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What is Psoriasis? – Medical News Today
knowledge center home eczema / psoriasis all about psoriasis what is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the skin. It is non-contagious. A reddish, scaly rash - often referred to as red, scaly patches - is commonly found over the surfaces of the scalp, around or in the ears, the elbows, knees, navel, genitals and buttocks.
The scaly patches, also known as psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production. Skin quickly builds up in the affected area, because skin production is faster than the bodys ability to shed it. Areas with psoriatic plaques take on a silvery-white appearance.
Unlike eczema, psoriasis is more commonly found on the extensor aspect of a joint.
Psoriasis varies in severity - some patients may only have minor localized patches, while others are affected all over the body. Psoriatic nail dystrophy is common among patients with psoriasis - where the fingernails and toenails are affected. Psoriasis may also result in inflammation of the joints, as may be the case with psoriatic arthritis, which affects approximately 10% to 15% of all psoriasis patients.
Experts are not sure what causes psoriasis. Most believe there is a genetic component that can be triggered by a prolonged injury to the skin. Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, mental stress, and withdrawal of systemic corticosteroid medications are said to be factors that may aggravate psoriasis.
According to the National Health Service, UK, approximately 2% of the British population is affected by psoriasis. People with psoriasis most commonly develop symptoms between the ages of 11 and 45 years. However, it can start at any age.
The human body produces new skin cells at the lowest skin level. Gradually those cells move up through the layers of skin until they reach the outermost level, where they eventually die and flake off. The whole cycle - skin cell production to skin death and flaking off - takes between 21 and 28 days. In patients with psoriasis, the cycle takes only between 2 to 6 days; resulting in a rapid buildup of cells on the skins surface, causing red, flaky, scaly, crusty patches covered with silvery scales, which are then shed.
Psoriasis is a chronic condition - it is long lasting. Some people have periods with no symptoms, while others live with signs and symptoms all the time. For some people psoriases can be seriously disabling.
Although there is no current cure for psoriasis, there are treatments that can help with the symptoms.
According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary:
Psoriasis is A common multifactorial inherited condition characterized by the eruption of circumscribed, discrete and confluent, reddish, silvery-scaled maculopapules; the lesions occur predominantly on the elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk, and microscopically show characteristic parakeratosis and elongation of rete ridges with shortening of epidermal keratinocyte transit time due to decreased cyclic guanosine monophosphate.
The word psoriasis comes from the Greek word psoriasis, meaning being itchy.
This Psoriasis information section was written by Christian Nordqvist for Medical News Today, and may not be re-produced in any way without the permission of Medical News Today.
Disclaimer: This informational section on Medical News Today is regularly reviewed and updated, and provided for general information purposes only. The materials contained within this guide do not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice, which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.
Please note that although you may feel free to cite and quote this article, it may not be re-produced in full without the permission of Medical News Today. For further details, please view our full terms of use
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What is Psoriasis? - Medical News Today
Psoriasis – WebMD Boots
Psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting around 2% of people in the UK.
Different types of psoriasis cause different symptoms, The most common type, plaque psoriasis, causes thick red plaques covered with silvery scales.
Psoriasis image Interactive Medical Media, LLC
The most common areas affected are the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, although any skin surface may be involved. It can also occur in the nails and body folds.
Psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be passed from person to person, but it can occur in members of the same family.
Psoriasis usually begins in early adulthood or later in life. In most people, the rash is limited to a few patches of skin; in severe cases, it can cover large areas of the body. The rash can heal and come back again throughout a person's life.
Psoriasis starts as small red bumps, which enlarge and become scaly. The skin appears thick, but bleeds easily if the scales are picked or rubbed off.
In addition, the rash may produce:
If you have a rash that is not healing, seek medical advice for evaluation of the rash to determine if it is psoriasis.
The signs of psoriasis vary depending on the type you have. Some common signs for plaque psoriasis - the most common variety of the condition - include:
Psoriasis can also be associated with psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain and swelling in the joints. The Psoriasis Association estimates that between 5% and 7% of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis, but this figure rises to about 40% in people who have severe psoriasis.
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is believed that a combination of factors contributes to the development of the condition. An abnormality in the immune system causes inflammation in the skin, triggering new skin cells to develop too quickly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 28 to 30 days. With psoriasis, new cells grow and move to the surface of the skin every three to four days. The build-up of old cells being replaced by new cells creates the silver scales of psoriasis.
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Psoriasis - WebMD Boots
Multiple Sclerosis: Overview & Facts – WebMD
Overview & Causes
Multiple sclerosis is a mysterious, often frustrating disease. Learn what scientists know about MS -- what seems to trigger it, and its effect on the nervous system.
What makes the bodys immune system cause damage to healthy nerves? Learn more about MS and its effect on the brain and spinal cord.
Maybe youve felt exhausted or weak lately. Or your foot is starting to tingle. So you do a quick Internet search and come up with an alarming result: Your symptom is one of thesigns of multiple sclerosis(MS), a disease of thebrainand spinal cord. Before you start to worry, know that many signs of the condition are the same as symptoms of other health problems.
