Botox Takes the Cake while Psoriasis Makes the Cut
Living with psoriasis is difficult in and of itself. And perhaps even more challenging then having psoriasis is the ongoing struggle for patients and their dermatologists in finding treatment method to effectively provide relief to their agonizing skin irritation.
Recently, a story surfaced on the evening news exposing a disturbing health care issue on the rise in America. This particular story centered on dermatologists’ and the discrepancy the number of days medical patients must wait to be seen for health concerns covered by medical health insurance vs. patients scheduling cosmetic treatments and procedures paid upfront and not covered by insurance.
The news segment reports patients seeking an appointment for examination of potentially cancerous lesions have to wait substantially longer to be seen than those patients requesting cosmetic enhancement such as Botox® injections for wrinkles and other elective procedures.
The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology published a similar study in August of 2007 reported in 12 selected cities from around the US, cosmetic patients were able to get in to see the dermatotagists with considerable less time to wait compared to patients with medical issues and health concerns.
On average there was an eight day wait for a cosmetic patient requesting Botox® injections to smooth wrinkles, compared to the average wait of 26 days for a patient requesting an evaluation of a suspicious mole with visible changes, which is a medical indication of skin cancer.
In Boston, the median Botox wait was 13 days, versus 68 days for a mole examination. In Seattle, the median Botox wait was seven and a half days, compared with 35 days for a changing mole.
Although more people are scheduling medical appointments due an increased awareness of skin diseases such as melanoma and psoriasis, dermatologists, as well as an array of other doctors are offering the lucrative cosmetic procedures and treatments such as Botox.
Botox is typically $400 to $1200 per treatment, and is a cash business with full payment collected when treatment is administered, and even more of a perk no dealings or involvement with insurance companies, as it is not covered. Compare this to doctors having to wait several months to receive reimbursement from insurance companies, for mole examinations (or any other medically covered visit) for which they receive an average of $50 to $75.
Its no wonder cosmetic patients are given “red carpet” treatment when they come through the practice doors when considering the financial incentive of performing cosmetic treatments along with the doctors ability to wipe hands clean of insurance reimbursement hassles.
Unfortunately, the wait is still on for all those patients with psoriasis and medical conditions relying on expert medical care of dermatologists to relieve and treat symptoms. These patients will have to go to the end of the line, and let all of those seeking emergency wrinkle repair cut to the front of line.
The First Steps to Relieve Psoriasis
We’ve all had a really bad itch, but now imagine this itch never going away or staying so constant that at times, this is all you think about. This is only a portion of what it is like to have psoriasis. No matter how hard you scratch and dig at this itch, you cannot make it go away. However, what is much worse is the itch is not just a small spot of irritation on your arm or leg but instead the itch completely engrosses all of your extremities, controls your mind.
If you understand how insanely aggravating and tormenting psoriasis can be for those living with the skin disease, surely you recognize the importance of finding an effective means of relieving skin irritation and the agonizing symptoms psoriasis brings about.
Paranoia only makes the itchiness worse. With 3% of the world’s population having psoriasis (statistics according to the National Psoriasis Foundation), there are nearly 125 million people living with psoriasis that dermatologists have had the opportunity to see.
One of the biggest steps towards finding relief from psoriasis is proper diagnosis. Too often, when a person experiences the onset of new symptoms or a first time outbreak there is a tendency to assume it’s just dry skin, a rash, or a allergic reaction rather than seeking a professional opinion. This reluctance is usually associated with feelings of embarrassment, or that their condition isn’t worth a trip to the doctor. Some think that their skin condition is rare and has never seen before. Some even have a false belief that it will eventually go away.
The next steps towards relieving psoriasis is taking a deep breath and relaxing.
It may sound crazy, but not worrying too much about psoriasis can provide significant relief. However, the difficult struggle for many is learning how to relax. Being able to relax and worry less is a true art. Meditation, listening to soft, soothing music, burning aromatherapy oils such as lavender, taking up yoga, having a good laugh, and getting plenty of sleep are all popular ways of slowing down life’s hectic tempo.
Along with relaxation and breathing, there are other things you can do to help relieve psoriasis. Including:
- Avoid damp moist conditions keeping your skin as dry as possible. Stay away from steaming hot baths and showers that cause uncomfortable redness to the skin similar to a boiling lobster.
- Avoid synthetic materials and wear garments made of pure cotton instead. This is the same towels and sheets which often people do not think about.
- Wear protective gloves when doing physical housework, projects and gardening.
- Find a skincare treatment that works for you, whether this includes a basic moisturizer, a psoriasis OTC treatment or a prescribe medication.
Psoriasis challenges the lives and emotions of millions of people each day. While there is no cure to end this disease, there is a mental cure that can be practiced, and it begins with a deep, relaxing breath.
Psoriatic Arthritis and Exercise: Are they connected?
As we all know, daily exercise has been proven to be extremely beneficial for improving and maintaining one’s overall physical health. Exercise helps to maintain proper function of vital organs, control healthy body weight, prevents joint mobility, relieves decreases mental depression, psychological stress, and gives an added boost to one’s confidence and overall self-esteem.
The actual thought of exercising for some individuals can cause overwhelming levels of stress, even with all of the published research outlining the benefits; especially for those individuals struggling with psoriatic arthritis (PA). The painful joint stiffness and loss of mobility associated with this skin and bone disease can cause anxiety to set in for those with PA. For these individual’s the anticipation of moving their stiff, aching joints is associated with increased levels of excruciating pain.
Avoiding exercises and limiting movement actually negatively impacts range of motion in joints and overtime causes them to become stiffer while loosing valuable mobility. Overtime, joints that remain underutilized will eventually lock or seize. This is exactly the reason it’s important for people with psoriatic arthritis (PA) to slowly and properly adopt a daily exercise program.
