6 Ways to Stay Ahead of Your Psoriasis

From healthline.com

Living with psoriasis can be a roller coaster ride: Sometimes you may be fighting flares while other times the condition may not have any noticeable symptoms. Knowing how to manage this autoimmune condition can make your life much easier and more comfortable.

You’ve got many options for staying ahead of psoriasis even though it has no cure. Effective management of the condition includes:

• a doctor-supported treatment plan
• healthy lifestyle habits
• mental health support

There are many types of psoriasis. Each type requires different management plans based on the severity of the condition and where it’s located on your body. You must also factor in your other health conditions that may be related to psoriasis. Your doctor can devise a plan that works best for you.

1. Treat your condition

Don’t ignore symptoms of psoriasis. Because there’s no cure, it needs to be managed by a doctor. What appears as a mild case may worsen with time, and your doctor can decide how to keep the condition from spreading.

Mild psoriasis can generally be treated with topical methods. Psoriasis that is moderate or severe in nature may require stronger interventions. These include:

• topical prescriptions
• medications like biologics or oral medications
• light therapy
• alternative medicines or therapies
• lifestyle changes

Psoriasis is associated with other health conditions, such as:

• cardiovascular disease
• diabetes
• obesity

Your doctor should check for these other conditions when treating psoriasis.

2. Evaluate your treatment plan regularly

A recent trend in psoriasis management includes the “treat to target” approach. This concept allows you to evaluate your treatments with a doctor on a periodic basis. Together, you determine if the devised plan is effective in reducing your symptoms. Such a treatment plan should have overall goals for reducing your symptoms and allow for modifications from both you and your doctor every few months.

Several studies affirm this method of evaluation in managing psoriasis. Archives of Dermatological Research concluded that those who have outcomes measurement for their psoriasis experience:

• more control of the condition
• more positive feelings about their treatment
• less severe symptoms

Talk to your doctor about coming up with a regular schedule for evaluating your treatment plan. Goals should be individual in nature and may include:

• reducing the psoriasis to a certain percentage
  of your body
• giving you a particular quality of life
• keeping other conditions in check

3. Continue with your treatment plan

It may be tempting to discontinue your psoriasis treatments if your condition seems under control. You may not be experiencing any psoriasis flare-ups and forget to take prescribed medications or keep up with a daily skin care routine. This can result in the condition coming back or even getting worse.

Consult your doctor if you feel that your treatment plan could be modified based on any reduced symptoms. You’ll want to ensure that modifying treatments will result in fewer symptoms in the long term.

4. Manage your weight with diet and exercise

Maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent your psoriasis from spreading or flaring. Some studies link worsening psoriasis symptoms with a higher-than-average body mass index. One analysis in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery found that increased body mass index resulted in the development of more severe psoriasis.

Losing weight may help psoriasis symptoms in those who are obese or overweight. One study in the British Journal of DermatologyTrusted Source analysed overweight and obese participants who had psoriasis. The participants exercised and dieted for 20 weeks, resulting in a reduction in the severity of their psoriasis.

Talk to your doctor about weight loss methods if you are obese or overweight. This may include reducing the calories in your diet and exercising more frequently. Losing weight will help your overall health and may reduce other health conditions you have. Exercising itself is considered to be a great way to manage psoriasis symptoms.

5. Stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake

Smoking and drinking alcohol can aggravate psoriasis. Smoking can cause psoriasis to develop or become more severe. Drinking alcohol may worsen the condition or interfere with treatments. Eliminate these unhealthy lifestyle habits to reduce psoriasis symptoms.

6. Manage stress and other mental health conditions

Stress can negatively affect psoriasis by causing your immune system to overreact. Activities like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness may reduce stress. You should also examine what factors in your life cause stress and work to eliminate these triggers.

You may also find yourself struggling with mental health because of psoriasis. Anxiety and depression are commonly tied to psoriasis and should be treated immediately. Mental health conditions can affect the management of psoriasis as well as increase your risk for suicide.

The takeaway

There are many ways you can manage your psoriasis to prevent flares and reduce the condition’s severity. Seeing your doctor should be the first step in getting on top of psoriasis.