Genetics, the environment, even viruses may play a role in who gets MS.
Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) happens when your immune system attacks your nervous system. Until a few years ago, doctors told people who had one flare that they had possible MS. While CIS can develop into multiple sclerosis, that doesn't always happen.
The most comprehensive genetic study to date ofmultiple sclerosishas pinpointed a cluster of genes on chromosome 6 as playing the major role in causing the disorder.
Multiple sclerosis(MS) andamyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) are different diseases with some similar features and symptoms.
Continue reading below...
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Multiple Sclerosis: Overview & Facts - WebMD
Multiple sclerosis (MS) – Better Health Channel
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic disease of the central nervous system among young Australians. Victoria has more people with MS than any other state in Australia. MS is not contagious, but it is progressive and unpredictable.
MS occurs when the protective sheath (myelin) around the nerve fibres in the brain and spinal cord becomes damaged, causing random patches called plaques or lesions. These patches distort and interrupt the messages that are sent along these nerves. Sclerosis means scarring and the disease is labelled multiple because the damage usually occurs at a number of points.
There are many different health effects of this disease and no two people will share the same symptoms. The cause of MS is unknown and, as yet, there is no cure. However, treatments are available to ease symptoms and slow down the course of the disease.
The different types of MS are:
The progressive form of MS is characterised by a steady worsening of symptoms without any remissions. The symptoms can be any combination of the five major health problems of MS, including:
The trigger to the disease has not yet been discovered, but it is thought that genetic and environmental factors are involved. Research so far has found that, in nearly two thirds of cases, a relapse has been preceded by a viral illness.
Some of the medication treatments available include:
Some alternative therapies that may be helpful include:
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: MS Australia
Last updated: August 2014
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) - Better Health Channel
Parkinson's Disease | Health | Patient.co.uk
Parkinson's Disease – Cedars-Sinai
Every Parkinson's patient experiences a combination of three motor symptoms, which typically worsen over time at a pace that varies from person to person. For most people, symptoms begin on one side of the body and later spread to the other side.
Classic symptoms of Parkinson's disease may include:
Tremor is usually the first symptom people notice, and unlike other tremors, these tremors are typically present when the patient is at rest. Emotional and physical stress tends to make the tremor worse. Sleep, complete relaxation and intentional movement or action usually reduce or stop the tremor. It is important to remember, however, that as many as 30 percent or more of people with Parkinson's disease do not experience tremors.
The muscles of the legs, face, neck or other parts of the body may become unusually stiff or rigid. Another common early sign of the disease is a reduced swing of the arm on one side when the person is walking.
In addition to the four classic motor symptoms, Parkinson's disease can cause a variety of other disabilities as the disease progresses:
Finally, people with Parkinson's disease may experience one or more symptoms that typically do not affect their movements. The most typical nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's disease include:
A person with Parkinson's disease may slowly become more dependent, fearful, indecisive and passive. The person may talk less often, withdraw from people and be inactive unless encouraged to move about. Depression is very common with this disease and can be caused by chemical changes in the brain. Symptoms of depression often improve with proper treatment.
The causes for most forms of Parkinson's disease are unknown. Some evidence indicates that inherited (genetic) factors may predispose some people to develop Parkinson's disease; however, the majority of people with Parkinson's don't have a known gene abnormality. Research has indicated that there may be a connection between Parkinson's and environmental toxins that damage dopamine-producing nerves.
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Parkinson's Disease - Cedars-Sinai
Parkinson's Disease
10 Early Warning Signs of Parkinson's Disease | National …
It can be hard to tell if you have Parkinson's disease.
Here are the 10 signs you might have the disease. No single one of these signs means that you shouldworry. But if you have morethan one symptom you should make an appointment to talk to yourdoctor.
Have you noticed a slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand, chin or lip? Does your leg shake when you sit down or relax? Twitching or shaking of limbs is a common early sign of Parkinson's disease.
Shaking can be normal after lots of exercise or if you have been injured. Shaking could also be caused by a medicine you take.
Has your handwriting suddenly gotten much smaller than in it was in the past? You may notice the way you write words on a page has changed, such as letter sizes are smaller and the words are crowded together. A sudden change in handwriting is often a sign of Parkinson's disease.
Sometimes writing can change as you get older, if you have stiff hands or fingers or poor vision, but this happens over time and not suddenly.
Have you noticed you no longer smell certain foods very well? If you seem to have more trouble smelling foods like bananas, dill pickles or licorice, you should ask your doctor about Parkinson's disease.
Your sense of smell can be changed by a cold, flu or a stuffy nose, but it should come back after you are better.
Do you thrash around in bed or kick and punch while you are deeply asleep? You might notice that you started falling out of bed while asleep. Sometimes, your spouse will notice, or will want to move to another bed. Sudden movements during sleep may be a sign of Parkinson's disease.
It is normal for everyone to have a night when they 'toss and turn' instead of sleeping.
Do you feel stiff in your body, arms or legs? Sometimes stiffness goes away as you move. If it does not, it can be a sign of Parkinson's disease. You might notice that your arms don't swing when you walk, or maybe other people have said you look stiff. An early sign might be stiffness or pain in your shoulder or hips. People sometimes say their feet seem 'stuck to the floor.'
