Laura’s Fight Like a Girl Story

As a kid, I always thought I had psoriasis, and I got laughed at for it. I also had mild cerebral palsy and bipolar disorder. I never, in all my life, thought I had Lupus! I thought I only had CP and the psoriasis.

Well, I started having symptoms of bipolar disorder at age 17, but wasn’t diagnosed with that until age 27. During the 2000’s, I would skip my period some months. I also started having frequent joint pain and I would feel wiped out sometimes. I just thought I was in my depressive phase of the bipolar disorder, which also runs in the family.

Then, my mom and sister both had high ANA and later tested negative for lupus. Then, in the summer of 2010, my blood pressure was high, so I went to the doctor. He said that it was not high and ordered some blood work for me. A month later, he said my cholesterol was high and that I had a high ANA. Three months later, I was tested for Lupus, but wasn’t formally diagnosed until October 2011. My rheumatologist is giving me meds this week.

Article Source: http://www.fightlikeagirlclub.com/2012/07/lauras-fight-like-a-girl-story-lupus-mild-cerebral-palsy-bi-polar-disorder/

Psoriasis Treatment in Singapore

Home Remedies To Alleviate Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a complex disease of the skin. What makes it complex is the fact that it is incurable, because the problem is directly related to some malfunction of the immune system. There is a need to first correct the disorder happening inside the body before the reddening and flaking of the skin can be stopped. In the meantime, there are home treatments available to alleviate the symptom.

What’s Inside the Medicine Cabinet?
Dietary supplements are known to help control symptoms of psoriasis, especially if they contain evening primrose oil, milk thistle, vitamin D or fish oil. Direct application of fish oil on the affected skin surface has been effective for some patients.

Air Moisture Should Be Maintained
Keep the air moist. This is to avoid drying out the skin, which can be very painful. One may also use skin moisturizers for the same purpose.

Stop Using Perfumes and Dyes
Use skin products that are especially formulated for sensitive skin and avoid using products that have fragrances and dyes in them. These ingredients are irritating to the skin and can only worsen the condition.

What Foods to Eat?
Good management of psoriasis entails keeping watch on the diet. Fatty foods and red meat are a big no-no. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends eating cranberries, nuts, soy and chocolate.

What Oils Can Do
Vegetable oil and olive oil have also been found to work wonders for psoriasis patients. Apply the oil on the affected area to keep it moist. In the process, nutrients necessary for healing are also kept from escaping from the area. You can also try massaging the oil on your scalp to get rid of stubborn plaques.

What Water Can Do
Your dermatologist might tell you to be careful with hot water, because it can burn the skin. For psoriasis cases, however, bathing with lukewarm water is highly recommended. Put some olive oil, milk, mineral oil or Epsom salt in lukewarm water. The mixture will help relieve itching and loosen obstinate plaques and scales. Use a moisturizer after the bath for maximum benefits.

Conclusion: No Single Answer
The key to relief is right management, but there’s no single Psoriasis treatment that works for everyone. What you can do is apply the suggested home remedies here. As you go along, you will discover the kind of treatment that brings the best relief for you. Some of the treatments mentioned here may even aggravate the condition rather than bring relief. When that happens, discontinue using those treatments.

In any case, it is important that you keep your surroundings clean as well as employ the best hygienic practices. Also, keep yourself updated with the latest researches on psoriasis and its treatments.

Article Source: http://www.extremehealthradio.com/home-remedies-to-alleviate-psoriasis/

Psoriasis Treatment in Singapore

When Acupuncture Does Not Work

Many people believe acupuncture does not work. Sometimes this is an uninformed assumption, but often it’s a belief held by those who have tried acupuncture to little or no avail. So, why didn’t acupuncture work for these people?

While living for eight years in China, where I gave and observed thousands of acupuncture treatments, I identified certain commonalities among people who have success with acupuncture. Since being back in the U.S., I’ve noticed that many of these things apply here as well. People who see positive results from acupuncture share several characteristics.

Here are three key requirements for effective acupuncture care.
Gotta Get the Right Dose

In today’s world, instant gratification is in high demand. People who are new to acupuncture often expect immediate results, and stop coming when they don’t get them. Rome was not built in a day, and acupuncture is not going to solve your problems overnight.

