Long-term Conditions Word Count: 2,200 This essay explores and reflects on the lived experiences of an elderly patient living with the long-term condition (LTC) of psoriasis. A case study is used to illustrate some of the key features of LTCs and the impact they can have on a patient’s physical, psychological and social state. It is also going to be looking at the effect some of the key features can have on a patients support network or family. In addition it will examine the nurses role in the management of LTCs and the health and social policies that may have an impact on the care received by patient with LTCs.
As previously stated, Psoriasis is caused by a mistaken trigger in the Immune system. “Normally, T cells help protect the body against infection and disease.” (NIAMS, 2013) When the disorder triggers the immune system, it causes the T cells to activate and trigger other immune responses. This will develop the redness and scaling of the
Symptoms/ Diagnosis of the Pathology: Red, raised, dry, inflamed, scaly areas on the body and the pitting of the nails describe the common appearance of the pathological disease of psoriasis. Doctors often find it difficult to determine psoriasis because it is very similar to other skin disorders. There are several ways
Psoriasis is a genetic disease due to a misstep occurring in the way that a gene works. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning it has an abnormal response to a body part. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition. Color change associated with the plaques is more obvious where there is
The physician, Galen identified psoriasis as a skin disease through clinical observation. He was the first to call the disease psoriasis. The Greeks has a word for it -psora meaning “to itch”. In 1809, Dr. Robert Willan first recognized psoriasis as a specific clinical entity. Psoriasis is knows as a skin order that forms thick,red, bump patches that are covered with silvery scales. They can appear anywhere on the body,but mostly on the scalp,elbows,knees, and lower back of the body. No one really knows the cause of the disease. However, experts do believe that it has something to do with the immune system that causes inflammation that is triggering new skin cells.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder than can happen to most adults. Psoriasis happens when the cells rapidly build up on the surface of the skin causing the skin to become thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches that are sometimes painful. These symptoms are often found on the elbows, knees, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms and soles of the feet. However, they can also show up in other places as well, such as the fingernails, toenails, genitals and inside of the mouth. Psoriasis is a lifelong disease that can be treated.
Potential Complications There are many complications and comorbidities that can arise from having psoriasis. One of the main complications that arise from having psoriasis is the development of psoriatic arthritis, a condition that affects the person’s joints with pain and inflammation. As the National Foundation for Psoriasis estimates, there are up to 30 percent of those with psoriasis that develop psoriatic arthritis, which can lead to a large risk of developing other conditions like cardiovascular disease, depression, etc. (Comorbidities Associated with Psoriatic Disease. (n.d.)). To the average person, psoriasis may seem like nothing more than a skin condition that can look unsightly. However, psoriasis is so much more than just a skin
Psoriasis treatments aim to: Stop the skin cells from growing so quickly, which reduces inflammation and plaque formation Remove scales and smooth the skin, which is particularly true of topical treatments that you apply to your skin
Psoriasis is a constant immune system infection that for the most part influences the integumentary framework. In the United States, psoriasis is the most common immune system sicknesses, affecting around 7.5 million Americans, or 2 – 3% of the populace. Despite the fact that psoriasis can happen at any age, the mean period of onset for the first event is between 15 – 20 years, with a second crest at 55 – 60 years. While the definite reasons for psoriasis are obscure, the illness happens when a strange insusceptible reaction prompts hyperproliferation of youthful cells of the dermis and epidermis, changed cell separation, and aggravation. The invulnerable reaction connected with psoriasis is T-cell intervened. Lymphocytes will be lymphocytes, or
From helping to dress my mom to getting my youngest siblings ready for bed while my father was at work, I certainly understood the devastating toll autoimmune disorders could have on, not only the person suffering from it, but their loved ones as well. That first year after my diagnosis was the hardest on me emotionally, while being engulfed in scaly plaques changed my physical appearance, it dramatically affected my self-esteem and overall happiness, and by the end of the year I rarely left my room. I knew that serious health conditions posed a threat in patients with severe psoriasis, but, like most teenagers, I was convinced nothing would happen to me. After what seemed like an eternity of hoping my symptoms would naturally vanish, I was exhausted, I was done letting psoriasis control my life. Thereafter, I began seeing dermatologists and with help from my mother, discovered the world of holistic medicine. While conventional medicine helped, I really began seeing changes in not only my skin, but my overall happiness, after I took an alternative
BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a multi-systemic, chronic, inflammatory disease, with the most common manifestations being in the skin and joints.4, 5 It is estimated that 1-3% of the population has psoriasis, though it may be less prevalent in Africa and Asia than other parts of the world.5 Psoriasis is further divided into different categories, the most common of which is plaque psoriasis, which affects 80-90% of patients with psoriasis.4 The defining characteristic of plaque psoriasis is the presence of erythematous, sharply demarcated, scaly, white or silver plaques, which can range in their size and coverage of the body.4 These plaques may be itchy and bleed if disturbed.5 The most common sites for plaques are the trunk, buttocks, scalp, and limbs.4 Additionally about 1/3 of patients with plaque psoriasis also suffer from nail pitting or dystrophy,6 and 1/3 of patients with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, which manifests in the joints.7
It causes itches to the joints, limbs, scalps, and anywhere to the body. Psoriasis can be considered as a lifelong skin disease. Patient with
Terry is a 57 year old male who suffers from severe plaque psoriasis (L40.0), along with arthritis. His symptoms include dusky to deep erythema, very thick tenacious scale predominates on his scalp, face, arms, abdomen, back, genitalia and legs, involving more than 10% of his BSA. He has tried and failed various treatments including taclonex, cultivate, fluticasone, triamcinolone and halog, with little to no relief. He is not a candidate for PUVA or other light therapies due to location of psoriasis. Terry has been dealing with psoriasis for years and the location has caused him embarrassment and a decrease in self-esteem, not to mention affecting his quality of life. Enbrel is his best treatment option at this time. Without this treatment
Psoriasis is a very irritating and annoying skin disease. It is on going and according to WebMD, it is characterized by skin cells that multiply up to ten times faster than normal. (WebMD). When skin cells die, it causes the skin to turn red and scaly. This normally occurs on