It’s important to keep in mind that psoriasis isn’t curable, and at times symptoms can pop up despite your best efforts to control the condition. You should check in with your doctor regularly to evaluate the condition and to prevent it from getting worse.

https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/moderate-to-severe/ways-to-stay-ahead-of-your-psoriasis?slot_pos=article_1&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=psoriasis&utm_content=2022-06-28&apid=39239719&rvid=058431b717dcfa59c0cdd27cd0a9313769e8b3dd4ad59d88efd0ded7ddb4774e#6.-Manage-stress-and-other-mental-health-conditions

 

Is There a Connection Between Social Anxiety and Psoriasis?

By Susan Navarez

When psoriasis appears it may trigger feelings of embarrassment, anxiousness and depression in a person. It causes massive resentment in the sufferer, forcing him to isolate himself from the society. The patient begins to feel the pangs of stress and anxiety with the onset of psoriasis and having to avoid society.

Diagnosis of psoriasis is invariably followed by psychological issues. According to a study published in the International journal of Molecular sciences, 46% of the psoriasis patients were diagnosed with social anxiety while 38% of them were diagnosed with depression.

Although scientists aren't fully aware of the connection between psoriasis and social anxiety, some studies have shown a strong connection between mental health and psoriasis. Psoriasis, which is a common inflammatory and proliferative disease of the skin, is genetically determined. And studies have found that psychological stress can exacerbate the disease.

There is strong clinical proof that stress plays a pivotal role on the onset and exacerbation of psoriasis.  Research conducted on psoriatic patients says 60% of the patients affirmed that stress was a causal factor for their psoriasis.

Psoriasis acts as a double-edged sword. It can lead to stress itself, and in turn, stress can worsen psoriasis. Most Psoriatic patients said that they faced stress and anxiety due to social stigma associated with it and the cosmetic disfigurement resulting from it. It then precipitates their psoriasis.

Another study showed that a person's age during the onset of psoriasis can contribute majorly towards mental health problems such as social anxiety and depression. The study revealed that people developing psoriasis before the age of 18 years experienced social anxiety in context to stigmatization. However, people developing psoriasis after 18 years of age experienced social anxiety in context to the disease affecting their appearance, which in turn, affected their self-worthiness.

How Social Anxiety and Psoriasis Are Interlinked?

Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is a chronic form of anxiety in which social interaction causes overwhelming fear and anxiousness. A person suffering from psoriasis and co-occurring social anxiety tends to avoid social gathering, family or friends due to feeling of embarrassment and shame.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the signs of social anxiety can include:

. Avoiding social gathering

. Fear of being judged

. Feeling of dreaded fear

. Feeling conscious and embarrassed in front of people

. Physical symptoms including accelerated heartbeat, trembling and blushing

. Avoiding eye contact

. Speaking in a very feeble voice

. Fear of interaction with people

According to National Psoriasis Foundation, prolonged stress can lead to severity of psoriasis symptoms and increase the itchiness.

A person enduring psoriasis might find it embarrassing to go to public gatherings due to visible scar. They have the fear about being ridicule by people. By avoiding social gathering for prolonged period of time, the person might develop symptoms of self-isolation, social phobia and depression. This creates a vicious cycle of mental stress and anxiety and can snowball into a bigger issue if not intervened at the right time. It spirals into bouts of mental anxiety until becoming a full-blown psychological case.

Research suggests that psoriasis is an independent disease that occurs on its own, but it has the potential to develop anxiety. Anxiety, in turn, can exacerbate symptoms of psoriasis. The APA defines anxiety as persistent and excessive worries that refuses to go away despite no stressor causing the worry.

How To Manage Emotional Health and When To Seek Help

People grappling with psoriasis are often actually avoided by people or discriminated in the society. Therefore, educating society about the disease and its psychological consequences on the patients is important. There are therapies that go a long way to deal with it. Intervention programs such as group therapy and family counselling evidently help people suffering from psoriasis in building a supportive network of family and friends and provide motivation.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is another effective therapy to deal with co-occurring psoriasis and mental health issues. It helps to develop positive attitude and better thinking process. CBT also focuses on bringing a change in the behavioural pattern of the patient.

