. You have no idea how volatile that tiny little gland can be to your well being. I was so much worse off this time last year. I spent months in pain, freezing, sweating, nearly hallucinating and unable to eat or rest. I was in and out of the ER feeling like I was dying. I’m straight up terrified of ever feeling like that again.

I know I don’t need to, but to give a broader picture, here’s what I’m dealing with. Obviously the thyroid issue. I also have type II diabetes, autoimmune issues like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and neuropathy (which causes numbness, nerve pain, and other neurological issues). That’s the physical side.

On the mental side, I have major depression, major anxiety, CPTSD, and ADHD. These are all official diagnoses. I first got diagnosed with depression as a child, and I have had several therapists, medications, intensive therapy programs, etc to try to manage them. I say this because I don’t want to hear that I’ve been self diagnosed and therefore invalid. Which is a terrible attitude to have toward someone dealing with this stuff because not everyone can afford a “legit” diagnosis. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was terminated from my job. I can say that my employers tried to work with me as much as they could, but since FMLA, which provides job protection in situations like mine, doesn’t go into effect until a year after the date of employment, they had no legal obligation to keep me on. I understand it, but it still sucks. 

So now I am trying to navigate applying for disability. I qualify for unemployment benefits, but they are not sufficient to cover my bills. So I am here again, asking for help. I absolutely hate this. I want to be able to handle things on my own, but that’s not possible anymore when I barely have the energy to make it through a day. 

If you can’t tell, I am reading from a script because I go off on tangents if left to improvise. So to keep this from going too long, I would appreciate any help I can get to keep myself going until I can get myself secured with disability or…something. Thank you to everyone that has been able to help so far, I would not be here now if not for all your help. 

Link to the GFM is here: https://gofund.me/e0640a1e

And if you don’t want to use this link, you can also donate via my Venmo @ Dextra-Hoffman (last 4 of my phone is 6036) and my PayPal is under dextra.hoffman at gmail .com. Thanks. 

[thoughtportal]

A group of bacteria has proved adept at destroying the ultratough carbon-fluorine bonds that give “forever chemicals” their name. This finding boosts hopes that microbes might someday help remove these notoriously pervasive pollutants from the environment.

Nearly 15,000 chemicals commonly found in everyday consumer products such as pizza boxes, rain jackets and sunscreens are recognized as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFASs. These chemicals can enter the body via drinking water or sludge-fertilized crops, and they have already infiltrated the blood of almost every person in the U.S. Scientists have linked even low levels of chronic PFAS exposure to myriad health effects such as kidney cancer, thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis.

Current methods to destroy PFASs require extreme heat or pressure, and they work safely only on filtered-out waste. Researchers have long wondered whether bacteria could break down the chemicals in natural environments, providing a cheaper and more scalable approach. But carbon-­fluorine bonds occur mainly in humanmade materials, and PFASs have not existed long enough for bacteria to have specifically evolved the ability to digest them. The new study—though not the first to identify a microbe that destroys carbon-fluorine bonds—provides a step forward, says William Dichtel, a chemist at Northwestern University who studies energy-efficient ways to chemically degrade PFASs.

To identify a promising set of bacteria, the study’s authors screened several microbe communities living in wastewater. Four strains from the Acetobacterium genus stood out, the team reported in Science Advances. Each strain produced an enzyme that can digest caffeate—a naturally occurring plant compound that roughly resembles some PFASs. This enzyme replaced certain fluorine atoms in the PFASs with hydrogen atoms; then a “transporter protein” ferried the fluoride ion by-products out of the single-celled microbes, protecting them from damage. Over three weeks most of the strains split the targeted PFAS molecules into smaller fragments that could be degraded more easily via traditional chemical means.

By directly targeting carbon-fluorine bonds, the Acetobacterium bacteria partially digested perfluoroalkyls, a type of PFAS that very few microbes can break down. Even so, these Acetobacterium strains could work only on perfluoroalkyl molecules that contain carbon-carbon double bonds adjacent to the car­bon-fluorine ones. These “unsaturated” perfluoroalkyl compounds serve as building blocks for most larger PFASs; they are produced by chemical manufacturers and also emerge when PFASs are destroyed via incineration.

Scientists had previously demonstrated that a microbe called Acidimicrobium sp. strain A6 could break down carbon-fluorine bonds and completely degrade two of the most ubiquitous perfluoroalkyls. This microbe grows slowly, however, and requires finicky environmental conditions to function. And researchers do not yet fully understand how this bacterial strain does the job.

