KM is a 38-year-old white woman with a 6-year history of psoriasis. Her family history includes allergies and asthma and her mother with psoriasis. KM returns today for an increase in symptoms, and she wants to improve the appearance of her skin. Please discuss the following:
What is the underlying cause of psoriasis?
What are the common signs and symptoms of this disease?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Psoriasis: Causes, Signs, and Symptoms
Underlying Cause of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the rapid proliferation of skin cells, leading to the formation of thick, scaly patches on the skin. The underlying cause of psoriasis is not completely understood; however, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, immune, and environmental factors.
1. Immune System Dysfunction: In psoriasis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response. This response involves T cells (a type of white blood cell) and other immune system components that promote the rapid turnover of skin cells.
2. Genetic Predisposition: Family history plays a significant role in the development of psoriasis. Individuals with a family history of psoriasis or other autoimmune diseases are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
3. Environmental Triggers: Certain external factors can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms, including stress, infections (like streptococcal throat infections), skin injuries (such as cuts or sunburn), certain medications (like beta-blockers or lithium), and lifestyle factors (such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption).
Common Signs and Symptoms of Psoriasis
The manifestations of psoriasis can vary widely among individuals but generally include the following:
1. Plaque Psoriasis: The most common form of psoriasis presents as raised, red patches covered with silvery-white scales. These plaques can occur anywhere on the body but are commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back.
2. Itching and Discomfort: Many individuals with psoriasis experience itching, burning, or soreness in the affected areas, which can be bothersome and lead to scratching or further skin irritation.
3. Nail Changes: Psoriasis can also affect the nails, causing pitting, discoloration, and separation from the nail bed (onycholysis). In some cases, nails may become thickened or crumble.
4. Guttate Psoriasis: This form typically appears as small drop-shaped lesions and often occurs after a streptococcal infection. It generally affects younger individuals.
5. Erythrodermic Psoriasis: A severe form that leads to widespread redness and shedding of the skin over large areas of the body. This condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
6. Psoriatic Arthritis: Some individuals with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis, which includes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. This condition can occur before or after skin symptoms develop.
Conclusion
For KM, who has a 6-year history of psoriasis and is experiencing increased symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to assess her condition further. Treatment options may include topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic medications, or biologic treatments tailored to her specific symptoms and overall health status. Addressing lifestyle factors and potential triggers can also play a significant role in managing her psoriasis effectively.