Acupuncture works cumulatively, meaning one treatment builds on the next.

I consider a course of treatment to be 10 sessions, received once weekly or more often, depending on the severity, chronicity and urgency of the problem. The first 10 sessions commonly produce some improvement, or even complete recovery. But again, it depends on the nature of your condition.

Certain acute problems—for example, neck stiffness and pain, muscle strains and sprains from sports injuries, early-stage carpal tunnel syndrome—typically resolve in five-to-ten sessions, sometimes less.

Chronic diseases, especially those associated with functional weakness of organs or low immunity, require long-term treatment. Examples of these more chronic conditions include most cases of infertility, asthma, allergies, some skin disorders like psoriasis and neurological diseases.

Urgent conditions, such as severe migraines or post-operative pain, may require two to three treatments per week until symptoms are controlled, followed by less frequent visits until the condition is stabilized. Eventually, you can go down to once a month or less for maintenance.

Similar to how medications are ineffective unless you take the prescribed dose, if you don’t get acupuncture frequently enough—consistently, and within an appropriate time frame—it is unlikely to yield the desired result.

Article Source: http://acutakehealth.com/when-acupuncture-does-not-work

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious.

There are five types of psoriasis. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.

Psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the U.S. As many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.

Scientists believe that at least 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only 2 percent to 3 percent of the population develops the disease. Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, the individual must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to specific external factors known as “triggers”.

Psoriasis triggers are not universal. What may cause one person’s psoriasis to become active, may not affect another. Established psoriasis triggers include:

Stress
Injury to skin
Medications
Although scientifically unproven, some people with psoriasis suspect that allergies, diet and weather trigger their psoriasis. Strep infection is known to trigger guttate psoriasis.

Article Source: http://justagirlwithspots.com/about-psoriasis/

The trouble with psoriasis…

One of the troubles with psoriasis is that even when you’re doing all the right things – eating well, exercising, taking vitamins, moisturizing ALL of the time – sometimes it still has a mind of its own and it gets ya! I find it really hard to control my psoriasis this time of year. There’s the holiday stresses, the work stresses, the travel stresses and this year I’ve added wedding planning to the mix.

But I’m excited to share that after 3 months of visiting and 50+ email inquiries, we have finally booked the venue for our December 7, 2013 wedding! It’s a huge relief to have booked the place, gotten the dress and our officiant. I plan on shelving the wedding planning until after the new year to focus on those other stresses and enjoying my last Christmas as a Reece. I’m also trying really hard not to worry about being covered in spots on my big day. My dress shows a lot of back and arms, exactly where I’m broken out right now. Now I know that at the end of the day, I’ll be married to the man I love (who also happens to be a Photoshop genius to fix the photos) but of all the days, that’s the one I want to be clear for. I don’t think stressing about something for a year will do anything positive so I’ll have to find a way to focus my energies only on the things that I can control.

So these days I’m pretty itchy, but I’m in better shape than I was this time last year. I’ve been using some new products, which I’ll be writing about this week (and you should definitely come back and read up for your chance to try them for yourself!) The weekends have been a little more relaxed on diet and exercise, but I’m doing well during the week sticking to a routine.

So even though my psoriasis has a mind of its own these days, I need to keep myself from getting frustrated and keep up what I’m doing. Even though there’s a ton going on, so much of it is exciting and fun. I got a text from my 10-year old cousin earlier who is beyond excited from Christmas reminding me that it really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Article Source: http://justagirlwithspots.com/2012/12/10/the-trouble-with-psoriasis/

Home Remedies for Psoriasis Relief

Sometimes psoriasis leaves my skin so tight and uncomfortable that I wish I could step out of my own body. There are times when it feels like my skin is a size too small for my body, similar to how my pants feel after Thanksgiving dinner. One of my goals for 2013 is to explore and research natural remedies for treating psoriasis. I decided to start with a few that I’ve used when I’m feeling particularly uncomfortable and needed some extra oomph:

1. Olive Oil

After a night shower, I rub a little bit of olive oil directly onto the dry patches. Be sure to wear soft clothing that you don’t mind getting ruined. It’s a greasy feeling, but you’ll wake up with your skin still feeling moisturizer. In doing some additional research, I learned that due to its emollient properties, olive oil will keep the drying skin supple and less prone to damage, while the anti-oxidants will encourage normal skin growth. Another way to use olive oil as a treatment is to combine 2 teaspoons with a large glass of milk and then add the mixture to your bath water. Or if you are dealing with psoriasis on your scalp, massage some warm olive oil on your scaly patches. It will help soften the dead skin and make it easier to remove. Tip: Put the olive oil into a spritz bottle to avoid a huge puddle and excess oil in your hands.

2. Plastic wrap

I’ve mentioned this before but it’s a really great option for pinpointing stubborn spots or areas that are particularly irritating. After applying your medication or moisturizer, wrap your body in plastic wrap to help keep the application in place and keep it on your body instead of rubbing off on your clothes or bedding. The plastic wrap is an odd feeling to get used to, especially sleeping in a hot room. For the first few times, it may be easier to wrap up one or two spots so you get used to the odd feeling.

All cases of psoriasis are unique, so I ask you not to get frustrated if any of the home remedies do not work immediately for you. These home remedies are not designed to replace the current treatment plan that you’ve worked on with your healthcare provider. They are to help provide instant (overnight) relief when you are feeling uncomfortable. The severity of your psoriasis usually drives how often you frequent your dermatologist, but sometimes insurance and health care coverage is the reason. Always check with your insurance company or explore alternatives such as Aviva health insurance to understand what your options for treatment are.

Article Source: http://justagirlwithspots.com/2013/01/14/home-remedies-for-psoriasis-relief/

Psoriasis Treatment in Singapore

Psoriasis & the New Kid

Being the new kid always sucks and it’s a time when first appearances are a big deal. I’ve been on the new job now for almost two weeks, but this story stems from meeting my clients on Monday.

My new clients are located down in Fort Lauderdale and wanted to meet me right away, so one week into my new gig I flew down to meet them on their turf. In typical fashion, I packed late Sunday night and went for the most stylish Fort Lauderdale business attire that my closet could produce. My skin was also in great shape so I decided to go for it and pack sleeveless.

Notice I said “was” in great shape. My psoriasis is like that; one day I’m good and the next is a nightmare.

But by the time I noticed this time, it was too late to re-pack. I was great on Sunday night and by Monday mornings arrival in Florida my arms were a mess. I left for the airport at 5am, so in all fairness I wasn’t the most alert and my only focus was on not missing my flight. But there I was with only sleeveless blouses meeting my clients in 2 hours for the first time. The relationship between agencies and brands are a critical one. Like anything, that relationship is what drives a successful partnership, so being the main point of contact for the agency is an important role.

So now I had two hours to get my head on straight and focus on impressing them with the vast knowledge of their business that I had gained in the past week. All said and done, I believe that the initial meetings went well and that nobody was focused by the spots on my arms (except me at first).

I hate that my skin always becomes the center of the universe when I should be focused on more important things, like meeting my clients and learning to be the best at my job. I hate that it gives me even a second of doubt and dips my confidence at such crucial times.

Even with those moments of doubt, I’m glad that I was able to overcome my personal stressing to focus on the task at hand. Psoriasis is what it is and I just need to keep reminding myself of that.

Article Source: http://justagirlwithspots.com/2013/04/26/psoriasis-the-new-kid/

Blog Source: http://justagirlwithspots.com/

Psoriasis Treatment in Singapore

Ladies, It’s Time To Ditch Your Brazilian Wax

Nufree “wax” is the next generation of hair removal… for starters, it’s not actually wax.

When my editor asked me to try a new hair removal method, I was pumped. As a beauty writer, I’m always looking to test out new products and services.

When asked what part of my body I planned on making smooth, I volunteered my lady business, despite never having had a wax down there. Many of my friends get Brazilian waxes and swear by them, but because I have sensitive skin, I’ve been hesitant to try one. I had heard horror stories about wax burning or ripping friends’ skin down below, and well… enough said. After reading about the Nufree system, however, I decided to put my money where my bikini line is and try it out.