The Acetobacterium lines target a separate group of PFASs, and the team hopes to engineer the microbes to either improve their efficiency or expand their reach—potentially to more perfluoroalkyls. Lead study author Yujie Men of the University of California, Riverside, imagines the microbes would perform best in combination with other approaches to degrade PFASs. The range of chemical structures in these compounds means “a single lab cannot solve this problem.”

Any future commercial use of the microbes would face numerous hurdles, including breakdown speed and replicability outside of the lab, but Men looks forward to seeing how far her team can push the technique. “We’re paving the road as we go,” she says with a laugh.

[sanidhyaclinic]

Thyroid Cancer Types and Their Prognosis

Understanding the types of thyroid cancer and their prognoses is essential for individuals facing this diagnosis. While thyroid cancer generally has a favorable prognosis, early detection and treatment remain crucial. Visit here to know about thyroid cancer types and their prognosis.

[iliveinprocrasti-nationn]

having thyroid cancer is a little funny sometimes because everyone and their mother goes “oh my cousin’s friend’s neighbor’s sister had papillary thyroid cancer and she’s fine now, so don’t worry!” like ok thanks for the heartwarming story but i had a different type of thyroid cancer and am also high risk of recurrence because the cancer cells made it to my blood vessels. so

[scummy-writes]

Had the idea to make a little health chart thing for myself and ikemenify it with nurse/doctor chibis.

It's because I have a hard time remembering the conditions I have been diagnosed with (hypo verses hyper thyroidism, for ex.), and also the things I need to worry about that my family has (colon cancer and similar). A handy sheet of information to keep in mind that I always forget.

But like what the hell do you put on it. Blood type, conditions, family history.... hm 📝

[cripplecharacters]

Disabilities that You Should Consider Representing in Your Writing More… part 1

[large text: Disabilities that You Should Consider Representing in Your Writing More… part 1]

While all disabilities are underrepresented in basically all sorts of media, it’s hard to not notice the trend in what disabilities make up the majority of representation. It’s especially visible when having a blog like this, where we can see what disabilities writers even consider including in their writing, and which ones never come up.

One in four people are disabled. With eight billion people alive it means there’s a lot of disabled people, and a lot of reasons why they are disabled in the first place - but this diversity is rarely represented, even on this blog, and anyone who has been following for a while has probably noticed that fact.

To be blunt: there are disabilities other than “amputee” and “invisibly disabled mobility aid user”. Does that mean that it’s wrong to write either of those? No, and we don’t want to imply that it is. Does it mean that either of these have a lot of good representation? Absolutely not, half of all the amputee characters out there are written by people who don't seem to be even aware they're writing a disabled character. Does it mean that when you are deciding on what to give your character, you should think beyond (or along! people can be, and often are, multiply disabled!) just those two? Absolutely. Disability is a spectrum with thousands of things in it.

This is, simply, a list of common disabilities. This is just a few of them, as this is part one of presumably many (or, at least three as of right now). By “common” we rather arbitrarily decided on “~1% or more” - so at least 1 in 100 people has the disabilities below, which is a lot. Featuring!: links that you should click, sources of the % that are mostly just medical reports and might be hard to read, and quick, very non-exhaustive explanations to give you a basic idea of what these are. 

Intellectual disability (about 1.5%) Intellectual disability is a condition we have written about at length before. It’s a developmental disability that affects things such as conceptualization, language, problem-solving, or social and self-care skills. ID can exist on its own or be a part of another condition, like Down Syndrome, Congenital Iodine Deficiency, or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. This post covers a lot of basic information that you might need. We have an intellectual disability tag that you can look through!

Cancer survivors (5.4% in the US, about 0.55% worldwide) A cancer survivor is a pretty self-explanatory term. There is a lot of types of cancer and some of them are very common while others are very rare, which makes this a very diverse category. Cancers also have different survival rates. While not every survivor will have disabling symptoms, they definitely happen. Most of the long-term side effects are related to chemotherapy, radiation, and other medication, especially if they happened in children. They can include all sorts of organ damage, osteoporosis, cognitive problems, sensory disabilities, infertility, and increased rate of other cancers. Other effects include removal of the affected area, such as an eye, a spleen, breasts, or the thyroid gland, each of which will have different outcomes. Cancer, and cancer treatments, can also result in PTSD.

