Guest Post: August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month by R. Courtney Fiess

You may have seen someone with the red, itchy, scaly skin condition known as psoriasis, but did you know that psoriasis can develop into a disease that is much more serious than just an annoying skin ailment?  August is National Psoriasis Awareness Month, so it is a great time to learn more about this disease.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition where skin layers sluff off due to over production, which results in spots and lesions on affected skin areas (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2015a).  The skin condition itches, stings, and burns, and can be very uncomfortable for those with the disease.  As alarming as Psoriasis skin patches may look on an individual’s skin, the disease is not contagious.  Psoriasis is caused by genetic factors in a person’s body, that are activated by an event, such as a skin injury, stress, some types of infections, or taking certain medications (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2015a).  Scientists are still researching the exact genes involved and what triggers the infection in multiple clinical trials and research studies to learn more of the specifics about the disease and how to treat it.

It is believed that around 10% of the population has the genetic markers for Psoriasis, but only 2-3 %actually have the disease activated to cause the skin reaction (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2015a).  Around 10% of those with Psoriasis will develop Psoriasis Arthritis, which is swelling of the joints and joint pain due to Psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2015a).  Severe cases of Psoriasis Arthritis can be debilitating and cause major lifestyle disruption.   Being overweight increases the chances of severe complications from Psoriasis, and Psoriasis can be linked to other diseases, such as diabetes or kidney disease (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2015b).

Psoriasis Treatment

 There are a variety of treatments available for Psoriasis, including oral medications, Ultraviolet light therapy and topical ointments and creams (National Psoriasis Foundation, 2015a; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2013).  In addition therapy for the stress and depression associated with the condition is valuable for patients.

If you have skin symptoms or joint pain that you believe may be linked to Psoriasis, you should see your doctor or a local clinic for diagnosis.

For More Information

 The following websites are good resources to learn more about Psoriasis:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/psoriasis/index.htm
• The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: 
• http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/psoriasis/default.asp
• National Psoriasis Foundation:  https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis (This website is full or resources such as online support groups and webcasts of Psoriasis information).

References:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (2015). Psoriasis.  Retrieved from:  http://www.cdc.gov/psoriasis/index.htm

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.  (2013). Questions and answers about Psoriasis.  Retrieved from:  http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/psoriasis/default.asp

National Psoriasis Foundation.  (2015a). About Psoriasis.  Retrieved from:  https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis

National Psoriasis Foundation.  (2015b). Psoriasis Awareness Month.   Retrieved from:  https://www.psoriasis.org/wellness

Written by: R. Courtney Fiess. 

Ms.  Fiess is a Masters student in Health Studies at Texas Woman’s University. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Houston.  Her current focuses in Health Studies are West Nile Virus and Women’s Health.

You might also like:

Guest Post: UV Safety by James Banks 

Hydration: A Must to Stay Healthy

 

Insights on Internship: Interview with Serena De La Cruz

Serena De La Cruz is one of our recent graduates. Serena graciously took time out of her busy schedule to  share her experience during her internship as well as advice for future interns. 

Can you tell us a bit more about your internship?

I completed my internship with the Area Agency on Aging in Northwest Arkansas. My job was to work with multiple senior activity and wellness centers in Northwest Arkansas. Every month, I would develop an interactive presentation on one of the monthly health observances and present these at each of the center's throughout the month. In addition, I wrote an article for the monthly newsletters.  I was also fortunate enough to be able to develop my own semester long project. I conducted needs assessments in the senior centers, took that data to find the most needed topic of education, and used that to develop a final event for the seniors. I found a dietitian to come and talk to seniors during a lunch and learn. She covered nutrition specifically for seniors and answered questions. I took what I learned from program planning through evaluation to do this. I was very fortunate to have such a wonderful educational background that prepared me for this activity.

Which Health Studies class has been the most useful during your internship?

It's hard to choose just one class that was the most helpful. I really feel like I used all of my classes combined! If I had to choose one that was specifically helpful during internship, it would be Health Communications. I was working with a population of adults over the age of 60 so how you present the information was crucial. Everything from best format and clear speaking to determining health literacy levels had to be just right in order to reach this population.

What piece of advice do you think is most important when looking for an internship?

Find a place that works with a population that you are passionate about working with. I have always enjoyed working with the elderly and therefore knew that I would wake up every morning excited for my day. I found a site that also allowed me to really take control of my experience and I think that doing so made a huge difference for me. I was able to develop my own activities while also working closely with my preceptor on things that she felt would be helpful to me.

What piece of advice is the most important during the internship?