If you have injured your arm or shoulder, you may not be able to use it as well until it is healed, or another illness like arthritis might cause the same symptom.
Do you have trouble moving your bowels without straining every day? Straining to move your bowels can be an early sign of Parkinson's disease and you should talk to your doctor.
If you do not have enough water or fiber in your body, it can cause problems in the bathroom. Alsosome medicine will cause constipation. If there is no other reason such as diet or medicine that would cause you to have trouble moving your bowels, you should speak with your doctor.
Have other people told you that your voice is very soft when you speak in a normal tone, or that you sound hoarse? If there has been a change in your voice you should see your doctor about whether it could be Parkinson's disease. Sometimes you might think other people are losing their hearing, when really you are speaking more softly.
A chest cold or other virus can cause your voice to sound different, but you should go back to sounding the same when you get over your cough or cold.
Have you been told that you have a serious, depressed or mad look on your face more often, even when you are not in a bad mood? This serious-looking face is called masking. Also, if you or other people notice that you have a blank stare or do not blink your eyes very often, you should ask your doctor about Parkinson's disease.
Some medicines can cause you to have the same type of serious or staring look, but you would go back to the way you were after you stopped the medication.
Do you notice that you often feel dizzy when you stand up out of a chair? Feeling dizzy or fainting can be signs of low blood pressure and can be linked to Parkinson's disease.
Everyone has had a time when they stood up and felt dizzy, but if it happens on a regular basis you should see your doctor.
Are you not standing up as straight as you used to? If you or your family or friends notice that you seem to be stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand, it could be a sign of Parkinson's disease.
If you have pain from an injury or if you are sick, it might cause you to stand crookedly. Also, a problem with your bones can make you hunch over.
For more information, visit our Treatment page.
Watch and share this public service announcement featuring U.S. Senator Cory Booker that discusses the early warning signs of Parkinson's disease.
Made possible through the generous support of the Medtronic Foundation and thousands of people with Parkinson's and their families.
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'Perfect Storm' of Inflammation Promotes Diabetes
STD Facts – Trichomoniasis
Most people who have trichomoniasis do not have any symptoms. What is trichomoniasis?
Trichomoniasis (or trich) is a very common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by infection with a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Although symptoms of the disease vary, most women and men who have the parasite cannot tell they are infected.
Trichomoniasis is considered the most common curable STD. In the United States, an estimated 3.7 million people have the infection, but only about 30% develop any symptoms of trichomoniasis. Infection is more common in women than in men, and older women are more likely than younger women to have been infected.
The parasite is passed from an infected person to an uninfected person during sex. In women, the most commonly infected part of the body is the lower genital tract (vulva, vagina, or urethra), and in men, the most commonly infected body part is the inside of the penis (urethra). During sex, the parasite is usually transmitted from a penis to a vagina, or from a vagina to a penis, but it can also be passed from a vagina to another vagina. It is not common for the parasite to infect other body parts, like the hands, mouth, or anus. It is unclear why some people with the infection get symptoms while others do not, but it probably depends on factors like the persons age and overall health. Infected people without symptoms can still pass the infection on to others.
About 70% of infected people do not have any signs or symptoms. When trichomoniasis does cause symptoms, they can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation. Some people with symptoms get them within 5 to 28 days after being infected, but others do not develop symptoms until much later. Symptoms can come and go.
Men with trichomoniasis may feel itching or irritation inside the penis, burning after urination or ejaculation, or some discharge from the penis.
Women with trichomoniasis may notice itching, burning, redness or soreness of the genitals, discomfort with urination, or a thin discharge with an unusual smell that can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish.
Having trichomoniasis can make it feel unpleasant to have sex. Without treatment, the infection can last for months or even years.
Trichomoniasis can increase the risk of getting or spreading other sexually transmitted infections. For example, trichomoniasis can cause genital inflammation that makes it easier to get infected with the HIV virus, or to pass the HIV virus on to a sex partner.
Pregnant women with trichomoniasis are more likely to have their babies too early (preterm delivery). Also, babies born to infected mothers are more likely to have an officially low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds).
It is not possible to diagnose trichomoniasis based on symptoms alone. For both men and women, your primary care doctor or another trusted health care provider must do a check and a laboratory test to diagnose trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis can be cured with a single dose of prescription antibiotic medication (either metronidazole or tinidazole), pills which can be taken by mouth. It is okay for pregnant women to take this medication. Some people who drink alcohol within 24 hours after taking this kind of antibiotic can have uncomfortable side effects.
People who have been treated for trichomoniasis can get it again. About 1 in 5 people get infected again within 3 months after treatment. To avoid getting reinfected, make sure that all of your sex partners get treated too, and wait to have sex again until all of your symptoms go away (about a week). Get checked again if your symptoms come back.
Using latex condoms correctly every time you have sex will help reduce the risk of getting or spreading trichomoniasis. However, condoms dont cover everything, and it is possible to get or spread this infection even when using a condom.
