6 things you must know about psoriasis

Psoriasis raises your risk for other health problems.

By: Mansi Kohli | | Updated: January 30, 2018 1:32 pm

Did you know psoriasis raises your risk for other health problems? Dr. Sravya C Tipirneni, Consultant Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, Columbia Asia Hospital – Whitefield reveals top 5 things that your doctor might be hiding from you if you are a psoriasis patient.

1. Psoriasis raises your risk for other health problems: Diseases like inflammatory arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are very common among those who are affected by psoriasis. Other diseases linked with psoriasis are spondyloarthropathy (upto 40% of patients with early onset chronic plaque psoriasis), inflammatory bowel, Uveitis a kind of disease which has inflammation of the eye, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, gout, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Infact, sometimes psoriasis might lead to other skin conditions too like pustulosis, generalised pustulosis and acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis. The reason why psoriasis affects other heath conditions is very scientific. One can change their lifestyle by improving their overall health and have a positive impact on their symptoms.

2. Your doctor might not say it openly but can also openly talk about your apprehension linked with the condition: Most patients gets deceptive about the condition especially by the internet. They Google and go through all the non-medical sites and as a result they are unnecessarily worried have a misconception about Psoriasis. A good doctor always spends more time counselling the patient along with their family in order to keep them educated and worry free. Most people happen to be depressed if they have a very large extent of the body surface area involved or if it hindering their social relations as well. So even though Psoriasis does not directly cause a change in emotions, these often co-exist indirectly. It is always recommended that you share the same with the dermatologist, as they individualise Psoraisis treatment protocols for each patient. There are also many recent advances and newer medications for Psoriasis, which are more effective in maintaining remission.

3. Every patient has a specific set of structure by which the psoriasis can worsen: There are various factors that can aggravate psoriasis. Few things every patient can keep in mind to control psoriasis and avoid worsening of the disease are – Streptococcal tonsillitis also known as strep throat, injuries like cuts, abrasions, sunburn, extreme exposure to sun, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol, stressful event, medications such as lithium, beta blockers, antimalarials, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and stopping oral steroids or strong topical corticosteroids.

4. There is a direct link between alcoholism and psoriasis: There is a drug called Methotrexate, which is regularly given to psoriatic patients. This has a serious drug implication when taken with alcohol. So, the patient is strictly advised to restrict his consumption of alcohol when under the intake of methotrexate.

5. Psoriasis can also indirectly yet significantly compromise your sex drive too: According to medical evidence suffering from Psoriasis does not decrease libido or sex drive. The impact mostly is mental and has an effect on patients and their self-confidence about their physical appearance which is the major problem. There are times when patients become sad and depressed which results in low sex drive. It also strains sexual relationships, if the partner is not supportive and understanding enough.

6. Feeling stressful and pessimistic is often directly linked with being psoriatic: It is a vicious cycle. Stress and pessimism is not causative of Psoriasis as such. It has a more complicated multifactorial etiology. But, Psoriasis causes a lot of stress and in turn pessimistic attitude invariably follows. Good counselling and occasional psychiatric interventions maybe necessary for the benefit of the patients.

Image source: Shutterstock

Published : January 30, 2018 1:28 pm | Updated:January 30, 2018 1:32 pm

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