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Friday, 27 August 2010 10:53 |
 What is Autoimmunity?One of the functions of the immune system is to protect the body by responding to invading microorganisms, such as viruses or bacteria, by producing antibodies or sensitized lymphocytes (types of white blood cells). Under normal conditions, an immune response cannot be triggered against the cells of one's own body. In certain cases, however, immune cells make a mistake and attack the very cells that they are meant to protect. This can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases. They encompass a broad category of related diseases in which the person's immune system attacks his or her own tissue.
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Wednesday, 25 August 2010 08:14 |
Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the brand name VELETRI® for the company's epoprostenol for injection therapy. VELETRI has been commercially available since April 2010 as Epoprostenol for Injection for the treatment of moderate to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and PAH associated with the Scleroderma spectrum of disease. Actelion plans to release VELETRI-labeled product by early fourth quarter of 2010.
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Thursday, 19 August 2010 12:19 |
 Around 40% of patients with Scleroderma develop open sores on their fingertips called digital ulcers. In some patients, this is the major ongoing difficulty whereas in others, digital ulcers are an uncommon and short term complication. Digital ulcers occur because of poor blood flow to the fingertips which is in turn related to the narrowing of blood vessels that is the hallmark of all forms of Systemic Scleroderma. Digital ulcers are tightly linked with Raynaud's phenomenon. They both occur in Scleroderma because of narrowed blood vessels. Raynaud attacks occur daily and are clearly worsened by cold weather. Digital ulcers can occur at anytime of the year and in any weather.
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Tuesday, 10 August 2010 23:45 |
 If someone you love is diagnosed with cancer or a life-threatening disease, you may feel desperate and completely helpless. But it doesn't have to be that way. Research has shown that family and friends can play a huge role in helping patients deal with a chronic illness.
When a person is suffering from a chronic illness, it's important that they feel truly cared about. What matters most is how people interact with the sick person. Here are some ways that patients and their families can get the kind of support they want from others:
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Saturday, 07 August 2010 00:29 |
 The loss of facial mobility may restrict the ability to chew foods and perform adequate moth hygiene. Below is some advice on maintaining facial mobility through exercise. INSTRUCTIONS:Do exercises in front of a mirror. Massage (firm touch) the entire face using small circular motions with the finger tips, a warm facecloth or vibrator, then massage each specific area again just
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Tuesday, 27 July 2010 23:23 |
 Coping with Scleroderma By Jane Brandenstein, P.T., University of Pittsburgh Medical Center As physical therapists, there are some things that we have learned over the years about Scleroderma, and there are even more things we wish we understood better and could share with you. But, the information is just not there at this point in time, so as health professionals, we experience a certain amount of frustration, just like you do. What we would like to pass on to you are some of the things that we have found to be helpful and important.
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