The only sure way to prevent sexually transmitted infections is to avoid having sex entirely. Another approach is to talk about these kinds of infections before you have sex with a new partner, so that you can make informed choices about the level of risk you are comfortable taking with your sex life.
If you or someone you know has questions about trichomoniasis or any other STD, especially with symptoms like unusual discharge, burning during urination, or a sore in the genital area, check in with a health care provider and get some answers.
Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/std
CDC-INFO Contact Center 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 Contact CDC-INFO
Resources:
CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) P.O. Box 6003 Rockville, MD 20849-6003 E-mail: npin-info@cdc.gov
American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) P. O. Box 13827 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827 1-800-783-9877
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015. MMWR, 64(RR-3) (2015).
Sutton M, Sternberg M, Koumans EH, McQuillan G, Berman S, Markowitz L. The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among reproductive-age women in the United States, 2001-2004. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Nov 15;45(10):1319-26.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2014 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, 2015).
Peterman TA, Tian LH, Metcalf CA, Satterwhite CL, Malotte CK, DeAugustine N, Paul SM, Cross H, Rietmeijer CA, Douglas JM Jr; RESPECT-2 Study Group. High incidence of new sexually transmitted infections in the year following a sexually transmitted infection: a case for rescreening. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Oct 17;145(8):564-72.
Hobbs M, Sea EC, Swygard H, Schwebke J. Trichomonas vaginalis and Trichomoniasis. In: KK Holmes, PF Sparling, WE Stamm, P Piot, JN Wasserheit, L Corey, MS Cohen, DH Watts (editors). Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 4th edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008, 771-793.
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STD Facts - Trichomoniasis
Andropause (Male Menopause) – zrtlab.com
Do men have a menopause?
Declining levels of testosterone and DHEA are commonly seen in men beginning in the fourth decade of life. These anabolic hormones are particularly important in men, as they are the major players in maintaining both physical and mental health. For example, they increase energy and decrease fatigue; they help in maintaining erectile function and normal sex drive; and they increase the strength of all structural tissues in the skin, bones, and muscles, including the heart. Proper levels of androgens also help to prevent depression and mental fatigue.
Yes, men do experience age-related changes in their hormone levels.
This hormonal decline, referred to as andropause, often coincides with symptoms of aging in males. The term andropause, named after the male hormones known as androgens, is the counterpart to menopause in women when production of estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries begins to decline. But, the drop is more gradual in men than the hormonal roller coaster so often experienced by women during menopause.
Stress management, exercise, proper nutrition, dietary supplements (particularly zinc and selenium), and androgen replacement therapy with physician guidance have all been shown to raise androgen levels in men and help to counter andropause symptoms.
Yes. Undiagnosed hormonal imbalances are often linked to increased risks for prostate disease, low sex drive, rapid aging, and poor quality of life in general. By having your hormones tested in saliva (Female/Male Saliva Profile I) or in blood spot (Male Blood Profiles I or II), one can identify the specific hormonal excesses and deficiencies associated with specific symptoms. Test results can facilitate safe, appropriate prescribing and adjustment of hormone therapy as needed.
For the best, most-comprehensive assessment of male hormone levels during the andropause years and/or for those men having suspected imbalances of thyroid and/or adrenal function, we recommend our Comprehensive Male Profile II. This profile tests all reproductive (sex) hormones, thyroid, and adrenal hormones with the added bonus of a PSA measurement (essential in men supplementing with testosterone to determine their prostate health status). We also provide a 5-hormone panel in saliva (Female/Male Saliva Profile I) that tests estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S, and cortisol levels. We also recommend Male Blood Profiles (I and II) in blood spot, both of which include: E2, T, SHBG, PSA, DS, C, estradiol, testosterone, SHBG, DHEA-S, and morning cortisol. Male Blood Profile II also tests our Complete Thyroid Profile (TSH, fT3, fT4, TPO).
Saliva testing can measure present hormone levels to identify the extent to which testosterone levels are low. Our test reports indicate an expected range enabling a person to compare his levels to the normal range. Saliva testing can also identify additional androgen hormone levels (such as DHEA-S and cortisol), which may contribute to a low testosterone reading. In blood spot, the level of testosterone available to the cells can be measured in concert with PSA, which is an important prerequisite for initiating testosterone supplementation. We can also provide informational materials for his physician and follow-up resources.
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Andropause (Male Menopause) - zrtlab.com
Male menopause – NHS Choices
Some men develop depression,loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and other physical and emotional symptomswhen they reach their late 40s to early 50s.
Other symptoms common in men this ageare:
These symptoms can interfere with everyday life and happiness, so it's important tofind the underlying cause and work out what can be done to resolve it.
The "male menopause" (sometimes called the "andropause") is an unhelpful term sometimes used in the media to explain the above symptoms.
This label ismisleading because it suggests the symptoms are the result of a suddendrop in testosterone in middle age, similar to what occurs in the female menopause. This isn't true. Although testosterone levels fall as men age, the decline is steadyless than 2% a year from around the age of 30-40and this is unlikely to cause any problems in itself.
