Speech 8th Cycle

THE LAST BREATH

Speech 8th Cycle 2013

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By: Mariela Yesenia Chambi Yolanda

Quispe Cáceres

Speech 8th Cycle 2013

Did you know that sleep can cost

your life? or not? Well don’t worry,

this is one of the ten most bizarre

diseases that occur in humans. In

fact, there have been only about

200 to 300 cases worldwide who

suffer this sickness.

Ondine's disease or primary

alveolar hypoventilation is caused

for one or more PHOX2B gene

mutations, which can cause death by suffocation. Therefore, an innocent little

afternoon nap could have serious consequences. In fact, a severe case of this

disease is when it appears at birth and most infants die without a scientific

explanation about what had happened.

Usually, when a normal person sleeps, breathing stops working voluntary and

involuntary mechanisms are breathing, which take the responsibility of the body.

Thus, a person suffering Primary alveolar hypoventilation has disrupted

involuntary mechanisms so that with a low oxygen in the blood, that is to say,

that there wasn’t an increase of respiration.

However, there are people who have been living with this disease, in other

words, this illness is presented in a low level, where the patient can live but

can’t sleep well and feels headaches and an increase in his red blood cells.

On the other hand, it becomes dangerous if you suffer this sickness since birth

and a lot of new born babies die without knowing why.

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THE LAST BREATH

Speech 8th Cycle 2013

The name to this disease is based on Germanic mythology, where Ondine was

a water nymph. She was very beautiful and (like all nymphs) immortal. Ondine

fell in love with a brave knight - Sir Lawrence - and they were married. When

they exchanged vows, Sir Lawrence said, "My every waking breath shall be my

pledge of love and faithfulness to you." A year after their marriage Ondine gave

birth to Lawrence’s son. From that moment she began to age. As Ondine’s

physical attractiveness diminished, Lawrence lost interest in his wife.

One afternoon, Ondine was walking near the stables, she heard the familiar

snoring of her husband. When she entered the stables then saw Sir Lawrence

lying in the arms of another woman. Ondina quickly woke her husband, she

pointed and said his curse: “You swore faithfulness every breath that you gave

while you were awake and accepted your promise. While you stay awake, you

can breathe, but if you ever get to sleep, you wont breath and you'll die.

Finally one day he didn’t resist and died.

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Speech 8th Cycle 2013

CONCLUSIONS

The curse of Ondine is a mortal sickness

It’s caused by a gene mutation

Treatment depends on the severity of the case

SUGGESTIONS

This disease requires a lot of care from parents

Investigate possible hereditary cases

Needs to be informed of the latest treatments

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