If you or a loved one is struggling with any co-occurring disorder or looking for anxiety disorder treatment, reach out to us for immediate help. Early treatment intervention helps in faster recovery and achieving long-term sobriety.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Is-There-a-Connection-Between-Social-Anxiety-and-Psoriasis?&id=10521492

 

This itchy skin disease found less in women than men

From indiatvnews.com 

Psoriasis - a skin disease marked by red, itchy, scaly patches - happens more in men than in women as the latter produces oestrogen

Scientists have found that the presence of the female hormone oestrogen gives women an advantage over men against severe psoriasis -- a skin disease marked by red, itchy, scaly patches. However, the underlying reason for the sex differences had been unclear so far. Now, a team from Hamamatsu University found that the female hormone oestradiol -- oestrogen steroid hormone -- suppresses psoriasis, and the protective role of the hormone has provided a basis for its therapeutic potential.

                                                                        Image Source : FREEPIK

"Our results have not only revealed the molecular mechanisms of sex differences in psoriasis but also shed new light on our understanding of the physiological role of estradiol," said Tetsuya Honda, from the University's School of Medicine.

The team tested conditional knockout mice, or cko mice, with ovaries removed but supplemented with oestradiol pellets or a placebo. In contrast to wild-type mice, the cko mice without the natural ovarian hormones estradiol showed symptoms of severe skin inflammation.

Once these mice were given oestradiol, the production of IL-17A and IL-1beta cytokines in neutrophil and macrophage immune cells was reversed, reducing the inflammation. This effect was also observed in human neutrophils in vitro.

What intrigued the researchers was how the lack of oestrogen receptors in immune cells made estradiol ineffective against the cytokines.

"These results indicate that estradiol suppresses psoriatic inflammation by regulating neutrophil and macrophage cells," the team wrote in the paper published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

https://www.indiatvnews.com/health/this-itchy-skin-disease-found-less-in-women-than-men-2022-06-26-787575

How to Manage Anxiety When Living With Psoriatic Arthritis

From verywellhealth.com

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a progressive, inflammatory condition that affects the joints and entheses (the tissues that connect tendons and ligaments to your bones). PsA is caused by an over-reactive immune system. It is associated with psoriasis and can be similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

About 1 in 3 people with PsA also have anxiety. This can be explained, at least in part, by the pain and sleep disruptions caused by PsA.If your anxiety is affecting your quality of life, reach out to your healthcare provider to talk about treatments that can help.

Here's a closer look at how anxiety is related to PsA, along with 12 tips to help manage it.

Elva Etienne / Getty Images

How Is Anxiety Related to PsA?

Anxiety is characterized by feelings of worry or fear. It's common for people with chronic illnesses to have anxiety; often, they worry about their symptoms getting worse. Anxiety becomes a vicious cycle for people with PsA because poor mental health can be associated with higher perceptions of pain and more stress, which can trigger painful PsA flares. It is important to make sure mental health is addressed alongside physical health when treating PsA.

12 Tips to Deal With Anxiety

These tips and tricks can help people with PsA manage their anxiety and improve their quality of life.

#1 Develop a Pain Management Plan

Pain is a significant issue for people living with PsA. But knowing you and your healthcare team have a plan in place to deal with it can help keep you from stressing about it. Treating PsA usually involves a combination of medication, physical activity, dietary changes, mental health support, and other therapies. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often the first line of treatment for pain, but if they don't work for you, your healthcare provider may recommend other medications, such as prescription-strength NSAIDs or a corticosteroid drug. 

#2 Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and guided imagery can help with both anxiety and pain. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MSBR) is a noted and effective form of meditation for arthritis. It involves being fully present in the moment and recognizing thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way.

#3 Make Sure You Get Quality Sleep

Sleep problems are common in those with PsA. And not getting enough sleep can cause anxiety or make it worse. Sleep medications, practicing good sleep habits, and relaxation techniques may help, but it’s also important to address any ongoing pain issues that could be contributing to your insomnia.

#4 Consider a Mental Health Specialist

A mental health specialist, such as a therapist, can teach you tools and techniques to manage your anxiety while providing emotional support and referring you for a medication evaluation, if necessary. Taking care of your mental health will not only improve your day-to-day life, it can also help ease your pain and other PsA symptoms.

#5 Seek Social Interaction

The combination of anxiety and physical pain from PsA can make you feel like staying home and not interacting with others. But isolating yourself can make your anxiety worse. Have a lunch date with a friend, schedule a weekly phone call, join a support group—anything to foster a sense of connection with others.