A testosterone deficiency that develops later in life (also known as late-onset hypogonadism) can sometimesbe responsible for these symptoms, but in many cases the symptoms are nothing to do withhormones.
Lifestyle factors or psychological problems are often responsible for many of the symptoms described above.
For example,erectile dysfunction,loss of libidoandmood swingsmay bethe result of either:
There are alsophysical causes of erectile dysfunction, such as changes in the blood vessels, which may happen alongside any psychological cause.
Read about the causes of erectile dysfunction.
Psychological problems are typically brought on by workor relationship issues, divorce,money problems or worrying about ageing parents.
A "midlife crisis" can also be responsible. Thiscan happen when men think they've reached life's halfway stage. Anxieties over what they've accomplished so far, either in their job or personal life, can lead to a period of depression.
Read more about the male midlife crisis.
Other possible causes of the above symptoms include:
In some cases, where lifestyle or psychological problems don't seem to be responsible, the symptoms of the "male menopause" may bethe result ofhypogonadism, wherethe testes produce few or no hormones.
Hypogonadism issometimes present from birth,which can cause symptoms like delayed puberty and small testes.
Hypogonadism can also occasionallydevelop later in life, particularly in men who are obese or have type 2 diabetes. This is known aslate-onset hypogonadism and it can cause the "male menopause" symptoms mentioned above. However, this is an uncommon and specific medical condition that isn't a normal part of ageing.
A diagnosis oflate-onset hypogonadism can usually be made based on your symptoms and the results of blood testsused tomeasure your testosterone levels.
If you're experiencing any of the above symptoms, see your GP. They'll ask about your work and personal life, to see if your symptoms may be caused by a mental health issue, such as stress or anxiety.
If stress or anxiety are affecting you, you may benefit from medication or a talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Exercise and relaxation can also help.Read about:
Your GP may also order ablood test to measure your testosterone levels. If the results suggest you have a testosterone deficiency, you may be referred to an endocrinologist (a specialist in hormone problems).
If the specialist confirms this diagnosis,youmay be offered testosterone replacementto correct the hormone deficiency, which should relieve your symptoms. This treatment may be either:
Page last reviewed: 08/04/2016
Next review due: 08/04/2018
Excerpt from:
Male menopause - NHS Choices
Dficit andrognique li l'ge Wikipdia
Un article de Wikipdia, l'encyclopdie libre.
Le dficit andrognique li l'ge (DALA) ou andropause est un phnomne biologique, analogue la mnopause de la femme, qui peut affecter les hommes entre quarante et cinquante-cinq ans. linverse des femmes, les hommes nont pas de jalon net comme la cessation des menstruations pour marquer cette transition. Tous deux, toutefois, se caractrisent par une baisse des niveaux hormonaux. Les strognes chez la femme, la testostrone chez lhomme. Les changements corporels surviennent trs graduellement chez lhomme et peuvent tre accompagns de changements dattitudes et dhumeurs, de fatigue, de perte dnergie, dapptit sexuel et dagilit physique.
Des tudes montrent que ce dclin en testostrone peut fragiliser les hommes avec pour consquence des problmes de sant tels que les maladies cardiaques et la fragilisation des os.
L'andropause a t dcrite dans la littrature mdicale pour la premire fois dans les annes 1940, mais notre capacit la diagnostiquer est relativement rcente. Les tests diagnostiques, indisponibles jusqu' la premire dcennie du XXIesicle, ont permis l'andropause de rester un sujet de dbat parmi les endocrinologues et les professionnels de la sant masculine. L'ide que l'homme g, l'instar de la femme, puisse tre sujet des fluctuations d'hormones sexuelles a t difficile accepter. Aujourd'hui, l'intrt pour l'andropause crot parmi les chercheurs spcialiss en grontologie. Une acceptation inconteste ncessite davantage d'investigation.
Le terme andropause est critiqu car implique une dichotomie (le patient est en andropause ou ne l'est pas) ce qui ne reflte pas la ralit. Le terme hypogonadisme est ainsi prfr par plusieurs socits savantes[1].
Le niveau de testostrone dcrot chez l'homme partir de trente ans, et de 10% par dcennie. Dans le fonctionnement normal du systme hormonal masculin, la majeure partie de la testostrone est lie deux composants sanguins, la SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) et l'albumine qui la transportent et participent sa rgulation. Ils se partagent ainsi entre 97 98%, privant les tissus. Quant aux 2 3% restants, ils sont dits biodisponibles ou testostrone libre. En outre, les sites o la testostrone doit se lier pour tre efficace peuvent tre occups par l'estradiol, strogne prsente aussi chez l'homme qui augmente avec l'ge et le poids. Au-del de soixante ans, une carence en testostrone est frquente.
Leur qualit de vie amoindrie, les hommes de plus de cinquante ans consultent de plus en plus frquemment, se plaignant de ne plus tre l'homme qu'ils taient. Une tude europenne en 2010 estime que 2% de la population tudie est concerne, les insuffisances majeures tant diagnostiques chez 20% des plus de soixante ans (les chiffres de 30% des quinquagnaires sont ceux avancs par le march des rectiles).
