online treatment questions in online communities Archives - Page 3 of 3

The Race to Rescue Livers: Finding Treatments for NASH
Patient communities, Patient insights, Patient stories, Patient-centered healthcare

The Race to Rescue Livers: Finding Treatments for NASH

The Race to Rescue Livers: Finding Treatments for NASH By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH There is a race to develop drugs to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, commonly called NASH. NASH, an aggressive form of liver disease causing inflammation and scarring, already affects 3-12% of the entire US population.1,2 What’s the incentive? There’s currently no approved treatment, and it can be fatal.3 The current standard of care is lifestyle changes. NASH is a more serious form of NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) and can result in cirrhosis.4 Related to obesity and diabetes, but not to alcohol consumption, NAFLD already [...]

Mar 2021By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH|0 Comments

A Surprise Diagnosis: Chronic Kidney Disease
Patient communities, Patient insights, Patient stories, Patient-centered healthcare

A Surprise Diagnosis: Chronic Kidney Disease

A Surprise Diagnosis: Chronic Kidney Disease By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH March is National Kidney Month, when communities across the country work to raise awareness about kidney disease. Not too worried? You might want to check: The CDC estimates that 15% of adults are estimated to have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). That’s 37 million people in the US alone. Even worse: Most (9 in 10) adults with CKD do not know they have it. You can be unaware even if you’re in serious danger of kidney failure. One in 2 people with very low kidney function who [...]

Mar 2021By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH|1 Comment

Trying To Find More Answers About Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Patient communities, Patient insights, Patient stories, Patient-centered healthcare

Trying To Find More Answers About Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Trying To Find More Answers About Tuberous Sclerosis Complex By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a “rare” genetic disease: According to the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, Inspire’s community partner, “At least two children born each day will have tuberous sclerosis complex.”1 Classifying a disease that affects a million people worldwide as “rare” doesn’t comfort patients with TSC. Created by mutations in one or two genes, TSC1 and TSC2, its manifestations vary widely depending on the nature of the mutation, which is why it is called “tuberous sclerosis complex.” It’s a complex genetic disorder. It [...]

Feb 2021By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH|0 Comments

Eosinophils: Friend or Foe? Eosinophilic Disorders
Patient communities, Clinical trials, Patient insights

Eosinophils: Friend or Foe? Eosinophilic Disorders

Eosinophils: Friend or Foe? Eosinophilic Disorders By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH Eosinophils are amazing, power-packed cells of the innate immune system. Loaded with granules of cytokines, chemokines, RNAses, cationic proteins, growth factors and more, these leukocytes were thought to be the body’s primary tool to destroy parasites. Now, however, eosinophils are being understood as regulators of inflammation and tissue regeneration. They are also involved in maintaining the defensive structure of the epithelium, residing in mucosal tissue that interfaces with the environment. Additionally, they act as antigen presenting cells (APCs), communicating between the innate and adaptive immune systems. [...]

Feb 2021By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH|0 Comments