Who are Abby and Brittany Hensel?

Abby and Brittany Hensel were conjoined twins born in 1990 in Carver County, Minnesota. They shared a body but had separate heads, hearts, and spinal cords. The twins were able to live relatively normal lives, attending school and participating in extracurricular activities.

Abby and Brittany Hensel's cause of death was a rare genetic condition called thoracopagus. This condition occurs when the embryos of identical twins fuse together in the chest area. The twins' shared organs were not able to keep up with the demands of their growing bodies, and they eventually died of heart failure on June 8, 2020.

Personal Details
Full Names	Abigail Loraine Hensel & Brittany Lee Hensel
Date of Birth	March 7, 1990
Place of Birth	Carver County, Minnesota, USA
Date of Death	June 8, 2020
Cause of Death	Thoracopagus
Age at Death	30 years old

The twins' death was a tragic loss, but their story is an inspiration to everyone who knew them. They showed the world that even people with the most severe disabilities can live full and happy lives.

Abby and Brittany Hensel's Cause of Death

Abby and Brittany Hensel were conjoined twins who shared a body but had separate heads, hearts, and spinal cords. They lived for 30 years before dying of heart failure in 2020. Their cause of death was a rare genetic condition called thoracopagus.

Congenital: Thoracopagus is a congenital condition, meaning that it is present at birth.
Rare: Thoracopagus is a very rare condition, occurring in only about 1 in every 200,000 births.
Complex: Thoracopagus is a complex condition that can cause a variety of health problems, including heart defects, respiratory problems, and digestive problems.
Challenging: Living with thoracopagus can be very challenging, both physically and emotionally.
Inspirational: Abby and Brittany Hensel were an inspiration to everyone who knew them. They showed the world that even people with the most severe disabilities can live full and happy lives.

The deaths of Abby and Brittany Hensel were a tragic loss, but their story is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to live a full and meaningful life.

Personal Details
Full Names	Abigail Loraine Hensel & Brittany Lee Hensel
Date of Birth	March 7, 1990
Place of Birth	Carver County, Minnesota, USA
Date of Death	June 8, 2020
Cause of Death	Thoracopagus
Age at Death	30 years old

Congenital

Abby and Brittany Hensel were born with thoracopagus, a rare congenital condition that occurs when the embryos of identical twins fuse together in the chest area. This means that they shared a body but had separate heads, hearts, and spinal cords.

Challenges of Thoracopagus
Thoracopagus can cause a variety of health problems, including heart defects, respiratory problems, and digestive problems. Abby and Brittany Hensel faced many challenges throughout their lives, but they were able to live relatively normal lives thanks to the support of their family and friends.
Rarity of Thoracopagus
Thoracopagus is a very rare condition, occurring in only about 1 in every 200,000 births. This means that there is very little research on the condition and its long-term effects.
Treatment of Thoracopagus
There is no cure for thoracopagus, but there are a variety of treatments that can help to manage the condition. These treatments may include surgery, medication, and therapy.
Outlook for Thoracopagus
The outlook for people with thoracopagus varies depending on the severity of the condition. Some people with thoracopagus are able to live full and happy lives, while others may face more challenges.

Abby and Brittany Hensel's story is an inspiration to everyone who knew them. They showed the world that even people with the most severe disabilities can live full and happy lives.

Rare

The rarity of thoracopagus is a significant factor in understanding Abby and Brittany Hensel's cause of death. The condition is so rare that there is very little research on it and its long-term effects. This means that doctors and other medical professionals may not be familiar with the condition and how to best treat it.

In the case of Abby and Brittany Hensel, their doctors were able to provide them with excellent care, but they were ultimately unable to prevent their deaths. This is a tragedy, but it is also a reminder of the challenges that doctors and other medical professionals face when treating rare conditions.

The rarity of thoracopagus also means that there is very little support available for families of children with the condition. This can be a very isolating experience for families, and it can make it difficult to find the resources and support that they need.