Jusqu' rcemment, l'andropause tait mal identifie; les symptmes taient vagues et variaient grandement d'un individu l'autre:
La diminution de production de l'hormone mle est trs progressive: elle dbute vers trente ans et s'tale jusqu'au dcs sur les trois, quatre ou cinq dcennies suivantes. Elle diminue de 1% par an partir de l'ge de cinquante ans, les insuffisances majeures tant diagnostiques chez 20% des plus de soixante ans. Elle n'est pas toujours symptomatique. Aussi, un homme peut vivre de manire optimale au tiers ou la moiti du taux sanguin d'un autre.
En 2010, un questionnaire et diffrents examens biologiques sont raliss sur 3369 hommes gs entre 40 et 79 ans vivant dans huit pays europens: l'tude statistique rvle que sur les 32 symptmes potentiels pouvant tre a priori retenus, neuf, lis une diminution des niveaux de testostrone, ont t slectionns par les chercheurs. Parmi les plus importants: rduction de la frquence des rections du petit matin, effacement progressif des penses avec connotation sexuelle, rduction de la qualit des rections, existence d'une sensation de fatigue, incapacit avoir une activit physique minimale ainsi que des symptmes dpressifs (perte de tonus, sensation de tristesse). Les auteurs de cette tude ont conclu que la prsence de trois de ces symptmes sexuels combins de bas niveaux de testostrone (taux de testostrone totale infrieur 11nmoll-1 et taux de testostrone libre infrieur 220pmoll-1) tait requise pour diagnostiquer l'hypogonadisme chez les hommes plus gs[2].
L'andropause est lie des niveaux de testostrone bas. Tout homme en fait l'exprience, certains davantage. Alors que le concept du niveau normal de testostrone est sujet interprtation, un niveau total de testostrone dans le srum sanguin au-dessus de 350nanogrammes par dcilitre (12nmoll-1) est normal et ne requiert pas de traitement. Un taux infrieur 20ngml-1 (8nmoll-1) peut bnficier d'un traitement[3]. Une valeur intermdiaire porte discussion et mrite d'tre rpt, une supplmentation systmatique dans ces cas n'ayant pas apport la preuve d'une efficacit[4]. Un taux de testostrone libre en de de 6,0picogrammes par millilitre peut faire discuter galement un traitement.
L'apport d'un complment de testostrone sous supervision mdicale est simple: par injection, gel, patch ou cartouche implante. La difficult rside dans le dosage. Lhormonothrapie la testostrone pourrait accrotre la libido, amliorer la qualit des rections, augmenter le niveau dnergie, affermir les muscles et pourrait contribuer une meilleure densit minrale osseuse. La testostrone pourrait aussi retarder le processus de vieillissement. Un excs de testostrone peut, par contre, avoir des effets dplaisants, voire dangereux. Il y aurait un risque potentiellement accru dhypertrophie bnigne de la prostate, de cancer de la prostate (mme si cela n'a pas t formellement dmontr[5],[6]), de cancer du sein, de problmes au foie, dapne du sommeil et de caillots sanguins.
Il existe des contre-indications un apport de testostrone: maladie de la prostate, cancer du sein, hypertrophie musculaire ou problmes psychiatriques graves, apne du sommeil et troubles respiratoires importants.
Les gonadotrophines chorioniques sont des hormones extraites des urines de femmes enceintes qui possdent la proprit de raviver les scrtions des testicules. Ces hormones sont actives si et seulement si les testicules sont capables de rpondre. Elles ont un avantage : aprs deux trois mois de traitement, les testicules redmarrent. S'il y a rechute, une nouvelle cure est indispensable.
Lhormone de croissance stimule la croissance de lenfant et assure chez ladulte la fonction de restaurer les stocks de protines dtruites pendant lactivit de la journe sous leffet de la cortisone. Cette hormone pourrait donc aider le maintien de la musculature de lhomme prenant de lge.
Le sulfate de dhydropiandrostrone est une hormone mle qui est scrte par les glandes surrnales. Le traitement par le sulfate de DHEA pourrait ralentir le vieillissement. Le sulfate de DHEA aurait la capacit de rendre lhormone de croissance plus active. Son efficacit relle reste controverse.
La mlatonine est une hormone de la glande pinale qui permettrait de lutter efficacement contre les troubles du sommeil lis au vieillissement. Cette hormone aurait le pouvoir de ralentir le vieillissement artriel. Elle pourrait aussi stimuler le systme immunitaire dont lefficacit diminue avec lge. Certains chercheurs affirment que la mlatonine stimulerait aussi lactivit sexuelle.
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Testosterone Replacement in Men with Andropause: An Overview
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Menopause Types | Your Hormones
The http://www.YourMenopauseType.com website has been merged into http://www.YourHormones.com.
