From Your Doctor
Health Resources
Featured Doctors
Health information from the source
people trust most . . . their own doctor.
From Your Doctor is a doctor-recommended patient education service. It is used by physicians and other health professionals to help their patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options.
Featured Patient Handouts
Actinic Keratoses and Skin Cancer
December 23, 2011
Actinic keratoses (AKs) are dry, scaly patches that form on sun exposed areas of the skin, including the scalp, face, forearms, and back of the hands. A single lesion is called an "actinic keratosis" or "solar keratosis".
Actinic keratoses are considered PRECANCEROUS and have the potential to become a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In fact, 40-60% of squamous cell skin cancers begin as untreated AKs.
Therefore, your doctor will be diligent in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring actinic keratoses. Also, since actinic keratoses result from chronic sun exposure, those with AKs are at risk for developing other types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma.
Fortunately, actinic keratoses are treatable when detected in the early stages. People at risk for actinic keratoses and skin cancer can reduce that risk by performing frequent skin self-exams and seeing their doctor for regular screenings.
Asthma Diary Can Help to Identify Asthma Triggers
December 5, 2011
An asthma diary helps you keep track of changes in your asthma symptoms. Many patients track their daily lung function using a peak flow meter. An asthma diary is not a personal diary; it is a daily log of your breathing and asthma medications taken. Your doctor may review your asthma diary and change your asthma action plan or medications based on the information collected.
In addition to recording peak flow measurements, you should also record increased shortness of breath or wheezing; disturbed sleep caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing; chest tightness or pain; use of quick-relief (rescue) medications; decreased productivity at work, school or home due to asthma symptoms; increased asthma symptoms during exercise; or anything else that seems to trigger asthma flare-ups, such as secondhand tobacco smoke or pollution.
Oracea Treats the Lesions of Rosacea,
Not Bacteria
October 19, 2011
Oracea® (doxycycline) is an oral therapy that reduces the inflammatory lesions (red bumps, blemishes, and pustules) of rosacea. It will not lessen the facial redness caused by this condition.
Unlike traditional doxycyclines (antibiotics), Oracea® does not work by killing bacteria. Instead, it has a lower dosage designed to help reduce the inflammatory lesions of rosacea. That's important because:
- Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition — not a bacterial infection
- In many cases, rosacea requires long-term management, and in clinical studies, Oracea® has not shown to contribute to bacterial resistance
Please be aware that there are no generic equivalent medications for Oracea®.
Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
October 7, 2011
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) refers to a woman taking supplements of hormones, such as estrogen, to manage the symptoms of menopause or other health conditions. The risks of hormone replacement therapy differ depending on the health status of the woman taking it, and on the type of hormones used.
The NIH conducted the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial to learn about the risks and benefits of continuous use of estrogen and progestin for post-menopausal women. Researchers found that healthy post-menopausal women who took HRT were at increased risk of invasive breast cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.
HRT taken by women with certain health conditions is different than that taken my post-menopausal women. The risks associated with post-menopausal HRT do not apply to pre-menopausal women taking HRT.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
September 26, 2011
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder that results in abdominal cramping pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Most people with IBS can control their symptoms with changes to their diet, stress management, and medications.
Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary from person to person, but most people experience abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort are the main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. There is no specific cause for irritable bowel syndrome. It is thought that people with IBS have a digestive tract that is especiallty sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress that may not bother most people.
There is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome, but there are many treatment options available that can lessen or eliminate symptoms. Your doctor will give you the best treatments for your particular symptoms and encourage you to manage stress and make changes to your diet.
Isotretinoin for Acne
September 19, 2011
Isotretinoin is a prescription medication used to treat severe acne that has failed to respond to other acne treatments. Despite concerns about side effects, isotretinoin remains an important treatment option for severe acne. It can clear up acne that resists all other forms of treatment, including oral antibiotics.
Isotretinoin is commonly known by the former brand name Accutane, but Accutane is no longer available. Other brand names of isotretinoin include Amnesteem and Sotret.
Most people require only one course of isotretinoin treatment, though an additional course of treatment may be recommended in some cases.
Stelara for Psoriasis
September 11, 2011
Stelara® (ustekinumab) is biologic medication for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It is the first of a new type of "biologic" medication that provides effective relief of psoriasis symptoms with infrequent dosing. Stelara® is approved by the FDA to treat adults 18 years and older with psoriasis that involves large areas or many areas of their body, who are candidates for other systemic treatments, such as methotrexate, cyclosporine or phototherapy.
Stelara® (ustekinumab) treats psoriasis through a unique mechanism of action. It blocks two proteins that are part of the immune system that can lead to inflammation. Reducing the activity of these proteins reduces inflammation in the skin and slows the growth of skin cells.
Biologics for Psoriasis
September 1, 2011
Biologics are a class of medications that have become an important treatment option for people with moderate to severe psoriasis. In the last decade, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several biologics for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. There are currently five biologics approved for psoriasis: Amevive® (alefacept), Enbrel® (etanercept), Humira® (adalimumab), Remicade® (infliximab), and Stelara® (ustekinumab).
Biologics work by targeting the underlying cause of psoriasis - excessive skin cell growth due to an overactive immune system. Although biologics can often provide long periods of clear skin, they are not a cure for psoriasis and ongoing treatment remains necessary. Biologics inhibit the immune system, reduce inflammation and inhibit the excessive skin cell growth. Different biologic medications target different portions of the immune system. Some biologic medications reduce T cell activity, while others reduce the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interleukins.
Zyclara® Cream Approved for the Treatment of Genital Warts
August 30, 2011
The U.S. FDA has approved Zyclara® Cream for the treatment of external genital warts and perianal warts (EGW) in patients 12 years of age and older. Zyclara Cream works by activating the immune cells in the skin.
Clinical studies demonstrated that using its once-daily treatment regimen, for up to eight weeks, safely and effectively clears genital warts. In addition, data showed that of those patients who achieved complete clearance, only a small number experienced a recurrence of their wart(s) 12 weeks after treatment.
Zyclara® Cream, 3.75% has been previously approved for the treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) on the face or balding scalp.
About Zyclara® (imiquimod) Cream, 3.75%
Zyclara Cream is a skin-use only (topical) prescription medicine used to treat external genital and perianal warts in people 12 years and older. Do not get Zyclara Cream in or on your anus or vagina.
When using Zyclara Cream, the most common side effects involve skin reactions in the application area. These include redness, swelling, sores or blisters, and draining (weeping).
The effect of Zyclara Cream on the transmission of external genital warts is unknown. Zyclara Cream may weaken condoms and diaphragms. Sexual contact should be avoided while the cream is on the skin. New external genital warts may develop during treatment.
For more information on Zyclara Cream, visit www.ZyclaraCream.com.
From Your Doctor Health Information
The patient education content is written by medical specialists to express their clinical judgment and unique approach to care. Additional health information is provided from trusted sources, such as government health agencies (Medline, CDC), professional organizations (AAD, AAN, AAFP), patient support groups, medical publishers, and content partners.
Doctors that value informed patients can be found here: Allergy, Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Family Practice, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Ob-Gyn, Pediatrics, Physiatry, Psychiatry, and Rheumatology.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information: verify here.
View Content Policy