Managing Chronic Inflammation With Psoriasis

Doctors aren't sure what causes psoriasis, but they think it's a condition where the body's immune system causes too much inflammation. This inflammation is the main reason behind the symptoms.

About 1.07–3.46% of adults in the EU have psoriasis. It shows as bumpy, discoloured patches on the skin, but it can also impact other parts of the body, like the joints and eyes.

The main thing connecting all these symptoms is inflammation, which is the body's way of reacting too strongly to something it thinks is a problem.

Unravelling The Triggers: What Causes Inflammation In Psoriasis?

In people with psoriasis, a mix-up in the immune system leads to too much inflammation in the skin's middle layer, the dermis. This problem also causes skin cells in the outer layer, the epidermis, to grow faster than normal.

Usually, skin cells take about a month to grow and then fall off, but in people with psoriasis, this happens in just a few days. Instead of falling off, the skin cells build up on the surface, causing thick, scaly patches, swelling, and red or discoloured spots.

Psoriasis might seem like just a skin issue, but the inflammation it causes can affect the whole body. It can raise the chances of getting heart disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and a specific kind of arthritis related to psoriasis.

Managing Inflammation: Is There A Way To Treat Inflammation?

Even though the immune system not working right leads to inflammation in psoriasis, research shows that changing how you live and what you eat can help lower this inflammation. This can make symptoms better and improve how you feel day-to-day.

By following these healthy habits, many people with psoriasis can have long stretches where they don't have any symptoms.

There are also medicines for psoriasis that focus on calming down the inflammation. These can be creams you put on your skin, shots, or pills.

Every person with psoriasis is unique. Some might need more treatment than others to manage their condition.

Taking Control: How To Manage Inflammation?

Right now, there's no cure for psoriasis, but certain habits might help lower the inflammation associated with it and lead to periods when you don't feel the symptoms as much.

Eating A Nutritious Diet

Eating healthy is a big part of this. What you eat can affect inflammation in your body. Research has shown that some types of food can make psoriasis riskier and symptoms worse.

A healthy diet can be different for everyone, but here are some tips that might help:

• Try to stay away from foods that cause inflammation. These can make psoriasis flare up. Things like sugary drinks and processed foods like chips, candy, and certain types of meats can be triggers.
  
  
• Think about eating in a way that fights inflammation. Eating lots of fruits, veggies, and other healthy foods can help keep psoriasis symptoms in check. For instance, a study found that people who ate more like they do in Mediterranean countries, which means lots of plant-based foods and healthy oils, tended to have less severe psoriasis.
  
  

Maintaining A Moderate Weight

Being overweight is a risk factor for developing psoriasis, and people with psoriasis who are also overweight might have more severe symptoms compared to those who are at a healthier weight.

Losing weight can help lower inflammation in the body and improve psoriasis symptoms for people who are overweight.

A study in 2020 showed that people with psoriasis who were overweight and managed to lose 12% of their body weight over ten weeks saw a big decrease in how severe their psoriasis was, with some experiencing a 50–75% reduction in severity. On average, participants lost 23 pounds.

Implementing Other Healthy Habits

Adopting healthy habits can also play a big part in lowering inflammation and making psoriasis symptoms better, like:

• Stopping Or Avoiding Smoking: Smoking is really bad for your health and can make inflammatory conditions like psoriasis worse.
  
  
• Drinking Less Alcohol: Drinking a lot can increase inflammation and make psoriasis symptoms more severe.
  
  
• Keeping Moving: Sitting around too much isn't good for psoriasis. Research shows that people with psoriasis who don't exercise much tend to have worse symptoms than those who stay active.
  
  
• Sleeping Well: Not getting enough sleep can inflate your body. Studies have found that bad sleep can raise inflammation levels in your blood. Adults should aim for 7–9 hours of sleep each night to stay healthy.
  
  
• Handling Stress: Being stressed out for a long time can put your immune system on overdrive and cause more inflammation. Many people with psoriasis say stress triggers their symptoms. Trying stress-reducing activities like meditation and yoga might help.

When To Seek Medical Help

If you're experiencing a psoriasis flare-up and want to learn how to lessen the symptoms and inflammation, talk to your healthcare team, including your skin doctor.

They can suggest treatments depending on your symptoms and give tips on diet and lifestyle changes that might help reduce inflammation and improve your psoriasis. They might also recommend taking certain vitamins or supplements.

If you need help or medical advice, Mobi Doctor is available to assist you. You can contact them for professional guidance and support tailored to your needs.