Diabetes (about 8.5%, ~95% of that are type 2) Diabetes is a group of endocrine conditions that cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) for various reasons depending on the type. The vast majority of people have type 2 diabetes, which can cause fatigue, poor healing, or feeling thirsty or hungry. A diabetic person will use insulin when needed to help manage their blood sugar levels. There are many complications related to diabetes, from neuropathy, to retinopathy, and chronic kidney disease, and there's a lot of disabilities that coexist with diabetes in general! You might want to check out the #how to write type 1 diabetes tag by @type1diabetesinfandom!

Disabling vision loss (about 7.5%) Blindness and low vision are a spectrum, ranging from total blindness (around 10% of legally blind people) to mild visual impairment. Blindness can be caused by countless things, but cataracts, refractive errors, and glaucoma are the most common. While cataracts cause the person to have a clouded pupil (not the whole eye!) blind eyes usually look average, with strabismus or nystagmus being exceptions to that fairly often (but not always). Trauma isn't a common cause of blindness, and accidents are overrepresented in fiction. A blind person can use a white cane, a guide dog or horse, or both. Assistive solutions are important here, such as Braille, screenreaders, or magnifying glasses. We have a blindness tag that you can look through, and you might want to check out @blindbeta and @mimzy-writing-online.

Psoriasis (about 2-4%) Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition with multiple subtypes; it can cause intense itching, pain, and general discomfort, and often carries social stigma. It’s an autoimmune and non-contagious disability that affects the skin cells, resulting in raised patches of flaky skin covered with scales. It often (30%) leads to a related condition, psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, tenderness, and fatigue, among other things.

Stroke survivors (0.5-1%) A stroke survivor is a person who has survived any kind of stroke (ischemic, hemorrhagic, etc.). While the specific symptoms often depend on the exact location on where the stroke happened, signs such as hemiplegia, slurred speech, vision problems, and cognitive changes are common in most survivors to some degree. When someone has a stroke as a baby, or before they are born, it can result in cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other disabilities. We have a brain injury tag that you can look through!

Noonan Syndrome (about 0.1-1% - mild is 1%, severe 0.1%) Noonan Syndrome is a disability that is almost never mentioned in any context, but certainly not around the topic of writing disabled characters. It’s a congenital condition that can cause cardiomyopathy, chronic joint pain, hypermobility, short stature, facial differences such as ptosis, autism, and various lymphatic problems among other things. Some people with Noonan Syndrome might use mobility aids to help with their joint pain.

Hyperthyroidism (about 1.2%) Hyperthyroidism is a condition of the endocrine system caused by hormone overproduction that affects metabolism. It often results in irritability, weight loss, heat intolerance, tremors, mood swings, or insomnia. Undertreated hyperthyroidism has a rare, but extremely dangerous side effect associated with it called a thyroid storm, which can be fatal if untreated.

Hypothyroidism (>5%) Hypothyroidism is an endocrine condition just as hyperthyroidism is, and it causes somewhat opposite symptoms. Due to not producing enough thyroid hormones, it often causes fatigue, depression, hair loss, weight gain, and a frequent feeling of being cold. It’s often comorbid with other autoimmune disabilities, e.g. vitiligo, chronic autoimmune gastritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Extreme hypothyroidism can also be potentially fatal because of a condition known as Myxedema coma (or “crisis”), which is also rare.

Deafblindness (about 0.2-2%) Being DeafBlind is often considered to be an extremely rare disability, but that’s not really the case. DeafBlindness on its own isn’t a diagnosis - it can be caused by a wide range of things, with CHARGE syndrome (congenital), Usher syndrome (born deaf, becomes blind later in life), congenital rubella, and age-related deafness and blindness being some of the most common reasons. DeafBlindness is a wide spectrum, the vast majority of DeafBlind people aren’t fully blind and deaf, and they can use various ways of communication. Some of these could be sign language (tactile or not), protactile, the deafblind manual, oral speech (aided by hearing aids or not), the Lorm alphabet, and more. You can learn more about assistive devices here! Despite what various media like to tell you, being DeafBlind isn’t a death sentence, and the DeafBlind community and culture are alive and thriving - especially since the start of the protactile movement. We have a DeafBlindness tag that you can look through!

It’s probably worth mentioning that we have received little to no asks in general for almost all the disabilities above, and it’s certainly not due to what mods answer for. Our best guess is that writers don’t realize how many options they have and just end up going for the same things over and over.

