Download What`s that itch? - Paris Community Hospital

December 2013
staying
What’s that itch? healthy
Psoriasis: no cure
but manageable
For some people, the constant
itching and unsightly appearance
of psoriasis is a nuisance. For
others, it is a disabling condition,
especially when associated with
arthritis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that speeds up the growth
cycle of skin cells. About 7.5
million Americans have psoriasis,
according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
1 There are several types of
psoriasis. The most common
type is plaque psoriasis, which
produces patches of thick red
skin (plaques) covered with
flaky white or silvery scales. The
patches are dry, itchy, and may
be painful. Patches are typically
found on the elbows, knees,
scalp, lower back, face, hands,
and feet. They can also affect the
fingernails, toenails, and mouth.
Other types of psoriasis include
the following:
• Guttate appears as small, red
spots on the torso, arms, legs,
and scalp. It often comes about
suddenly, affecting mostly people
younger than age 30. It is usually
triggered by a bacterial infection,
such as strep throat.
• Psoriatic arthritis causes pitted
discolored nails and swollen
painful joints that are typical of
arthritis. Although the disease
usually is not as crippling as other forms of arthritis, it can cause
stiffness and progressive joint
damage. The National Psoriasis
Foundation estimates 10 to 30
percent of people with psoriasis
also have psoriatic arthritis.
• Inverse psoriasis causes
smooth patches of red, inflamed
skin that mainly affect the armpits, groin, under the breasts,
and around the genitals. It is
more common in overweight
people with deep skin folds.
• Pustular psoriasis is uncommon and characterized by white
blisters of noninfectious pus
surrounded by red skin. It is
primarily seen in adults and may
be limited to certain areas of the
body, such as the hands and
feet.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis is the
least common type of psoriasis.
It can cover the entire body with
a red, peeling rash that can itch
or burn intensely.
Jeremy Youse, MD
Dr. Youse is a
dermatologist
affiliated with
Christie Clinic.
He treats pa2 Psoriasis occurs mostly in
tients with skin
adults and is not contagious. The
problems, such
National Psoriasis Foundation
as acne, rashes,
notes that one-third of people
hives, and skin
with psoriasis have a family
member with the disease.
tumors. He also performs Mohs
micrographic surgery for skin canMost types of psoriasis may flare cer removal. Dr. Youse earned his
up and then subside, or even
medical degree at the University
go into remission. But in most
of Missouri-Columbia School of
cases, the disease eventually
Medicine. He completed fellowreturns.
ships in surgical dermatology,
Mohs micrographic surgery, and
3 Although there is no cure for
cutaneous oncology at the Mayo
psoriasis, some treatments may
Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Dr.
help relieve symptoms. These
Youse is certified by the American
include nonprescription creams
and ointments, exposure to small Board of Dermatology and Ameriamounts of natural sunlight, and can College of Mohs Surgery.
His is a member of the American
prescription medications.
Academy of Dermatology.
Jeremy Youse, MD, dermatoloSarah Minarick, PA-C, works with
gist, and Sarah Minarick, PA-C,
Dr. Youse as a certified physidermatology, will begin treating
cian assistant in Christie Clinic’s
patients in the PCH/FMC Visiting Department of Dermatology. She
Specialty Clinic December 2. To
earned her master’s of science
make an appointment, call 217degree at the University of Ne366-1248.
braska Medical Center.
Are you pumping
too much iron?
As your heart beats, blood is
being sent throughout your
body to deliver oxygen to
the cells of your body. Iron is
an important component for
transporting that oxygen. But
absorbing too much iron can be
toxic for the body. This problem
is a genetic disorder called
hemochromatosis.
Hemochromatosis occurs when
there is a mutation in the gene
that controls the body’s iron
absorption from food intake.
This mutation causes the body
to take in too much iron and
stores it in the tissues of major
organs, such as the liver, pancreas, and heart. The excess
iron ends up in these organs
because the body does not
have a way to get rid of it.
