Genetics and Genetic Disorders

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Genetics and Genetic Disorders

‘Don’t Give Up:’ Parents’ Intuition Spots a Rare Illness Before Doctors Do

Parents usually know their child better than anyone, and if a parent suspects something is wrong,...
Gene Test Might Someday Gauge Your Cardiac Arrest Risk

Sudden cardiac death is terrifying because it’s exactly that — one minute you’re fine and the...
Exercise Can Help Prevent Depression, Even for Those at High Risk

Getting more exercise could help ward off depression, even if you have a genetic risk for...

More Genetics and Genetic Disorders News

For This Mom, Rare Bone Disease Is a Family Affair
Most people expect some risk in activities like mountain biking or rollerblading, but few...
- Posted September 13, 2019
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How Your Genes Affect the Number on Your Scale
Could your genes be keeping you from losing weight? While you shouldn’t use a...
- Posted September 12, 2019
- 8
Kids in Poor Neighborhoods Face Higher Odds for Obesity as Adults
Growing up in a poor neighborhood significantly increases kids’ odds of becoming obese adults,...
- Posted September 6, 2019
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Lifestyle May Matter More Than Your Genes in Early Heart Disease
An unhealthy lifestyle is a bigger contributor to heart disease than genetics for many...
- Posted September 2, 2019
- 5
‘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...
- Posted August 19, 2019
- 9
Hair Loss Not Just a Male Problem
The sad sight of a receding hairline is not limited to men, a dermatologist...
- Posted August 2, 2019
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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...
- Posted July 29, 2019
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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
- 10
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
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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
- 5
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

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.