Only representing “cool” disabilities that are “not too much while having a particular look/aura/drama associated” isn’t what you should aim for. Disabled people just exist, and all of us deserve to be represented, including those whose disabilities aren’t your typical “cool design” or “character inspo”, and literally all of us deserve to have good, informed representation. Sometimes we are just regular people, with disabilities that are “boring” or “too much”, and don’t make for useful plot points.

mod Sasza (with huge thank you to mod Sparrow, Rot, and Virus for their contributions with research)

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

The defense lawyer minced no words as he addressed a room full of plastic-industry executives. Prepare for a wave of lawsuits​ with​ potentially “astronomical” costs​. Speaking at a conference earlier this year, the lawyer, Brian Gross, said the coming litigation could “dwarf anything related to asbestos,” one of the most sprawling corporate-liability battles in United States history.

Mr. Gross was referring to PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that have emerged as one of the major pollution issues of our time. Used for decades in countless everyday objects — cosmetics, takeout containers, frying pans — PFAS have been linked to serious health risks including cancer. Last month the federal government said several types of PFAS must be removed from the drinking water of hundreds of millions of Americans.

“Do what you can, while you can, before you get sued,” Mr. Gross said at the February session, according to a recording of the event made by a participant and examined by The New York Times. “Review any marketing materials or other communications that you’ve had with your customers, with your suppliers, see whether there’s anything in those documents that’s problematic to your defense,” he said. “Weed out people and find the right witness to represent your company.”

A wide swath of the chemicals, plastics and related industries are gearing up to fight a surge in litigation related to PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of nearly 15,000 versatile synthetic chemicals linked to serious health problems.

PFAS chemicals have been detected almost everywhere scientists have looked: in drinking water, in rain falling over the Great Lakes, even in Antarctic snow. They are thought to be present in the blood of nearly every American. Researchers have linked exposure to PFAS to testicular and kidney cancers, developmental delays in children, decreased fertility, liver damage and thyroid disease. The man-made chemicals are so long-lasting that scientists haven’t been able to reliably identify how long it might take for them to break down.

PFAS-related lawsuits have already targeted manufacturers in the United States, including DuPont, its spinoff Chemours, and 3M. Last year, 3M agreed to pay at least $10 billion to water utilities across the United States that had sought compensation for cleanup costs. Thirty state attorneys general have also sued PFAS manufacturers, accusing the manufacturers of widespread contamination.

[girlactionfigure]

⚫ Wednesday night - events from Israel  

ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

( VIDEO - Lebanese casually watching IDF strikes against Hezbollah sites and homes with Hezbollah rockets embedded, in the Beka’a. )

⭕IRAQI SHIA MILTIA “Islamic Resistance” DRONES (3) ATTACK - EILAT.. 2 drones were launched into the city - 1 was intercepted, 1 hit and exploded in the port area.  Damage to the Eilat port (which is in only very limited use due to the Red Sea Houthi threat.)  2 workers injured.

⭕17 ROCKET AND SUICIDE DRONE events from HEZBOLLAH at Israel today.

🔹Chief of Staff Halevi in ​​an unusual message: "Hezbollah today expanded the circle of fire, later today it will receive a very strong response.”

🔹Reports from the Lebanese say over 500,000 Lebanese have fled their homes.

🔹US and UK TROOPS deployed to Cyprus, to be ready for assistance of the emergency evac of their citizens from Lebanon.

🔸NEGOTIATION NEWS.. Officials in Israel: There is no negotiation, the red line is to kick Hezbollah beyond the Litani river. ( Which itself is not a solution, as Hezbollah is firing medium and long range rockets which can be fired from central and northern Lebanon and hit Israel. )

.. Officials in Lebanon: Reuters from a senior Lebanese official:  "Hezbollah shows openness regarding any arrangement regarding Gaza and Lebanon.”

▪️TRAVEL WARNING.. National Security Headquarters: Real danger to life for Israelis in the Sinai, Jordan and Turkey. Avoid visiting.

▪️PM WILL TRAVEL TO THE UN - FOREIGN MINISTER KATZ WILL BE ACTING PM.. if Netanyahu is out of touch.

▪️ORDERS THAT MINISTERS.. may not be interviewed about the war, continue.

▪️MOST CONCERTS.. indoor or outdoor, are being cancelled and rescheduled to avoid security concerns.  If you have tickets to a concert, check with the ticket office if it is being refunded or rescheduled.