#6 Try Aromatherapy and Other Alternative Therapies

Alternative and complementary therapies for PsA have not been well-studied, so before you try any, talk with your healthcare provider first. That said, you may get some relief from both anxiety and pain by trying acupuncture, massage, or aromatherapy with essential oils. Scents used to treat anxiety and stress include rose, sweet orange, clary sage, and lavender.

#7 Exercise on a Regular Basis

Staying active offers many benefits for people living with PsA. For one thing, people with arthritis notice their joints stiffen up and muscles become weaker when they're inactive. And, of course, exercise is proven to help boost mood, and it can provide a social outlet, too. If you’re interested in starting a regular exercise program, talk with your healthcare provider about what activities are safe and most appropriate for you.

#8 Keep a Journal

Journaling has been found to have benefits for both physical and emotional health. Regularly writing down your thoughts and feelings can help reduce anxiety while also lowering blood pressure and improving immune system function.

#9 Avoid Unhealthy Coping Behaviours

Living with anxiety and chronic pain can be incredibly hard, but unhealthy coping behaviours will ultimately make things worse. These include isolating yourself, avoiding check-ups or not adhering to your treatment plan, abusing drugs or alcohol, and other risky behaviours. If you’re having a hard time coping, reach out to your healthcare provider or a trusted loved one for help. You don’t have to do this alone.

#10 Limit Alcohol and Caffeine

Alcohol has the potential to worsen PsA symptoms and inflammation, and heavy drinking is also linked to anxiety. Too much caffeine can also trigger anxiety. As with anything, moderation is important for both caffeine and alcohol.  

#11 Contemplate Getting a Pet

There are many ways a furry friend can help ease PsA-related anxiety. For example, pets help provide a distraction from pain, provide comfort and companionship, and can reduce feelings of isolation.

#12 Eat Nutritious Foods

While diet cannot cure PsA, certain foods can help improve your mood while reducing inflammation. These foods include fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, lean protein, and colourful vegetables. If you need some guidance, a dietitian can help put together a meal plan that best suits your needs.

Summary

PsA is a chronic condition that doesn’t just affect you physically, but also emotionally. Anxiety is common, but there are many ways to manage it, including exercise, seeking counselling or a support group, developing a pain management plan, and more.

A Word From Verywell

It's important not to overlook the mental health effects of a chronic illness like PsA. If you're struggling with anxiety, tell your healthcare provider. They can go over coping tools with you, and if necessary, connect you with a mental health professional.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Does psoriatic arthritis affect you emotionally?

  Yes. One in 3 people living with PsA were found to have at least mild anxiety, and 1 in 5 reported at least mild depression.

• Does stress trigger psoriatic arthritis flare-ups?

  It can. Your body's stress response can cause your muscles to tense, increasing pain, and it can also trigger inflammation, which contributes to joint damage.

• Do people who live with psoriatic arthritis have a greater risk of having panic attacks?

  People living with PsA have a significant risk of having anxiety, which can potentially lead to panic attacks. Not everyone with anxiety will develop panic attacks, though. The good news is that both PsA and anxiety can be managed with proper treatment.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/psa-and-anxiety-5218914  

Is Natural Sunlight Good for Psoriasis?

From everydayhealth.com

By Howard Chang

Sunlight can help some people with psoriasis, but it can be unpredictable — and sunburn can trigger flares. Here’s how to be sun-smart with psoriasis

Lately I’ve been reminiscing about my childhood backyard pool — a small, aboveground model that my dad assembled. He wanted me to spend more time outside during the summer because he thought sunbathing would help clear my psoriasis.

I’d always felt self-conscious wading at the community pool with people looking at my skin, but the privacy of that backyard pool suited me perfectly.

Since those days I’ve learned more about how to use natural sunlight to treat psoriasis, including important safety measures. Here’s what I know about how to enjoy the summer rays safely.

Is It Safe to Treat Psoriasis With Sunlight?

I asked my dad, who also has psoriasis, if he planned on getting more natural sunlight for his skin. Although he lives five minutes away from a beautiful Southern California beach, he said no without hesitation. He didn’t feel he could accurately measure his light exposure outside the same way he can with his home phototherapy unit.