The key to exercise for anyone is to start out slow. Find a daily routine that is manageable and comfortable for you. Exercise is like many things in life: too exercise much can cause more harm than good. Beginning a new exercise program, especially people with chronic pain such as PA, need to take things slow and easy.
During the first few weeks of exercising, it is completely normal to experience strange sensations in muscles, and even for sleep cycles to change. These are all natural signs your body is adjusting to a new stimulus or program. However, please note if any of the following symptoms occur:
· A decrease in range of motion
· Unusual chronic fatigue
· An increase in joint pain
· An increase in joint swelling
· Persistent pain
If any of these symptoms occur, immediately stop exercising and make an appointment to see your doctor.
Again, the key to integrating daily exercise in to your routine is to gradually increasing frequency and exertion. Vary the types of exercise activities among your program so your body doesn’t become to accustom to your routine and regardless of what type of exercise you select, make sure to choose activities that you enjoy so you will look forward to doing it.
Exercising does not mean you have to go to the gym or go running. There are many ways you can exercise daily. The real goal is to actively move the body to get blood pumping and flowing through the veins, so vital nutrients and oxygen are delivered to organs and, muscles and joints. So if you think of exercise in this regard there are many opportunities presented to us each day. Vacuuming the house, mowing the lawn, and walking the dog are all excellent ways to increase your daily exercise. Park the car at the far end of the parking lot when going to the office or shopping center.
It’s important to remember that while exercising to drink plenty of water and fluids throughout the day to replenish and hydrate your body. Not only is water extremely necessary for soothing joints it is also wonderful to exercise in. Walking or swimming laps in a pool are great ways to exercise without additional stress on aching joints. Another good form of exercise to loosen stiff joints without the additional impact to ankles and feet is riding a stationary bike. Stretching exercises and yoga are also beneficial forms of exercise that increase flexibility and range of motion without the extra strain of running.
Try to exercise during a time of day that you feel your best. Make plans with a friend or neighbor to take a leisurely stroll around the block. You could even join a local exercise class, or a yoga studio. By exercising with a partner or group it will help to keep your motivation.
Making exercise part of your daily routine will make it a lifetime habit. And this habit will not only benefit and improve your psoriatic arthritis, it will also increase your core strength, mobility and flexibility, help maintain ideal healthy body weight, increase energy level, and enhance socialization ultimately improving your overall sense of well-being.
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Though seldom disabling, the red welts, scaling skin, and pustules that mark this disease known as Psoriasis can be painful and extremely embarrassing. Psoriasis can affect a person's quality of life and the phrase "heartbreak of psoriasis" is a common and accurate description of the life of many people with psoriasis.
Between 150,000 and 260,000 new cases of psoriasis are diagnosed each year, including 20,000 in children younger than 10. About 80% to 85% of patients have mild to moderate psoriasis, while 15% to 20% have more extensive skin involvement. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. The National Psoriasis Foundation reports that these sufferers will spend between $1.6 billion and $3.2 billion each year to treat the disease of autoimmunity.
People living with this long-term disfiguring disease often face a social stigma, disrupting relationships, inhibiting sex life and causing social withdrawal that interferes with daily functions. Even moderate psoriasis suffers can often be treated like a social outcast because the skin lesions are so visible, and often found on face, elbows, hands, and scalp. Many people go out of their way to avoid touching the person or handling items the person touches thinking that the disease is contagious, which is not the case. Children can be particularly cruel especially if they've overheard adults negatively discussing the way the person’s skin looks.
If you know someone suffering with psoriasis, there's not a lot you can do to directly relieve suffering, but you can help eliminate the heart break and aches by showing your concern and educating yourself about the disease. Even take it a step further and work to help others understand what people with psoriasis go through daily. Encourage the person with psoriasis to join an online message board or chat-room to share his or her experiences intern helping him or herself by helping another.
March 2nd and 3rd, 2008 will mark the second anniversary of Capital Hill Day, an event created by the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) to promote awareness about Psoriasis. The organization is calling out for your support. This year promises to have twice the impact, now a two-day organized event in Washington, D.C. with the expectation for a larger turn out and even more publicity.
The National Psoriasis Foundation will lead volunteers from across the nation in delivering a powerful demonstration in front of the United States Congressional Officials, the very people in positions to make a difference, to voice their needs and to generate awareness about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Unfortunately, most congressional leaders know very little about psoriasis and the symptoms and the treatments that come with it. With limited knowledge, many underestimate the impact on quality of life; and the rising cost in the research for a cure. This event is an opportunity to describe firsthand what it is like living with these skin diseases.
Each year substantial gains are made in the psoriasis community, with advocates calling for a number of congressional actions. Last year, such progress has increased federal funding for psoriasis and generated support for the first ever bill: Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act of 2007.
However, there is still more critical work to do and the National Psoriasis Foundation needs your support. There are a variety of ways that you can get involved. There are scholarships with support funding that are available for interested, qualified applicants. A “Capitol Call-In” to reach members of Congress will coincide event days so psoriasis supporters from across the country can participate. The NPF will even send you a personalized email reminder of the call so that you won’t forget it.
The National Psoriasis Foundation has done an exceptional job of gathering the “need to know information” making it that much easier to get involved. They collected information on where to stay and what to expect for traveling attendees, as well as phone numbers of your elected officials, talking points to assist your call(s) and what to do if asked to leave a message instead of talking with someone in person.
So if you are interested in helping out those suffering with Psoriasis, be sure to check out the National Psoriasis Foundation website.
Click here for more information on Psoriasis.
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People with Psoriasis Updated: Feb 21, 2008
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