▪️US SENATORS ACCUSE THE US ADMINISTRATION.. of delaying delivery to Israel of: MK-84 bunker buster bombs, Apache helicopters, and D9 bulldozers.

▪️REMEMBER THE SOLDIERS ARRESTED FOR POSSIBLE PRISONER ABUSE.. The military court ordered to ease the house arrest conditions of the five fighters and to remove the obligation of human supervision over them. The fighters have been under nightly house arrest for about a month since their release from prison after 2 weeks.

▪️(not about Israel, but of interest) RUSSIA THREATENS.. Russian President Vladimir Putin: "We reserve the right to use nuclear weapons in the event that Russia or Belarus is attacked."

▪️ECONOMY.. Will the NIS 200 bill be canceled (to prevent large transactions in cash to avoid financial reporting?) The Bank of Israel disapproves of the idea.

▪️HEALTH.. cancer rates going down in Israel! Decreasing approx. 1.8% per year for men, 2.4% per year for women. The most common types of cancer among men were prostate cancer and lung cancer. Among women, breast cancer was the most common, followed by colon/rectum, lung, thyroid and uterine.

Among men, survival rates have improved from 1996 to today from 58% to 67%, and for women from 64% to 73%.

Israel has a relatively high cancer rate among Western nations, but also lower death rate, 110th on the list.

♦️COUNTER-TERROR OPS - JENIN.. continuing, military bulldozers stripping the roads to uncover landmines in eastern neighborhoods.  Fighters located explosives and destroyed terrorist infrastructure.  A senior target was arrested in Kfar Anza, a number of terrorists were shot and injured.

[wooddove-mark-2]

BREAKING: Donald Trump betrays the American people in horrifying fashion as his Environmental Protection Agency announces plans to loosen restrictions on toxic "forever chemicals" in our drinking water.

MAGA will have to change its slogan to "Give America Cancer Again." And it gets so much worse...

These "forever chemicals," known as PFAS, can persist for hundreds or even thousands of years and have been linked to cancer, kidney problems, thyroid issues, cardiovascular disease, damage to the immune system, and fertility issues.

Republicans spend so much time ranting about birth rates and the need to incentivize having families, but their policies will make it physically impossible for many people to even have children.

President Biden implemented the nation's first-ever limits on six types of PFAS back in 2024 which reduced exposure for 100 million people. They were designed to prevent roughly 9,600 deaths and about 30,000 illnesses in the coming decades.

The Biden rules required that public drinking water systems test for PFAS chemicals and install filter technology by 2029 if the toxins were detected.

The Democratic policy was a massive win for the American people but corporations — particularly water utility companies — were outraged because it negatively affected their profits.

Of course, Republicans will always put the interests of powerful companies before those of the American people, so this Trump reversal is unfortunately entirely predictable.

Under Trump, the EPA will no longer require filtration systems for four of the six PFAS covered under the Biden rule. The remaining two PFAS will have their filtration requirements delayed by two years.

Activist Emily Donovan, whose North Carolina community has faced GenX contamination, criticized the EPA’s decision.

“This current administration promised voters it would ‘Make America Healthy Again’ but rescinding part of the PFAS drinking water standards does no such thing,” said activist Emily Donovan, whose community has experienced PFAS contamination.

"It’s disrespectful to PFAS contaminated communities who have suffered debilitating illnesses and devastating losses. This is a clear victory for the trillion dollar chemical industry — not public health. Americans need to call their members of congress immediately and demand action," she added.

Please like and share!

[the-real-chuuya]

@insufferablewhore

I FINALLY DID IT YAYA

BORZOIS

The borzoi is an old dog breed that was bred to hunt in packs of hundreds and hunt and kill wolves, foxes, boars, and hares. The breed's name comes from the Russian word "borzyi," which means "swift". They are a breed originating in russia during the sixteenth century bred by crossing a saluki, a thick coated russian breed and European sighthounds. These dogs became very popular in the 1917 revolution and for centuries could not be bought and could only be gifted to people by the Tsar

These dogs are powerful working dogs with strong jaws used to immobilize strong prey. These dogs are not good pets as they have intelligent minds and strong bodies that were bred to have high stamina and swift movements. These dogs are commonly used in racing but can also be amazing hunting companions and coarsing dogs! These dogs have very intelligent dogs because they were bred to make their own decisions and are not commonly taught strong obedience commands and tricks. These dogs need chances to make their own decisions and do best if trained with a strong recall and are let in offleash areas often as their mental stimulation. These dogs are fast runners and need an open area to run but are often taught bikejoring or canicross!

