Category Archives: The Charlton Centre

Methotrexate is a medication used in low weekly doses in the treatment of many autoimmune conditions, from rheumatoid arthritis to psoriasis to inflammatory bowel disease.  One way methotrexate works is by decreasing the production of folate.  For this reason, folic acid supplementation … Continue reading →

Most  patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are familiar with certain blood and stool tests that can assess how active their bowel disease is. One such test is the fecal calprotectin test ( Fcal for short). Calprotectin is a protein found in … Continue reading →

People with autoimmune conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus may also complain of dry eyes and mouth. This combination of symptoms is known as Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome, which is also an immune system disorder. The glands in the mouth … Continue reading →

For people living psoriasis, consideration is often given to the fabrics that will cause the least skin irritation.  Cotton is most often recommended because it is considered the most breathable.  Silk is another possible choice as it tends to be soft … Continue reading →

Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a collaborative model of medical education that empowers all types of health care professionals to provide better care to more people in their own communities. Wait times to see specialists can be lengthy and those … Continue reading →

Medical marijuana can be very beneficial for a variety of conditions and is most commonly used to combat issues such as pain management, epilepsy, and more. Medical marijuana is highly regulated by Health Canada for its purity, lack of any fungal … Continue reading →

Fatigue can be caused by many factors from low levels of iron or vitamin B12 to low thyroid function.  However, feeling fatigued can be a complaint of people suffering with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in whom these levels are normal. … Continue reading →

Moisturizing the skin is one of the hallmarks of psoriasis treatment. Choose a  moisturizer that is free from perfumes and is endorsed by the Canadian Dermatology Association. Multiple applications may be needed each day especially in cold dry weather. The … Continue reading →

Over the last couple of years, Arthritis Consumer Experts have been diligently working on an educational program for people living with rheumatoid arthritis. They have developed an online educational program, JointHealth Education, which helps patients better communicate with their rheumatologist and … Continue reading →

Hormonal, environmental, genetic, and immunological factors are all important considerations in autoimmune diseases. Approximately 50% of all trigger factors are unknown. “Many retrospective studies found that a high proportion (up to 80%) of patients reported uncommon emotional stress before disease … Continue reading →