Thursday 26 June 2014
Neways: Opportunity Now
The future of good health and wellness is made even easier with "Social Marketing"? Shop online for safe, stylish everyday products you will love and become part of the new marketing revolution. Check out the video and leave me a message in comments for more info. Happy to link you up and get you going to better health and income opportunity
Neways: Opportunity Now
The future of good health and wellness is made even easier with "Social Marketing"? Shop online for safe, stylish everyday products you will love and become part of the new marketing revolution. Check out the video and leave me a message in comments for more info. Happy to link you up and get you going to better health and income opportunity
Sunday 1 June 2014
What's Psoriasis, and How Do I Treat It?
Here's how to cope if you're one of the 7.5 million Americans with this skin disease.
More than a cosmetic issue, psoriasis can have significant physical and emotional effects.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaling and inflammation (pain, swelling, heat and redness). Skin cells grow deep in the skin and slowly rise to the surface. This process normally takes 23 to 30 days. For individuals with psoriasis, the process happens in just a few days. Fast-rising cells then pile up on the skin’s surface. This causes patches of thick red skin with silvery scales to form. Patches may be itchy or painful. They generally occur around the elbows, knees, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms and the soles of the feet.
Psoriasis was originally viewed as strictly a skin condition, but we now know that it is an immune system disorder. Our immune system contains white blood cells called T cells. T cells help protect against infection and disease. With psoriasis, T cells are activated by accident. This results in rapid skin cell growth.
Several types of psoriasis exist, but 80 percent of cases are plaque psoriasis. The symptoms include raised and thickened patches of red skin covered by silvery white scales. Another form of psoriasis is guttate psoriasis, which accounts for 10 percent of cases. Symptoms include small red dots, generally on the torso, arms and legs. These dots do not become scaly.
The National Psoriasis Foundation defines psoriasis severity by the percentage of skin affected. Mild psoriasis affects less than 3 percent of the skin. Moderate psoriasis affects 3 percent to 10 percent of the skin. Severe psoriasis involves more than 10 percent of the skin. For easy reference, a person’s hand represents approximately 1 percent of the skin surface. Up to 90 percent of all psoriasis cases are considered mild. The physical and emotional effects of psoriasis are significant – similar to the effects of cancer, heart disease, diabetes or depression. Psoriasis can have a negative psychological impact, especially if it involves the hands, feet, genitals or face. While psoriasis affects men and women equally, women experience a greater negative impact on quality of life.
More facts about psoriasis:
- Approximately 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.
- Psoriasis often appears in individuals between 15 and 25 years of age.
- Psoriasis can lead to a painful arthritic condition called psoriatic arthritis. Up to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis develop this form of arthritis. It generally appears approximately 12 years after diagnosis.
- Symptoms may improve in the summer and worsen in the winter.
- Psoriasis affects racial groups differently: 1.3 percent of African-Americans are affected compared with 2.5 percent of Caucasians.
- If one parent has psoriasis, there is a 10 percent chance that his or her child will have psoriasis. If both parents have psoriasis, there is a 50 percent chance that their child will have psoriasis.
- Men with severe psoriasis have a life span that is 3.5 years shorter than the average. Women with severe psoriasis have a life span that is 4.4 years shorter than average.
How do I know if I have psoriasis?
The symptoms of psoriasis are similar to those of other skin conditions. Symptoms of an allergy, for example, may include small red dots and itching. A dermatologist is the best doctor to diagnose and treat psoriasis.
[See: U.S. News' Top Dermatologists.]
Treatment
There is no cure for psoriasis. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, and the goal of treatment is to minimize or eliminate symptoms. While symptoms may go away, they often reappear at a later time. The type of treatment depends on the severity of psoriasis, the type of psoriasis, other medical conditions that the patient has and how the patient reacted to previous psoriasis medications. For mild cases, one medication is often sufficient for treatment. A combination of medications is frequently needed for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Common psoriasis treatments are listed below:
- Topical agents are applied directly to the skin in the form of creams or ointments. These agents reduce inflammation, slow down the immune system, help skin peel and unclog pores.
- Systemic treatments suppress the immune system and are used for moderate to severe psoriasis.
- Biologics are used for moderate to severe psoriasis. Biologics target specific parts of the immune system instead of affecting the entire immune system as systemic treatments do.
- Natural or artificial ultraviolet light can be used to slow the growth of skin cells. Light therapy is often combined with medication.
- Combination therapy means more than one agent is prescribed, which leads to better results.
- Psychological support can help patients cope, given that people with psoriasis often become depressed, self-conscious and fearful of social rejection.
Living with Psoriasis
Approximately 60 percent of people report psoriasis as a problem in everyday life. Many worry about symptoms getting worse or reappearing. Recommendations for living with psoriasis are listed below:
Approximately 60 percent of people report psoriasis as a problem in everyday life. Many worry about symptoms getting worse or reappearing. Recommendations for living with psoriasis are listed below:
- Do not delay treatment because your symptoms are mild. Current symptoms do not predict future symptoms.
- Learn as much as possible about psoriasis. This improves your understanding of the disease, triggers and treatment options. The National Psoriasis Foundation website (www.psoriasis.org) has easy-to-understand information. It also offers online support groups, which can help you learn how others cope with psoriasis.
- Psoriasis outbreaks are often triggered by external factors. Keeping a diary can help identify triggers.
- Make an appointment with your dermatologist if you develop stiff or sore joints.
- Inform your physician if you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant. Up to 25 percent of pregnant women experience worsening of symptoms. Your doctor may discontinue your medication during your pregnancy.
- Take medication as directed to ensure maximum benefit. Never stop taking your medication without your dermatologist’s approval.
- If you receive light therapy, your symptoms may worsen before improving. Do not experiment with light therapy (for example, do not go to tanning salons for self-treatment).
- As psoriasis begins to heal, skin tends to flake and peel and may feel itchy. When itching is a problem,skin moisturizers may help.
- Losing excess body weight may help. Being overweight increases the severity of psoriasis and reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
- Avoid tobacco products. Smoking plays a role in the onset of psoriasis and future flare-ups. Approximately 77 percent of nonsmokers experience one or more periods without symptoms compared with only 8.7 percent of smokers.
- Limit alcohol. It increases flare-ups and may decrease the effectiveness of treatment.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle. Hypertension, a high cholesterol level and a lack of exercise increase the risk for psoriasis
[See: U.S. News Best Diets.]
Final Thought
Psoriasis is more than a cosmetic issue. Left untreated, it can lead to serious medical complications.
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