Management
There is currently no cure for FD. There are only two treatment centers, one at New York University Hospital and one at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel. One is being planned for the San Francisco area. Although the FD-causing gene has been identified and it seems to have tissue specific expression, there is no definitive treatment at present.A major issue has been aspiration pneumonia. Fundoplications (by preventing regurgitation) and gastrostomy tubes (to provide non-oral nutrition) have reduced the frequency of hospitalization. Other issues which can be treated include FD crises, scoliosis, and various eye conditions due to limited or no tears.Treatment of FD remains preventative, symptomatic and supportive. FD does not express itself in a consistent manner. The type and severity of symptoms displayed vary among patients and even at different ages on the same patients so patients should have specialized individual treatment plans. Medications are used to control vomiting, eye dryness, and abnormal blood pressure. Common management strategies include: artificial tears, appropriate feeding strategy (maintenance of adequate nutrition, avoidance of aspiration (thickened formula and different shaped nipples for infants)), daily chest physiotherapy (nebulization, bronchodilators, and postural drainage) for chronic pulmonary disease, pharmaceutical management of autonomic features (e.g. intravenous or rectal diazepam, or rectal chloral hydrate), preventing accidental injury, prevention of orthostatic hypotension (hydration, leg exercise, frequent small meals, a high-salt diet, and medication (e.g. with fludrocortisone)), treatment of orthopedic problems, compensating labile blood pressure.Parents and patients should be informed regarding daily eye care and early signs of corneal problems, as well as punctal cautery.
Polishing the stone or cleaning it by ultrasonic or steamer must be done with caution. See also
Ametrine
List of minerals
Specimen Ridge Minerals portal

References

Kostov, R. I. 1992. Amethyst. A Geological-Mineralogical and Gemmological Essay. Union of Scientists in Bulgaria, Sofia, 249 p. (in Bulgarian with English abstract)
Lieber, W. 1994. Amethyst. Geschichte, Eigenschaften, Fundorte. Christian Weise Verlag, München, 188 S.