These dogs have a few common health problems such as infections, obesity, bloat, thyroid disease, and neurological disease. Being a deep-chested breed bloat is a commonrisk for them and can cause death in many cases! Bloat is when the stomach twists in a way and puts pressure in the heart and lungs and is fatal in most cases!! With their unique body shape and fit bodies obesity is easy to get for these dogs and can counteract their instincts to run and cause joint and other health issues! Cancer is a leading cause of death in many many dog breeds and borzois are more prone to multiple types of cancer. The cancers that borzois are prone to are Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer common is big boned dog breeds such as borzois and Lymphoma a very common cancer in many dog breeds.

Borzois can be great companions if they are given a sport or job to give them outlits for their high energy and intelligence levels. They are prone to neurological disorders if bred badly because of their high intelligence it complicates things in their breeding! Getting a well bred borzoi will make sure that info you look up is reliable and make sure they life happy healthy lives as a purebred borzoi! Their health issues are not as big if a risk as in other dogs because of their history of breeding and purpose! Beibg a sighthound they have high energy and are prone to obesity if not exercised correctly. With all this in mind they make great dogs for many active sports and jobs and are amazing dogs in general

damn that’s sad you spent time on this

[avantahealthcare]

Understanding Thyroid Disorders: Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and overall well-being. When the thyroid malfunctions, it can lead to various health complications that often go unnoticed until they become severe. Understanding the symptoms of thyroid disorders can help in early diagnosis and timely treatment, improving quality of life.

Common Thyroid Disorders

There are several types of thyroid disorders, but the most common ones include:

Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid): When the thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones, leading to slow metabolism and fatigue.

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid): When the thyroid produces excessive hormones, causing rapid metabolism and unintentional weight loss.

Thyroid Nodules: Lumps or growths in the thyroid that may or may not be cancerous.

Goiter: An enlarged thyroid gland, often caused by iodine deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

Thyroid Cancer: A rare but serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Recognizing thyroid disorder symptoms early can prevent severe complications. Here are some key warning signs:

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

Unexplained Weight Gain: Despite normal diet and exercise.

Fatigue and Weakness: Feeling tired even after sufficient sleep.

Cold Sensitivity: Always feeling cold, even in warm environments.

Dry Skin and Hair Loss: Thinning hair, brittle nails, and dry skin.

Depression and Brain Fog: Trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, and mood swings.

Constipation: Slowed digestion leading to irregular bowel movements.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight rapidly without changes in diet.

Rapid Heartbeat and Palpitations: A fast or irregular heartbeat.

Anxiety and Irritability: Feeling restless and agitated.

Heat Sensitivity: Excessive sweating and difficulty tolerating warm temperatures.

Tremors: Shaky hands or fingers.

Frequent Bowel Movements: Increased frequency of stools.

Seeking Medical Help and Long-Term Care

If you experience multiple symptoms, it’s important to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. A simple blood test measuring thyroid hormone levels can confirm whether you have a thyroid disorder.

In some cases, managing thyroid conditions may require specialized medical care, especially for elderly patients or those with additional health concerns. A rehabilitation center in Bangalore can provide support for individuals recovering from severe thyroid-related complications, ensuring they regain strength and mobility. Additionally, for those who require long-term care, palliative care and rehabilitation services can help improve comfort and quality of life.

For personalized care and expert medical support, consider Avanta Healthcare Center helping you or your loved ones manage thyroid health with compassion and expertise.

Managing Thyroid Health

Balanced Diet: Foods rich in iodine, selenium, and zinc support thyroid function.

Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps regulate hormones and maintain a healthy metabolism.

Stress Management: Meditation and yoga can reduce stress, which is crucial for thyroid health.

Medication & Treatment: If diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, proper medication and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms effectively.

Final Thoughts

Thyroid disorders can significantly impact daily life if left untreated. Individuals can manage their condition and prevent complications by recognizing the symptoms early and seeking medical help. Whether it’s through lifestyle changes, medical treatment, or specialized care at a rehabilitation center in Bangalore, taking proactive steps can lead to better health outcomes.

Avanta Healthcare Center offers comprehensive solutions, from rehabilitation and palliative care to ICU setup and nursing care at home. Seeking the right support can improve health and overall well-being.