rare illness

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

What’s one of the top ten mysterious diseases? Sarcoidosis

What’s one of the top ten mysterious diseases? Sarcoidosis By Kathleen Hoffman, PhD, MSPH Rare disease sufferers may be few in number for a particular condition, but they are an army of survivors when they’re together.  Sarcoidosis is one of the 3000 rare diseases represented in Inspire’s community.  With 600,000 Inspire members [...]