If you have sarcoidosis, you can live well. The key is forming a strong partnership with a rheumatology specialist, so you can work together to manage your condition and stay as healthy as possible.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, stress is a common trigger for psoriasis flare-ups. To make matters worse, dealing with a psoriasis flare-up can heighten your stress, creating a vicious cycle. If you’re suffering from the painful and sometimes embarrassing symptoms of psoriasis, we can help. Nathaniel Neal, MD, Rebekah Neal-Kraal, MD, Michelle Pratt, MSN, FNP-BC, and the team at Valerius Medical Group & Research Center offer several treatment options to reduce inflammation and relieve your symptoms.
What comes first: the stress or the psoriasis? While plenty of people experience stress but don’t develop psoriasis, it’s a common trigger for outbreaks. When you have psoriasis, your immune system responds to a trigger as it would to an illness or infection. In this case, the result is a buildup of skin cells that turn into the red, dry, scaly, itchy, and sometimes painful patches on the surface of the skin.
Stress can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to inflammation and a host of illnesses and health problems, including infections and cardiovascular disease. In fact, infections like strep throat are also common triggers for a psoriasis flare-up.
While avoiding stress altogether is impossible, developing healthy coping mechanisms and tools is the key to controlling stressful events and protecting your mental and physical health. And if you smoke and drink alcohol, you may want to abstain or practice moderation, especially during periods of high stress, as both are also known triggers for psoriasis outbreaks.
Identifying your triggers is the first step towards managing your psoriasis. Whether it’s stress or a combination of other triggers, there are several lifestyle modifications you can make to lower your risk of a flare-up. Here are a few simple stress management tools and activities you can incorporate into your routine:
Whether you like to go to the gym for a spin class or prefer to spend time hiking, running, or even just walking outside, staying active and getting regular exercise is essential for a healthy mind and body. Just remember to keep your skin (and scalp) protected from the elements when you’re outside.
A food journal can help you keep track of what you eat, and how your diet affects your stress levels and psoriasis flare-ups. Drink enough water to stay hydrated to avoid dry skin and make sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Self-care and stress relief is different for everyone. Some people enjoy and benefit from practicing meditation and yoga, while others may find that cooking and enjoying a meal with family and friends. For others, reading a novel will do the trick. Experiment (and have a little fun) to find activities and practices that help you relax and keep stress and anxiety at bay.
For more information about lifestyle modifications you can make to lower your risk of psoriasis flare-ups, contact our Los Alamitos, California, office today by calling 562-294-6533 or you can book an appointment online.
You Might Also Enjoy...
If you have sarcoidosis, you can live well. The key is forming a strong partnership with a rheumatology specialist, so you can work together to manage your condition and stay as healthy as possible.
Polymyositis is a condition that can cause muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Read on to learn what this condition is and the treatment options that are available for it.
Uveitis is a serious inflammatory condition that affects the eye. Without prompt intervention, the risk of damage and vision loss is high. It’s wise to see a rheumatologist if you have this condition or suspect you do.
Chronic joint pain can make you feel miserable, especially during the winter months. This winter, outsmart joint pain by following some helpful tips.
Shoulder pain can strike suddenly or develop gradually over time. When it strikes, regular activities can become challenging. Read on to find out four possible causes of shoulder pain.
Trigger points are invisible to the naked eye, but these areas of muscle can trigger pain throughout the musculoskeletal system. Fortunately, trigger point injections can bring relief. Read on to learn more.