spotlig lth hea n o th l a e h Psoriasis—A Condition With An Image Problem (NAPSA)—For many of the seven million psoriasis sufferers, the condition is far more serious than most people think, one that takes an emotional as well as physical toll. Sufferers often fl like outcasts, extremely self-conscious of their sometimes highly visible symptoms. Only congestive heart failure is more debilitating than psoriasis in its detrimental physical effects on quality of life, says a study in the Journal of the American Aca-demy ofDermatology. Adding to the problem is that many people with psoriasis go undiagnosed for years, suffering the embarrassing and sometimes painful and disfiguring symptoms thinking “it’s just dry skin” and that there’s nothing they can do aboutit. People who s dermatologists experienced in treating psoriasis, however, are often able to regain some frdom from the physical and emotional pain of the disease. There’s no one treatment, but der- matologists have many tools to work one-on-one with psoriasis patients. Researchers say similarities betwn psoriasis and other immune disorders may provide the key to a cure. For fr information about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and their treatment options, call the National Psoriasis Foundation, an independent, nonprofit organization, at 800-723-9166 or visit www.psoriasis.org.