Menopause&Your Menopause TypeMenopause is a time of transition and change in a womans life that results in permanent ending of reproductive fertility and the end of monthly menstrual cycles. This change typically occurs when a woman is in her late 40s to early 50s. By definition, menopause is recognized when a woman hasn't menstruated for 12 months. If a woman misses a few periods, then has a period, then menopause is not considered to have taken place until 12 months after that last period. The hormonal changes that occur with menopause can be different in each woman. In some women estrogen levels drop dramatically, in other women the estrogen drop is not as severe and may actually stay adequate enough to be beneficial for the rest of the womans life. The same can occur with progesterone, it may become quite low, or it may remain adequate enough to be of benefit to the woman even though she will no longer have the higher amounts of progesterone that happen in the second half of the month. Likewise, testosterone levels can become low. In some women the testosterone can actually become elevated. These different possibilities of hormone changes were first presented in my book Discover Your Menopause Type. Before discussing the different types, lets focus on the transition and change. Perimenopause is the time around menopause. It includes the 12 months that have to pass before we can say that menopause has taken place. In addition, it can also include those years leading up to menopause where symptoms related to menopause start to appear. During perimenopause a woman may start to experience hot flashes, night sweats, changes in sleep, mood changes or other symptoms for over a year or even years - before her menses even starts to change. During this time of transition, hormone production and hormone function is very variable. Months of severe symptoms may be followed by months that are symptom free. The menses can become quite irregular, with some cycles becoming shorter and some becoming longer. So during perimenopause a woman who has always had 28 day cycles may start to have shorter cycles and or longer cycles. Perimenopause can last from as little as the 12 months required to make the determination that menopause has actually taken place as long as five years of irregular cycles and fluctuating symptoms. A woman is in perimenopause until she has not menstruated for 12 months. The various possibilities of hormone changes typically become more evident during perimenopause. For instance, some women start to notice the increasing testosterone and will have acne and oily skin appear, while others experience a dramatic drop of testosterone and experience decreased motivation and a loss of libido. The perimenopause is when the uniqueness of hormonal changes becomes manifest. It is the time to start using the protocols based on each Menopause Type.
Postmenopause is 12 months after the last menstrual cycle. So, if it has been 12 months and one day since her last menses, then a woman is, by definition, postmenopause. Menopause is what happened 12 months ago. She can now say, I went through menopause a year ago. A postmenopause woman can still experience hot flashes, night sweats, changes in sleep, mood changes or other symptoms for many years after menopause has occurred. The intensity of symptoms will vary depending upon which hormones changed, and how much those hormones have changed. It is very important that a woman identify which hormone changes have taken place and what her new hormone pattern is. Does she still have enough progesterone, but low estrogen and low testosterone? Different hormone changes are associated with different symptoms and different risks for disease. The hormone patterns that occur will have an effect on a womans health and quality of life for the rest of her life. My book Discover Your Menopause Type was written to promote personalized and individualized care of women. A one-size-fits-all approach to menopause is never a good idea.
Personalized healthcare requires that every one-size-fits-all model be rejected. This is never truer than in menopause. By rejecting a one-size-fits-all model of menopause we are left with a new definition of menopause and a wider range of therapies. Even beyond hormones we realize that each woman has a need, and a right, to determine how she will manage her menopause. Her choices may include diet, other lifestyle choices, nutrition, herbs, etc. By recognizing that each woman has a different hormone needs, as well as different nutritional needs, we redefine menopause and the management of menopause as follows:
"Menopause is a transition that may show up in many different ways.There are actually 12 different Menopause Types.Treat each woman according to her own Menopause Type.Treatment choices must include diet, lifestyle, nutrition,herbs, hormone precursors and natural hormones." by Joseph J. Collins, RN, ND
How much can menopause vary from woman to woman?In menopause we now recognize that some women may have low estradiol, while others continue to always have adequate amounts of estradiol. We also recognize that while some women truly are deficient in progesterone, other women continue to always have adequate amounts of progesterone. We also realize that while some women have testosterone deficiency, and others have adequate amounts of testosterone, there are some women who have excessive testosterone levels. These various patterns are discussed in Discover Your Menopause Type. These patterns can persist into the seventh decade of life and beyond.
In menopause there are a number of possibilities:
Estradiol & progesterone are both adequate. Estradiol is deficient. Progesterone is deficient. Estradiol & progesterone are both deficient.
Add to those four possibilities the fact that:
Testosterone may be normal. Testosterone may be low. Testosterone may be high.
To Discover Your Menopause Type:Take the Menopause Type Questionnairenow (free).
By reviewing the chart below, you can see the twelve Menopause Typesas well as the Hormone Specific Formulations that are best for eachMenopause Type.Click on the chart below to go to the 12 Menopause Type Protocols.
The 12 Menopause Types
The management of menopause first required recognizing what Menopause Type a woman is experiencing. Treatment choices must include diet, lifestyle, nutrition, herbs, hormone precursors and natural hormones. For herbal therapies, specific hormone health formulations can address the primary hormone imbalances of each Menopause Type. Secondary hormone health imbalances such as poor thyroid function, and/or poor insulin/glucose function can be also be addressed by hormone health formulations designed for those dysfunctions.
For more information on natural approaches to menopause and on how to cutomize treatment choices please see: Protocols for each menopause type and the protocols for specific menopause symptoms.
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Menopause Types | Your Hormones
Kentucky Autism Services and Supports
Find providers in your area
The demands of caring for an individual with autism are great, and families frequently experience high levels of stress.
