Genetics and Genetic Disorders

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Genetics and Genetic Disorders

‘Dr. Google’ Helps Some Patients Diagnose a Rare Disease

A middle-aged woman had persistent symptoms that doctors couldn’t explain. Frustrated, she took an increasingly common...
Hair Loss Not Just a Male Problem

The sad sight of a receding hairline is not limited to men, a dermatologist says. Hair...
One Gene Change 2 Million Years Ago Left Humans Vulnerable to Heart Attack

As far as scientists know, humans are the only species that get heart attacks linked to...

More Genetics and Genetic Disorders News

How to Protect Your DNA for Big Health Benefits
You might think that stress affects you only emotionally or that a lack of...
- Posted July 16, 2019
- 11
Alzheimer’s Genes Might Show Effects in Your 20s
Every college student misplaces keys or forgets an appointment from time to time. Usually...
- Posted June 27, 2019
- 16
Gene Test Might Someday Gauge Your Heart Attack Risk
Can a DNA test predict a person’s future heart health? Perhaps, researchers say. A...
- Posted June 11, 2019
- 11
Sperm DNA Damage May Lead to Repeat Miscarriages: Study
When couples experience recurrent pregnancy loss, it’s natural for them to want to know...
- Posted March 25, 2019
- 17
High Testosterone Levels Are Bad News for the Heart
High testosterone levels can drastically increase a man’s risk of heart failure and stroke-causing...
- Posted March 7, 2019
- 0
Happiness in Marriage May Rest in Your Genes
Your long-term happiness in marriage may hinge on the genes you and your partner...
- Posted March 1, 2019
- 14
Health Tip: Know Your Family’s Medical History
(HealthDay News) — Having full knowledge of your family health history is empowering and...
- Posted February 6, 2019
- 13
Gene-Linked Iron Disorder More Common Than Thought
The most common genetic disorder among northern Europeans — called hemochromatosis — occurs more...
- Posted January 17, 2019
- 9
Decoding Newborn’s DNA Could Pinpoint Hidden Risks
A program that maps out the genes of newborns has allowed researchers to identify...
- Posted January 4, 2019
- 5
Could Pot Harm Men’s Sperm?
New research shows that marijuana causes genetic changes in sperm, though it’s not clear...
- Posted December 19, 2018
- 0
Many Americans Unaware of Promise of Targeted, ‘Personalized’ Medicine: Poll
Medical science has made tremendous advances in “personalized medicine” — drugs that fight cancer...
- Posted December 6, 2018
- 16

Are You Living with Psoriasis?

A growing knowledge of the skin disease called psoriasis is leading to greater treatment choices, including personalized therapies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports.

Psoriasis is an immune system disorder that causes overproduction of skin cells, resulting in scaling, pain, swelling, redness and heat. The condition affects about 7.5 million Americans.

“As we better understand the disease, researchers know more about what specific factors to target in order to develop effective treatments,” FDA dermatologist Dr. Melinda McCord said in an agency news release.

There is no cure for psoriasis, so the main goals of treatments are to stop skin cell overproduction and reduce inflammation. Current therapies include medicines applied to the skin (topical), light treatment (phototherapy), or drugs taken by mouth or given by injection.

Doctors used to take a step-by-step approach, starting patients with mild to moderate psoriasis on topical therapy. If that was ineffective, doctors moved on to phototherapy or drug treatment.