This disorder is difficult to
detect because the symptoms
are shared with other common
conditions. Possible symptoms
include joint pain, fatigue,
abdominal pain, loss of sex
drive, and heart problems. If
the disorder is not caught and
treated early, complications of
the liver, pancreas, heart, and
reproductive problems can
occur. Some people may also
experience skin color changes.
Though hemochromatosis can
cause serious damage, only
10 percent of cases have iron
overload to the degree of causing tissue and organ damage
(Mayo Clinic).
To diagnose hemochromatosis, two blood tests need to be
performed. A serum transferrin saturation measures the
amount of iron in the blood,
and a serum ferritin checks the
amount of iron stored in the
liver. Additional testing like a
liver function test and MRI may
be necessary to check the liver
for any damage.
Hemochromatosis can be
treated easily by removing the
excess iron with a phlebotomy,
a process where blood is
removed the same way when it
is drawn from donors at blood
banks. The amount of blood to
be removed and the frequency
of the phlebotomies depend on
how great the iron overload.
Once iron levels have returned
to normal, patients do not
need this procedure as often.
Medications are available for
patients with anemia or heart
complications.
PCH/FMC’s Community Healthcare Programs
December & January
Grief Workshops
December 5 & 10
PCH/FMC will present “Coping With Grief During the Holidays,” a
workshop for anyone experiencing sadness and loss over the holiday
season. The December 5 workshop will take place from 10 to 11:30
am. The December 10 workshop will take place from 6 to 7:30 pm.
Both take place in Conference Room A. The content is the same for
each workshop. Choose the one that is convenient for you. To register
for either event, call 217-465-2606, Ext. 290.
Monthly Health Screenings
December 10 & 12; January 14 & 16
Blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipid panel (HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) screenings will be held in the Visiting Specialty Clinic from 7 to 9
am each day. Fasting for eight hours in advance is required. The cost
is $25. To register, call 217-465-2606 (or toll free 1-866-465-4141),
Ext. 228.­
The most common type of this
disorder is hereditary hemochromatosis. Approximately five
out of every 1,000 people are
susceptible of developing the
condition, and one out of every
8 to 12 people are carriers, according to the National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Hereditary hemochromatosis
mostly affects Caucasians of
northern European descent,
and it is identified in males
sooner than females.
Another form is juvenile hemochromatosis, where iron
accumulates earlier and symptoms begin in people between
the ages of 15 to 30. This type
causes the same problems for
young people as hereditary hemochromatosis does in adults.
Neonatal hemochromatosis is a
severe version of the disorder
in which a developing fetus has
iron building up rapidly in the
liver. Other diseases such as
anemia, chronic liver disease,
or infection can cause iron
deposits, called secondary
hemochromatosis.
If you experience any of these
symptoms, contact your health
care provider to talk about having your iron levels tested.
staying
healthy
Shoulder Pain Seminar
December 12
John Rowe, MD, orthopedic surgeon at PCH/FMC, will discuss
“Shoulder Pain and Bone Health” from 6 to 7 pm at the Eagle Ridge
Golf Club in Paris. The event is sponsored by the DePuy orthopedics
company. Refreshments will be provided. To register, call 312-8606037.­
Christmas Chocolate Sale
December 12 & 13
The PCH Volunteers will host their annual Christmas South Bend
Company Chocolate Sale from 7 am to 3 pm near the FMC rotunda
entrance. The sale will offer many kinds of chocolates, including sugar-free, as well as boxed and specialty gift boxes, fruits, fresh roasted
nuts, crunches, and fresh coffee and condiments. Cash, checks, and
credit cards will be accepted.
“Staying Healthy” is a free monthly publication brought to you by Paris Community Hospital and the Family Medical Center network as part of our ongoing
commitment to community and family health. For questions and comments, call 217-465-2606, Ext. 287.