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The National Psoriasis Foundation – A Vital Support Network

Friday, December 11th, 2009

The National Psoriasis Foundation has been providing up to date information and a valuable community setting for people with all types of psoriasis since it was founded in 1966 (Portland, Oregon).  The NPF offers a variety of useful services including a newsletter with the latest studies and treatment options as well as an established system of message boards that people with psoriasis to talk about their experiences together.  This represents a huge network of resources, all spurred on by the efforts of this non-profit organization. The general goal of the National Psoriasis Foundation from the beginning until now has been to raise money for psoriasis research and, through a grass-roots effort, organize as many people as possible to into a world-wide support network.

Now serving over one million people afflicted with psoriasis, the National Psoriasis Foundation is currently dedicated to helping fund research for a cure for psoriasis. Their funding has been the driving force behind a great deal of the major advancements towards a cure in the past few decades. With an estimated 2% of the population in the USA alone suffering from psoriasis, this is truly an issue that requires attention. It is no wonder that the NPF’s research efforts have been widely applauded.

Directed by a Board of Trustees, the National Psoriasis Foundation is made up of a community of volunteers. Each trustee has an equal say in how the foundation is run and where the funding should go. In any case, benefitting all sufferers of psoriasis is their primary goal.  One of the requirements to be on the Board of Trustees is to experience the effects of psoriasis, either personally or through a loved one, so that compassion can be one of the driving forces behind their actions.  Any new developments are posted to their newsletter, which is sent out to members on a regular basis.

For those interested in learning more about the National Psoriasis Foundation and the goals they aspire to, their website (Psoriasis.org) is a good place to start. There is a host of helpful data both about the disease itself as well as where to go for additional information, including potential treatment options. There are also message boards on the site, which are a good resource for those with psoriasis or for those with loved ones who are afflicted.  This is an ideal place to learn more about others’ experiences and have valuable discussions about coping mechanisms and different treatments that have been helpful according to different people’s real world experience.

Posted in Psoriasis | 1 Response »

University of Utah Dermatology Dept. Finds Strong Genetic Link to Psoriasis

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

According to an article published through the University of Utah’s website (utah.edu), researchers at the university’s dermatology department have found a definitive link to psoriasis through a gene variation, “HLA-Cw*0602.”

As you may have already heard, the extreme complexity DNA structures makes genetic research in general very… well, complex.  However with the advent of new technology, such as the new DNA scanners used in this study (which are not names specifically), it is becoming more and more feasible to pinpoint exactly what genetic variations give rise to inherited conditions such as psoriasis.

According to the aforementioned article, researchers at the University of Utah made this discovery by scanning the genetic code of 1,359 people with psoriasis, the result of which they then compared to 1,400 people without psoriasis.  As a result of these scans (in which 500,000 variations were investigated) 18 of these variations or “single nucleotide polymorphisms” (SNP’s) were singled out as likely candidates for causing psoriasis.  Thus, an additional 10,000 people (5k with and 5k without) were able to be more efficiently scanned, to further narrow down the cause of the disease, which they found to be HLA-Cw*0602 as well as MICA/HLA-B and c6orf10.

When all three of these variations are present, a person is much more likely to develop psoriasis.

The purpose of these studies is to discover the root cause of psoriasis — this should guide researchers to figure out how to counter-act this cause.  They are most likely seeking a cure for baldness (which has also been found to be a genetic issue) in much the same way.  Thus, if scientists can figure out how to knock any SNP back into place, they might release a cure for baldness and psoriasis in short succession.

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Methotrexate — More isn’t Better

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

According a recent study done by researchers in Berlin, if a patient taking methotrexate (MTX) for psoriasis does not show significant improvement in after 12 weeks, then increasing dosage will most likely not improve their condition.  According to this report, the maximum dosage recommended for anyone taking MTX for psoriasis is 20 mg per week.  This weekly dose should be split up into at least two administrations to minimize immediate side effects such as nausea.

How does methotrexate work?

MTX hinders cell reproduction by blocking DNA synthesis (this is a vital part in in the cellular reproductive process).  It is especially adept at blocking hyper-proliferating cells such as those affected by psoriasis or cancer.  It is also used as an immunosuppressant to battle conditions that affect the immune system such as arthritis, Crohn’s disease or psoriasis.

How is methotrexate administered?

MTX can be administered either orally or via injection.  Taking it in pill form is most common when it is used to treat psoriasis.

Why are doctors hesitant to prescribe more than 20 mg of methotrexate per week?

MTX is also used to treat cancer, and you have probably heard of the some of the harsh side-effects that cancer treatments tend to have.   In smaller doses, which are appropriate for psoriasis patients, it still can cause some serious side effects, including long-term liver damage and drops in white blood cell counts.  The main benefit of methotrexate — that is hinders cell re-production — can also wreak havoc on other parts of the body.

What are some of the brands names used to market methotrexate?

MTX is marketed under the brand names Trexall and Rheumatrex.

A syringe filling with methotrexate solution (courtesy of Flickr):
methotrexate syringe injection

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Big Money in the Psoriasis / Health Industry

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

I found a company called “ResearchAndMarkets.com” that does market research based on a variety of different real-world scenarios so that investors can figure out which companies would give the best return for their money.  In this case, I found a link here to a report about the drug market in relation to psoriasis (treatments for psoriasis) that would cost you about $15,000.00 (depending on how you want that information packaged).

I deduce from this cost that there must be a lot of money in the drug market.  Of course, there is a lot of money floating around in the stock market in general… but the medical industry in particular stands to increase by huge margins for the indefinite future.  This is one of the main reasons why health care costs are supposed to rise steadily.  The general verdict I get from the news is, health care will get less expensive when people don’t get sick any more.

New age drugs such as the biologics designed to treat psoriasis come with a particular hefty price tag.  If you have decent benefits from your employer (or wherever), then your insurance will cover most of this cost… but even a small fraction of tens of thousands of dollars can be expensive for the average person who is struggling just to keep gas in the car.

A solution to this issue might be to find less expensive, more natural means of treating psoriasis.  Otherwise, if there is no other way around these exorbitant costs, then it will come down a battle between insurance companies, drug companies and the regular working class who ultimately pays for everything.

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