His response addresses one of the challenges of using natural sunlight as a psoriasis treatment.

Echoing my father’s opinion, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) notes that “using sunlight to treat psoriasis is not recommended for everyone. Sunlight is not as effective for the treatment of psoriasis as prescription phototherapy. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out if treating with sunlight is right for you.”

Natural sunlight contains both ultraviolet A (UVA) and B (UVB) rays. Of the two, UVB works better for treating psoriasis.

When I started using a home phototherapy unit again a few years ago, I agreed with my dermatologist to limit my natural sunlight exposure. As with my dad, I chose to use artificial light therapy with narrowband UVB (NUVB) light in a controlled setting instead of sunbathing.

Sunburn Can Be a Psoriasis Trigger 

With either natural or artificial light, sunburn is a concern. I learned the hard way that sunburn causes my psoriasis to flare. One time my skin felt uncomfortable after a phototherapy session at the hospital clinic; the next day it turned red and burned.

The resulting psoriasis flare took a while to calm down. Ever since then I’ve been extra cautious to avoid sunburn.

A scratch or burn can cause psoriasis to flare in a reaction known as the Koebner phenomenon. About one in four people with psoriasis will experience new lesions where they don’t usually get them at the site of a skin injury such as sunburn.

At the same time, I can’t avoid the sun completely. We have 269 sunny days here in the greater Sacramento area; Sacramento was even named a top 10 sunniest city.

So when I head out in the summer, I take a number of steps to limit my sunburn risk.

Protective Clothing Can Help Prevent Sunburn and Flares

Protective clothing is one way to avoid sunburn. Sunglasses for me are a must, because the skin around my eyes tends to sunburn easily. My sun hat has a brim that protects my face from scorching rays and a drape that covers my neck (it looks like this one). As a bonus, it adjusts comfortably and carries a 50+ UPF rating.

The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that “UPF measures the amount of UV radiation (both UVA and UVB) that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin. For example, a UPF-50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun’s rays,” which greatly reduces the amount of light that passes through to the skin.

The foundation also lists recommendations for sun-safe clothing. For example, darker colours absorb more UV rays, keeping them from reaching your skin. Loose-fitting clothes protect better than tight clothes because stretched fabric can allow sunlight through. Certain fabrics prevent UV penetration better than others.

Apart from my hat and sunglasses, I struggle to dress for sun protection. I typically wear 100 percent cotton clothes that may have a UPF rating as low as 5. I have read about chemical treatments for clothes that can increase UPF values, but I’m unsure if they will irritate my skin.

When the temperature outside exceeds the century-degree mark in July, I probably won’t wear long sleeves and pants. That’s when sunscreen becomes especially important.

Sunscreen Is Vital — Even on Plaques 

I used to wonder why I should wear sunscreen if sunlight could benefit my psoriasis and help produce vitamin D, a nutrient that people with psoriasis often lack. So, I would head out initially without sunscreen with plans to apply it after a few minutes of sun exposure. But I often forgot to do it once I’d started an activity.

Now before going out for a long walk, playing sports, or going to the beach I apply sunscreen first — even on my psoriasis. I take a vitamin D supplement as directed by my healthcare providers to make up for the vitamin D my body won’t produce.

The NPF suggests using a sunscreen that has a “broad spectrum” that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It should be rated 30 SPF or higher, made for sensitive skin, and fragrance-free. They also recommend talking to your dermatologist about sunscreen for your psoriasis.

After some trial and error, I’ve found that Banana Boat Sport sunscreen does a great job of protecting my skin while not irritating my psoriasis.

Outdoor Activities During Peak UV Periods May Raise Sunburn Risk

I asked my family for a home weather station for Christmas last year. As a weather enthusiast, I enjoy tracking and charting local conditions. Mine also reads the solar radiation and UV index in my yard.

I’ve observed that the highest intensity ultraviolet light does not coincide with the heat of the day. I recently noted the strongest UV at 1 p.m., with the high temperature at 4 p.m. The Environmental Protection Agency confirms what I’ve discovered: “The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.” 

If you don’t have a weather station like mine that measures the UV index, use a weather app on your phone. Avoiding or limiting sun exposure during those midday peak hours can reduce the chance of sunburn. If you do need to be outside, seek shade.

