Write An Essay Describing A Disease In The Integumentary Sys
Write An Essay Describing A Disease Found In The Integumentary Or Musc
Write an essay describing a disease found in the Integumentary or Musculoskeletal System. (100 points) Using medical terminology, identify the diagnosis as listed by a physician. Describe the illness or injury, including its location based on the knowledge from Chapter 2. Discuss symptoms and possible treatments. Create a table listing all medical terms used, breaking down each word into its components, and explain each term in layman's language suitable for patient understanding. The essay should be approximately 1000 words, thoroughly addressing all questions with clarity and conciseness. Include a title page and an APA-style reference page. Ensure all sources are properly cited in APA format. Save your assignment as a Word, Open Office, or Rich Text Format file with the filename specified in the instructions.
Paper For Above instruction
The integumentary system and the musculoskeletal system are vital components of the human body, providing protection, support, and mobility. Diseases affecting these systems can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life. Among various conditions, psoriasis, a common skin disorder, is a notable disease within the integumentary system. This essay will explore psoriasis by describing its medical diagnosis, the nature of the illness, its location, symptoms, potential treatments, and medical terminology broken down for patient understanding.
Introduction
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to scaling, inflammation, and lesions. It frequently involves the skin of the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Understanding the pathology, symptoms, and management options for psoriasis is essential for effective treatment and patient education.
Diagnosis and Medical Description
The physician typically diagnoses psoriasis using clinical examination and medical history. The standard medical diagnosis code according to ICD-10 is L40.0 for psoriasis vulgaris, the most common form. This diagnosis highlights an autoimmune process resulting in hyperproliferation of keratinocytes (skin cells), leading to characteristic plaques and scales (Nestle et al., 2009).
Pathophysiology and Location
Psoriasis affects the epidermis, which is part of the integumentary system, and involves an immune-mediated process predominantly targeting the skin. The disease manifests primarily on areas where keratinocyte turnover is accelerated—such as the scalp, elbows, and knees—due to immune system dysregulation involving T-cells and cytokines (Boehncke & Schön, 2015).
Symptoms
Symptoms of psoriasis include raised, red patches covered with silvery-white scales, itching, burning, and soreness. In some cases, the lesions may crack and bleed. The severity varies from minor localized patches to widespread involvement that can significantly impair skin function and aesthetics (Parisi et al., 2013).
Potential Treatments
Management of psoriasis involves topical treatments such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs (calcipotriol), moisturizers, and coal tar preparations. Phototherapy, including ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy, may be employed for extensive cases. Systemic medications like methotrexate, cyclosporine, or biologic agents targeting immune pathways (e.g., TNF-alpha inhibitors) are used for severe psoriasis (Gottlieb et al., 2018). Lifestyle modifications, including stress reduction, smoking cessation, and skin hydration, also play a role in management.
Medical Terms Breakdown Table
| Medical Term | Breakdown | Layman's Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Autoimmune | Auto- (self) + immune (protection system) | A condition where the body’s defense system mistakenly attacks itself’s tissues. |
| Keratinocytes | Keratin (a protein) + cytes (cells) | Skin cells that produce a hard protein called keratin, which makes skin tough and waterproof. |
| Plaques | Flat, raised patches of skin | Areas where the skin is thickened and raised due to disease. |
| Cytokines | Cyt- (cell) + -kines (move) | Proteins that help cells communicate, especially in immune responses. |
| Ultraviolet B (UVB) | Ultra (beyond) + violet + B (a type of light) | A specific type of light used in therapy to treat skin diseases. |
| Biologic agents | Biologics (biological drugs) | Advanced medications made from living organisms that target parts of the immune system. |
| Calcipotriol | Calcium + vitamin D analog | A synthetic form of vitamin D used to slow skin cell growth. |
| Methotrexate | Met- (change) + -otrexate (a drug name) | A medication that suppresses the immune system to reduce inflammation. |
| Cyclosporine | Cycle + -sporine | An immunosuppressive drug used to prevent immune attack on the skin. |
| T-cells | Thymus (organ where they mature) + cells | A type of immune cell involved in fighting infections but also involved in autoimmune diseases. |
Conclusion
Psoriasis exemplifies a complex autoimmune disorder affecting the integumentary system, characterized by immune dysregulation leading to abnormal skin cell proliferation. Recognizing its symptoms and understanding treatment options can improve patient outcomes. Proper medical management, combined with patient education about the disease process and lifestyle adjustments, is essential for managing psoriasis effectively.
References
- Boehncke, W. H., & Schön, M. P. (2015). Psoriasis. Lancet, 386(9997), 983-994.
- Gottlieb, A., et al. (2018). Systemic treatment options for psoriasis: An update. Cureus, 10(7), e3091.
- Nestle, F. O., et al. (2009). Psoriasis. New England Journal of Medicine, 361(5), 496-509.
- Parisi, R., et al. (2013). Global epidemiology of psoriasis: A systematic review. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 133(2), 377-385.
- G-International Federation of Psoriasis Associations. (2017). Psoriasis. Retrieved from https://ifpa-pso.com