Nufree is a hair-removal system similar to waxing except it doesn’t contain any wax, honey or sugar and is antibacterial and antimicrobial, which sounded perfect for my sensitive skin. Plus, the company doesn’t test on animals, which is a bonus because I try to only use beauty products that are animal-friendly.

Still, being a bikini-waxing virgin, I was nervous as I walked into the Massage Therapy Center in LA for my appointment. Both the receptionists and my esthetician, Brigitte, put me at ease. I voiced my concern about what often happens when I remove hair from any part of my body since I have a type of psoriasis that does not appreciate hair removal; typically, I get bumps and redness that last for a couple days, if not longer. Brigitte informed me that indeed Nufree works well for those with sensitive skin, and as she spread the warm product on me, I began to relax a bit.

Now, have I mentioned I was terrified of the pain? In addition to fearing the repercussions for my sensitive skin, I had heard how much a bikini wax hurts, especially when it’s your first time. I won’t lie: Each strip caused me to flinch a bit, but any time a hair follicle is being extracted, it’s not going to feel great! It got easier after the first few strips, and I found I was calm enough to have a conversation with Brigitte and actually enjoy each warm application of Nufree.

Article Source: http://www.yourtango.com/2012164214/ladies-time-ditch-your-brazilian-wax

Psoriasis Treatment in Singapore: Herose Pharma

Study finds new genetic links to psoriasis

An international research team has published data from a group of studies, which have uncovered new genetic variants associated with the autoimmune disease, psoriasis.

Psoriasis affects approximately two to three percent of the European population and is caused when the body’s immune system signals the skin cells to divide at a higher rate than normal. The most common form of the disease, psoriasis vulgaris, causes scaly, itchy patches of skin to form, which are often uncomfortable and can be painful.

One of the published studies, conducted by scientists from the Genetic Analysis of Psoriasis Consortium and the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium Two performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on individuals with psoriasis and a control group free from the condition, looking for small genetic variations known as SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms).

They uncovered eight regions not previously identified with psoriasis, including seven regions known to contain genes linked with immune function. Six of these were confirmed by an earlier European study that analysed the genomes of over 9,000 people.

The scientists also discovered evidence of a strong interaction between two independent genetic regions, HLA-C and ERAP1 associated with the condition, which – when linked in this way – are thought to greatly increase the risk of developing the disease.

Professor Richard Trembath from King’s College, London who co-led the study said: ‘Through our research, and other studies now coming through, the research community have identified genes that play a role in people’s susceptibility to the condition’.

At present, treatment options for psoriasis are limited and complex, but experts hope that this new information may provide new leads for the development of better treatment for psoriasis and related disorders.

Dr James Elder of the University of Michigan Health System who leads a related American study said: ‘The goal is to guide the pharmaceutical companies toward a better understanding about which cells are working and which ones are causing trouble so that medicines can be made to stop the trouble’.

The results were reported across five papers published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Article Source: http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_73371.asp

More information on Psoriasis in Singapore: www.herosepharma.com

Dating With Psoriasis

Dating is rarely easy for anyone. But when you live with a disfiguring skin disease like Psoriasis, you have another layer of anxiety to add to the everyday stresses of finding a partner. For many people living with the condition, insecurities about their appearance and fear of rejection get in the way of romance. But having psoriasis doesn’t have to prevent you from finding your happily ever after—and in some ways, it might even help.

How to break the news

Unlike sexually transmitted diseases, psoriasis is not contagious. But as with STDs, most people want to explain psoriasis to people they’re dating so that they’re prepared when they see it and understand they can’t catch it. That’s tricky, because you may fear that telling the truth is a one-way ticket to rejection.

The common question people ask is, will my condition be the deal-breaker? If it is, it’s a sign that the relationship wasn’t meant to be. In that way, the disease serves almost as a litmus test for future mates by separating the good from the bad right out of the gate.

If clothing covers your lesions, you have a little more time to broach the topic. Here’s how to do it when you’re ready.

Article Source: http://blackdoctor.org/3083/dating-with-psoriasis/

Blog Source: http://blackdoctor.org/category/health-conditions/psoriasis/

Psoriasis Treatment in Singapore