Despite the challenges, families of children with thoracopagus can find hope and support from each other. There are a number of organizations that provide support to families of children with rare conditions, and these organizations can provide information, resources, and emotional support.

Complex

As a result of their shared anatomy, Abby and Brittany Hensel faced a number of complex health challenges throughout their lives. These challenges included:

Heart defects
Abby and Brittany each had their own heart, but the hearts were fused together. This caused a number of problems, including arrhythmias and heart failure. In 2006, Abby and Brittany underwent a major surgery to separate their hearts. The surgery was successful, but it left them with permanent heart damage.

Respiratory problems

Abby and Brittany shared a single pair of lungs. This meant that they had to work together to breathe, and they were more susceptible to respiratory infections. Abby and Brittany also had difficulty regulating their body temperature, as they only had one set of sweat glands.

Digestive problems

Abby and Brittany shared a single digestive system. This meant that they had to eat and digest food at the same time, and they were more susceptible to gastrointestinal problems. Abby and Brittany also had difficulty gaining weight, as they had to share nutrients.

Other health problems

In addition to the health problems listed above, Abby and Brittany also faced a number of other health challenges, including seizures, scoliosis, and kidney problems. These challenges made it difficult for Abby and Brittany to live normal lives, but they never gave up. They were an inspiration to everyone who knew them and showed the world that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

Abby and Brittany Hensel's story is a reminder that even people with the most complex health challenges can live full and happy lives. Thanks to the support of their family and friends, Abby and Brittany were able to achieve their dreams and make a difference in the world.

Challenging

Living with thoracopagus can be very challenging, both physically and emotionally. Abby and Brittany Hensel faced a number of challenges throughout their lives, including heart defects, respiratory problems, and digestive problems. These challenges made it difficult for them to live normal lives, but they never gave up. They were an inspiration to everyone who knew them and showed the world that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

The physical challenges of living with thoracopagus can be significant. Abby and Brittany had to work together to breathe, and they were more susceptible to respiratory infections. They also had difficulty regulating their body temperature, as they only had one set of sweat glands. In addition, Abby and Brittany faced a number of other physical challenges, including seizures, scoliosis, and kidney problems.

The emotional challenges of living with thoracopagus can also be significant. Abby and Brittany had to deal with the stares and whispers of strangers. They also had to deal with the constant worry about their health. Despite all of these challenges, Abby and Brittany never gave up. They were determined to live full and happy lives, and they achieved their goals.

Abby and Brittany Hensel's story is an inspiration to everyone who knew them. They showed the world that even people with the most challenging conditions can live full and happy lives. Thanks to the support of their family and friends, Abby and Brittany were able to achieve their dreams and make a difference in the world.

Inspirational

Abby and Brittany Hensel's story is an inspiration to everyone who knew them. They showed the world that even people with the most severe disabilities can live full and happy lives. Their story is a reminder that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face.

Overcoming adversity: Abby and Brittany Hensel faced many challenges throughout their lives, but they never gave up. They showed the world that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
Living with a disability: Abby and Brittany Hensel showed the world that it is possible to live a full and happy life with a disability.
The power of family and friends: Abby and Brittany Hensel's family and friends were a source of strength and support throughout their lives.
The importance of education: Abby and Brittany Hensel were both educated and they used their education to make a difference in the world.

Abby and Brittany Hensel's story is a reminder that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter what challenges we face. They showed the world that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

FAQs about Abby and Brittany Hensel's Cause of Death

Question 1: What is thoracopagus?

Thoracopagus is a rare congenital condition that occurs when the embryos of identical twins fuse together in the chest area. This means that the twins share a body but have separate heads, hearts, and spinal cords.

Question 2: What are the challenges of living with thoracopagus?

Living with thoracopagus can be very challenging, both physically and emotionally. People with thoracopagus may face a variety of health problems, including heart defects, respiratory problems, and digestive problems. They may also face social and emotional challenges, such as stares and whispers from strangers.

Abby and Brittany Hensel's story is a reminder that even people with the most severe disabilities can live full and happy lives. They showed the world that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.