Founded in 2005, The APS Foundation of America, Inc. (APSFA) is the leading United States nonprofit health agency dedicated to bringing national awareness to Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS), the major cause of multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, young strokes and heart attacks. We are a volunteer run, community based 501(c)3 non-profit Public Charity organization and is dedicated to fostering and facilitating joint efforts in the areas of education, support, public awareness, research and patient services.
Have You...
- Downloaded the latest volume of "Antiphospho...What?"?
- Checked out our links page?
- Joined our online support forum?
- Shopped in our Cafepress* and Zazzle* stores for APS, Lupus, Infant Loss (& many more!) awareness items?
- Sent a family member or loved one flowers through our FlowerPetal* shop?
- Watched the videos on our YouTube page?
- Joined our mailing list to receive our newsletters and updates?
- Read how you can help the APSFA?
- Joined us on Facebook or Twitter?
- Submitted your patient story for our quarterly newsletter?
- Seen our segment on "Mystery Diagnosis" called "Falling Through the Cracks"? You can buy it now on iTunes!
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Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome
What is Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS)? APS is associated with recurrent clotting events (thrombosis) including premature stroke, repeated miscarriages, phlebitis, venous thrombosis (clot in the vein) and pulmonary thromboembolism (blockage of an artery found in the lung due to a clot that has traveled from a vein). It is also associated with low platelet or blood elements that prevent bleeding. Recently, however, even more disease states have been linked with APL including premature heart attack, migraine headaches, various cardiac valvular abnormalities, skin lesions, abnormal movement/chorea, diseases that mimic multiple sclerosis, vascular diseases of the eye that can lead to visual loss and blindness.
APS is an autoimmune disorder in which the body recognizes certain normal components of blood and/or cell membranes as foreign substances and produces antibodies against them. There are two known forms of APS. APS may occur in people with systemic lupus erythematosus, other autoimmune disease, or in otherwise healthy individuals. Sadly, when most people hear about APS and it being referred to as autoimmune disease, they incorrectly confuse the terms autoimmune with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS); or they think this is a form of cancer.
Lack of knowledge and awareness results in needless suffering for persons with APS. Misdiagnosis and / or delayed diagnosis usually result in damage to vital organs. The APS Foundation of America, Inc's vision is to bring national attention to APS as a common factor in multiple miscarriages, thrombosis, young strokes and heart attacks is vital in order to bring a joint effort to research, funding, early detection, and eventually, prevention and cure for APS.
APS is also referred to as APLS or APLA in the United States and Hughes Syndrome or Sticky Blood in the UK.
NEED IDEAS
- momofsixangels
on May. 3, 2012 at 8:44 AM