Reye Syndrome

Definition of Reye's Syndrome

Reye's syndrome (RS) is primarily a disease of children, although it can occur at any age. It affects all organs of the body namin is the most dangerous in the brain and liver - causing an acute increase of pressure in the brain and, often accumulation of fat mass in the liver and other organs.

RS is defined as two-phase illness because it generally occurs in connection with previous viral infection, such as flu or chicken pox (chicken pox). The disease generally occurs during recovery from viral infection, although it can also develop 3 to 5 days after onset of viral disease. RS is often misinterpreted as encephalitis, meningitis, diabetes, drug overdose, poisoning, infant death syndrome suddenly, or peyakit psychiatric (mental).

The symptoms of Reye's Syndrome

The symptoms of Reye syndrome include:

persistent or recurrent vomiting,
lethargy,
personality changes including irritability or attack,
disorientation or confusion,
delirium (delirium),
convulsions, and
loss of consciousness.

If symptoms are present during or immediately after a viral illness, medical attention should be sought. The symptoms of RS in infants do not follow the typical pattern, for example, vomiting does not always happen.

The cause of Reye's Syndrome

The cause of RS remains a mystery. However studies have shown that using aspirin or medications containing salicylate to treat viral illnesses increases the risk of developing RS. The doctor should be consulted before giving a child any aspirin or anti-nausea drugs during a viral illness, which may hide the symptoms of RS.

Is There Treatment for Reye's Syndrome?

There is no cure for RS. Successful management, which depends on early diagnosis, is mainly shown on protecting the brain against damage that can not be reversed by reducing brain swelling, reversing the metabolic injury, preventing complications in the lungs, and anticipating cardiac arrest (heart stopping). It has been learned that several errors of metabolism inborn mimic RS in which the first manifestation of these errors may be encephalopathy with liver dysfunction. Diseases in should be considered in all cases of suspected RS. Some evidence suggests that treatment in the final stages of RS with hypertonic IV glucose solutions may prevent progression of the syndrome.

Prognosis (Expectations) By Reye Syndrome

Healing of the RS is directly linked to the severity of brain swelling. Some people recover completely, while others may hold various degrees of brain damage. The cases where the disease continues rapidly and the patient falls into a coma have a poorer prognosis than those with less severe disease progression. Those statistics indicate that when RS is diagnosed and treated at dininya stages, the chances are very good recovery. If the diagnosis and treatment was delayed, the chances for successful recovery and kelangsunagn life is greatly reduced. Unless RS is diagnosed and treated successfully, death is common, often within a few days.

Additional Information

Which Aspirin Type Safe?

None. All medications are labeled as "aspirin" or have the products should be avoided aspirin in it, regardless of whether their brand name or generic aspirin. The chemical name for aspirin is acetyl salicylate or acetylsalicylic acid.

Which Medications Are Free Or Prescribed Prescription Safe?

Not necessarily so. Just because a drug is not called "aspirin", it does not mean he is free from aspirin. Many drug-free prescription drugs containing aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), or sodium or bismuth salicylates which are chemically related to aspirin. Also, some topical products may contain aspirin.