Network, network, network. This is your chance to meet and develop relationships with others in our field. They will be your "in" after graduation. Take advantage of any opportunity because you never know who you will meet. I got my first job through a woman that I met while attending a class that my preceptor couldn't make it to. She emailed me about 3 months after I graduated with a job posting forwarded from one of her acquaintances. One month later I had a job as a project coordinator for the Northwest Arkansas Tobacco and Drug Free Coalition.

Can you tell us what you are doing now as a Health Studies graduate?

As mentioned previously, I found a job as a project coordinator pretty much straight out of school. I had a wonderful 8 months working in the non-profit world and managed a tobacco grant through the Arkansas Department of Health. I have to say, I would not have been able to do that job without the grant writing class. I had to write a grant proposal to get re-funded!

 In March, an opportunity presented itself that I couldn't pass up. I am now working for TrestleTree (a health transformation company) as a health coach. Every day I get to help people with everything from tobacco cessation to weight loss and stress. I am fortunate because I get to see my work make a direct impact in people's lives.

How did your internship help you in obtaining a job and prepare you for your job?

In terms of obtaining a job, I would have to go back to the networking piece. I really do believe that getting out there and meeting new people is key. I came across my current employer through an informational interview that I set up during my internship. When I think back to how my internship prepared me for my job, I feel that it all comes down to personal and professional development. The time that I spent actually implementing what I learned in my classes was both gratifying and encouraging. I went into my first job very confident that I had the skills to do great work.

*One last piece of advice: Sit for the CHES exam before you graduate if you can. The information is fresh in your mind and it is becoming more and more important to have when applying for jobs!

You might also like:

Insights on Internship: Interview with Cheyenne Peluso

Spotlight - Interview with Kurt Krause, Coordinator of Experiential Learning at the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence

Guest Post: August is National Immunizations Awareness Month by Meredith Molge

Starting August 1^st is the recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Now I know what you may be thinking. What kind of immunizations do we need to be aware of? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), NIAM, “provides an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan” (2015). As health educators and professionals it is important for us to recognize the different vaccinations that are out there as well as what populations may need vaccinations the most. We need to be able to talk to our patients or community members about the different vaccinations available while still being respectful and mindful of the person’s beliefs, religion, and cultural traditions. Our job as health educators and professionals is to make sure our patients and community members have every necessary tool and piece of information they need to make the best decision for their health. So let’s highlight some of the major resources that we can use for our own education as well as resources we can provide to help educate others.

 

According to the CDC, each week of NIAM will be designated to a certain population. Pre-teens and teens will be discussed during the week of the 2^nd through the 8^th, pregnant women the 9^th through the 15^th, adults the 16^th through the 22^nd, and infants and children the 23^rd through the 29^th (2015). The materials for NIAM has been organized by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC), and includes education toolkits, social media pages, videos in English and Spanish, as well as links to state and local health department to find more specific information for the area in which you live in (CDC, 2015). One of the first useful links provided when you type in http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html to your Internet browser is on the left hand side of the screen listed as education and training.

Within this link you are provided with a surplus of resources. You have a link to continuing education courses that include webcasts and self-studies, net-conferences, and even a link where you can request a speaker to come to your state or region (CDC, 2015). One of the most useful parts for patients and the community is the patient education resources section. There is a total of seven links at the bottom of the page that lead you to handouts you can print out and give to patients or that build your own informational sheet on. One of the links titled “by vaccine- materials for patients” takes you to a page that has a list of vaccines and immunizations that separates the material into a “for parents” section and a “for providers” section (CDC, 2015).  This is an important link because there are so many vaccines out there and it can often get confusing for parents, young adults, the elderly, pregnant women, and even providers for what vaccines are needed at different stages in a person's life. Each vaccine is broken down into different sections including clinical, vaccine recommendations, references and resources, provider education, and materials for patients (CDC, 2015). This way we get clear and concise information regarding the vaccine so that we can explain or distribute the information to the community and our patients.

So mark your calendars everyone. August 1^st starts a very important month filled with self-education and patient education. We are here to help provide information to those that need it the most. Transcribing health information into understandable terms can help the community and patients to gain a better understanding of the need and importance for immunizations.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to read this information and I have provided the link below to the main page on the CDC site as well as the link to National Public Health Information Coalition page where you can find the different toolkits discussed in the beginning portion of this blog.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention Link

National Public Health Information Coalition Link

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Recognizing National Immunization    Awareness Month. Retrieved on July 15th, 2015 from            http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam.html.

National Public Health Information Coalition. (2015). Toolkits, Your Online Communication             Guides. Retrieved on July 15^th, 2015 from https://www.nphic.org/niam

By: Meredith Molge. 

Ms. Molge is a graduate student at Texas Woman’s University. She enjoys her job as an Exercise Technician and EKG Technician where she can apply the knowledge she learns at Texas Woman’s University and make a difference in other people’s lives. When Meredith isn’t working she enjoys running and spending time with her family.