Help! My Psoriasis is Riotous ? Part 1…
So many sufferers are embarrassed and troubled by the symptoms of this condition. Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin disease that causes inflammation and scaling of the skin that affects approximately 2 percent to 2.6 percent of the U.S. population. Normal, healthy skin experiences cell turnover about once a month, but when you have psoriasis, the skin cells rise way too fast and actually pile up on top of each other.
Conventional treatment shows mixed results, but is only a temporary fix that doesn’t get to the heart of the issue. There are many natural remedies, with a psoriasis diet making the very top of the list. Studies have shown that intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome is very common with these sufferers. Making the right food choices can make a world of difference. As the National Psoriasis Foundation says, “Happy diet, happy life.”
Symptoms can vary according to the form. You might be thinking psoriasis is just an annoying skin condition, but it can also result in psoriatic arthritis, which is an inflammation of the joints affecting 30 percent of all psoriasis patients. The most common symptoms, especially those seen in people with plaque psoriasis, include:
- Plaques of red skin, sometimes also covered with a crust of scales that tend to be silver or white
- Loose skin or lesions that can be sensitive, itchy and painful
- Dandruff on the scalp
- Cracked, discolored skin that easily bleeds and bruises
- Finger and toenail discoloration or growth of toenail fungus
- Nails that detach from the nail beds and can be painful or bloody
Many people also suffer from emotional problems due to feeling embarrassed and hopeless about their skin.
Psoriasis is often found on the elbows, legs, scalp, lower back, face, palms and soles of the feet. However, it can also occur in other locations, such as the fingernails, toenails, genitals and inside the mouth. The scalp is affected in about 50 percent of sufferers, making it one of the most obvious concerns in people with the condition.
Most doctors are unsure about what causes psoriasis, but many natural physicians have found contributing factors. Possible causes include:
- Overactive immune system (psoriasis is an autoimmune disease)
- Poor diet
- Abnormal small intestine permeability
- Increased number of T cells in the blood, dermis and epidermis
- Difficulty digesting protein
- Emotional stress
- Hormonal changes
- Genetics
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Poor liver function
Now that we have a clear understanding of this disease’s complexity, we can talk about ways to naturally lessen the symptoms and flare up frequency next week.
As always, feel free to leave questions, comments, or other topics of interest!
“See” you next week!