Summer Fun Can Be Sun-Safe

I’m looking forward to enjoying the long summer days soon. My son and I are planning to attend minor league baseball games in Sacramento, and the neighbourhood park is beckoning me to grab the frisbee and toss it across the field.

Whatever plans or activities you have for this summer, make sure you are sun-safe and avoid sunburns that can cause psoriasis flares. And it never hurts to check in with your healthcare professionals on the best way to do that given your personal situation.

You can read more about my experiences on my website, PsoHoward.

Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/howard-chang-the-itch-to-beat-psoriasis/is-natural-sunlight-good-for-psoriasis/

How Lifestyle Changes Can Help Manage Psoriasis Symptoms

From t2conline.com

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes rashes on people’s skin. It’s considered a chronic illness, which means it can’t be cured, but it can be treated with medications, lifestyle changes and symptom management strategies. Here are six ways lifestyle changes can help manage psoriasis symptoms.

1. Seeing A Dermatologist Regularly Ensures Your Psoriasis Is Treated Appropriately

When you have a chronic illness or condition, it’s important that you see all your doctors regularly. You should be seeing your primary care physician for your annual exam and your dermatologist at whatever frequency he or she thinks is best. You should also see any specialists your dermatologist recommends or for other conditions you’re experiencing regularly, such as an opthalmologist. You may see your dermatologist and other specialists more frequently when you first begin treatment as finding the most effective treatment type and dose can involve some trial and error.

2. Paying Attention To Your Health Makes Catching Related Conditions Early More Likely

If you have one autoimmune disease, you’re at higher risk of developing other autoimmune diseases. Because of this, you should carefully monitor your health and get screened for any diseases that run in your family, may be related to psoriasis or that you or your physician thinks you may be at risk of developing. Discuss your screening options and level of risk with your dermatologist and your primary care physician.

3. Limiting Smoking And Drinking Can Alleviate Symptoms And Reduce Risks

Flare-ups of psoriasis and alcohol use and smoking are inextricably linked. Consumption of alcohol and tobacco are associated with worsening symptoms, fewer or shorter remission periods and medication losing its effectiveness. You may choose to quit entirely or to limit your consumption of these substances. Avoiding or reducing your consumption of alcohol and quitting smoking are related to fewer flares, longer or more frequent remission periods and reduced risk of developing related conditions. If you’re planning to quit smoking, work with your doctor to determine the best method to do so without causing a flare-up.

4. Eating Healthily Reduces Your Risk of Flares

While medication is the most effective method of treatment for psoriasis, there are also dietary changes you can make to help alleviate and manage symptoms. There are certain foods you should avoid or reduce your consumption of and other foods that would be beneficial for you to introduce to your diet or eat more of. Avoid food items that include refined carbohydrates and added sugars, as well as dairy, gluten and foods that contain high amounts of trans fats and saturated fats. All these foods can contribute to increased inflammation in the body, which is a major contributing factor to flare-ups. By contrast, anti-inflammatory foods such as olive oil, whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits, lean and plant-based proteins and fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, can help reduce symptoms and flare-ups.

5. Improving Your Mental Health Can Relieve Stress

Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis can be frightening and stressful, and these very feelings can actually lead to flare-ups of the disease and worsening symptoms. It’s important to find ways to manage stress and the inflammation it can cause. You can start practicing meditation, take up yoga or tai chi and cultivate hobbies such as painting, reading or gardening. Make time in your day to get some fresh air. Practice mindfulness techniques for acute stress, such as breathing exercises.

6. Exercising Regularly Supports Your Physical And Mental Health

Another way you can relieve and manage stress is through regular exercise. Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, you may need to modify your exercises so they’re low-impact, so you should discuss some options with your doctor before beginning. Exercising regularly can also help you maintain a healthy weight, keep your joints and tendons healthy and limber to reduce your risk of developing psoriatic arthritis and lower your risk of developing diseases related to psoriasis, such as heart conditions, other autoimmune diseases or fatty liver disease.

Always talk to your doctor about your diagnosis and your symptoms. Psoriasis affects everyone a little differently and can have different levels of severity. Your treatment plan and symptom management methods should be tailored to your needs and what’s best for your body.

https://t2conline.com/how-lifestyle-changes-can-help-manage-psoriasis-symptoms/