Often, the lack of appropriate services adds to the frustration of families.
To increase the awareness of currently available resources, the Kentucky Autism Training Center is gathering information about services to create an Kentucky Autism Supports and Services Directory.
The goal of the Kentucky Autism Services and Supports Directory is to include all providers who serve individuals with disabilities in Kentucky.
To be added to the Kentucky Autism Services and Supports Directory submit your organization application online. If you have any questions you can contact us at katc@louisville.edu or (502) 852-4631.
Please be aware that there is no implied endorsement of the listed programs in the Kentucky Autism Supports and Services Directory by the KATC. The purpose of the Kentucky Autism Services and Supports Directory is to help parents and professionals share information. It is recommended that parents speak to a representative of the program before enrolling their children, to ensure that the interests, skills, talents and needs of each child can be met in the program.
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Kentucky Autism Services and Supports
What Is Psoriasis? Pictures of This Common Skin Condition
What Is Psoriasis? What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a common, chronic skin disease. A person with psoriasis generally has elevated plaques of raised red skin covered with thick silvery scales. Psoriasis is usually found on the elbows, knees, and scalp but can often affect the legs, trunk, and nails. Psoriasis may be found on any part of the skin.
Psoriasis is not an infection and therefore is not contagious. Touching the affected skin and then touching someone else will not transmit psoriasis. However, the red scaly skin can become infected, especially when there are fissures.
The immune system plays a key role in psoriasis. In psoriasis, a certain subset of T lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) abnormally trigger inflammation in the skin as well as other parts of the body. These T cells produce chemicals that cause skin cells to multiply abnormally quickly, as well as producing changes in small skin blood vessels, which result ultimately an elevated scaling plaque of psoriasis.
Psoriasis has a genetic basis and can be inherited. Some people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis. Just because a person has genes that would make him more likely to have psoriasis doesn't mean he will have the disease. About one-third of people with psoriasis have at least one family member with the disease. Certain factors trigger psoriasis to flare up in those who have the genes.
Environmental factors such as smoking, sunburns, streptococcal sore throat, and alcoholism may affect psoriasis by increasing the frequency of flares. Injury to the skin has been known to trigger psoriasis. For example, a skin infection, skin inflammation, or even excessive scratching can trigger psoriasis. A number of medications have been shown to aggravate psoriasis.
Psoriasis flare-ups can last for weeks or months. Psoriasis can go away for a time and then return.
Plaque psoriasis is the most common type of psoriasis and is characterized by red skin covered with silvery scales and inflammation. Plaques of psoriasis vary in shape and frequently itch or burn.
Approximately 1%-2% of people in the United States, or about 5.5 million, have plaque psoriasis. Up to 10% of people with plaque psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis. Individuals with psoriatic arthritis have inflammation in their joints that could result in permanent joint damage if not treated aggressively. Recent information indicates that most patients with psoriasis are also predisposed to obesity, diabetes, and early cardiovascular diseases. It is now becoming apparent that psoriasis is not just a skin disease but can have widespread systemic effects.
Sometimes plaque psoriasis can evolve into more severe disease, such as pustular or erythrodermic psoriasis. In pustular psoriasis, the red areas on the skin contain blisters with pus. In erythrodermic psoriasis, a wide area of red and scaling skin is typical, and it may be itchy and uncomfortable.
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 7/16/2015
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What Is Psoriasis? Pictures of This Common Skin Condition
Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options STELARA
STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with moderate or severe plaque psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or phototherapy (treatment using ultraviolet light alone or with pills).
STELARA is a prescription medicine approved to treat adults 18 years and older with active psoriatic arthritis, either alone or with methotrexate.
STELARA is a 45 mg or 90 mg injection given under the skin as directed by your doctor at weeks 0, 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter. It is administered by a healthcare provider or self-injected only after proper training.
STELARA can make you more likely to get infections or make an infection that you have worse. People who have a genetic problem where the body does not make any of the proteins interleukin 12 (IL-12)Proteins that increase the growth and function of white blood cells, which are found in your immune system. and interleukin 23 (IL-23)Proteins that increase the growth and function of white blood cells, which are found in your immune system. are at a higher risk for certain serious infections that can spread throughout the body and cause death. It is not known if people who take STELARA will get any of these infections because of the effects of STELARA on these proteins.
Cancers
STELARA may decrease the activity of your immune systemA system inside the body that protects against germs and infections. and increase your risk for certain types of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who had risk factors for skin cancer developed certain types of skin cancers while receiving STELARA. Tell your doctor if you have any new skin growths.
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)
RPLS is a rare condition that affects the brain and can cause death. The cause of RPLS is not known. If RPLS is found early and treated, most people recover. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems including: headache, seizures, confusion, and vision problems.
Serious Allergic Reactions
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms such as: feeling faint, swelling of your face, eyelids, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, throat or chest tightness, or skin rash.
Before receiving STELARA, tell your doctor if you:
When prescribed STELARA:
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Full Prescribing Information, including the Medication Guide for STELARA, and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.
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Plaque Psoriasis Treatment Options STELARA