Posted: | August 6, 2015 02:05 PM |
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From: | Senator Ryan P. Aument |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Chiari Awareness Month |
In the near future, I plan to introduce a Resolution designating September 2015 as Chiari Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Chiari Malformation, a serious neurological condition, is frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood, even by many in the medical community. Improving awareness is an important step in ensuring those who suffer from this condition receive prompt and adequate treatment. In patients with Chiari Malformation, the cerebellum descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine and restricting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This compression can cause severe health consequences including extreme headaches, nerve damage, loss of certain motor functions, dizziness, weakness, vision loss, heart palpitations, balance issues, cognitive issues, sleep apnea and depression. Many who suffer from this disease without a proper diagnosis end up bed-ridden or in a wheelchair due to neurological damage. Additional information on this disease is available online at www.conquerchiari.org. This condition is especially close to our colleague and friend, Jason Thompson, who works in the Senate Communications Office, as his wife, Christina, was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation in March 2013. Please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution to bring attention and awareness to this serious condition. |
Introduced as SR192