Non-light beer intake and psoriasis risk
Dr. Vender
Monday December 19, 2011
As reported in the Archives of Dermatology, the likelihood that the study group of U.S. women would develop psoriasis over a 14-year follow-up varied by both the amount and type of alcoholic beverage consumed. Overall, the study showed that women who drank more than 2.3 alcoholic beverages a week were at greater relative risk for psoriasis compared with non-drinkers.
However, in the study, non-light beer was the only alcoholic beverage that increased the risk for developing psoriasis—the risk being between 1.8 and 2.3 times higher among women who drank 5 or more non-light beers a week compared with women who abstained from alcohol.
In contrast, drinking light beer, red or white wine or liquor was not significantly associated with the development of psoriasis. The barley in beer may act as a psoriasis trigger as barley contains gluten, which has been associated with psoriasis. A gluten-free diet may improve psoriasis severity in patients with a gluten sensitivity.
Stress is an important factor in psoriasis
Dr. Vender
Wednesday December 14, 2011
Stress is a well-known trigger in the appearance or exacerbation of psoriasis. Stress can worsen symptoms in those who have psoriasis, and in some instances, a stressful event may trigger the onset of psoriasis.
In a recently published review of stress and quality of life in psoriasis, the authors examine various studies that have reported an association between stress and psoriasis. For instance, it appears that psoriasis patients whose disease affected “emotionally charged” regions of the body such as the face, hands, and genital region, reported greater psoriasis-related stress.
The Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Plaque Psoriasis notes that psychologic aspects can modify the course of psoriasis by interfering with treatment adherence. In particular, feeling stigmatized can lead to treatment non-adherence and worsening of psoriasis.
Since stress is an important trigger in psoriasis, and patients may benefit from the treatment of this stress through meditation, yoga, hypnosis, and relaxation exercises. These should be practiced after consulting experts in the field.
Partners, relatives of those with psoriasis can be significantly affected as well
Dr. Lynde
Monday December 05, 2011
Quality of life can be adversely affected not only for patients with psoriasis themselves but their partners and relatives as well.
Thirty-three partners and relatives of UK patients with psoriasis were interviewed while another 30 replied to the same questions on a questionnaire. Forty different aspects of quality of life were identified.
Seventy percent of survey participants stated that their partner’s treatment or treatment of their relative meant that they had to spend extra time on housework. 57% of them described psychological pressures such as anxiety and being worried about the patient’s future. 55% of partners and relatives indicated they suffered some sort of social disruption due to lack of social confidence because of their partner’s or relative’s psoriasis as well.
Forty-four percent noted that their partner’s or relative’s psoriasis limited holiday plans, sport and leisure time activities and evenings out, while 37% felt that the disease placed limitations on daily activities such as shopping, work and time spent with other family members.
The same percentage at 37% also felt that their relationship with the partner or their relative had deteriorated.
Nail involvement in psoriasis
Dr. Vender
Thursday December 01, 2011
Nail psoriasis can occur in up to 50% of psoriasis patients, with a lifetime incidence estimated to be between 80 and 90%.
The clinical manifestation depends on which part of the nail is affected by the disease. For example, if the nail matrix, or root is involved, smooth-surface lesions giving the nail a whitish appearance may occur. This is known as leukonychia. Red spots and crumbling are also associated with nail-root psoriasis involvement. The most common clinical manifestation is pitting (small depressions in the uppermost layers of the nail plate).
If the nail bed is affected by the psoriasis, there may be oil-drop discolouration, splinter hemorrhages, nail thickening, also known as subungual hyperkeratosis and onycholysis, which is separation of the nail plate and the nail bed.
It is important to take care of your nails if you have nail psoriasis. Some tips include keeping the nails trimmed back with manicure scissors, keeping nails as short as possible. Since trauma to nails will often trigger or worsen nail psoriasis, it is best to wear gloves while working with your hands.
Nail psoriasis is often challenging to treat because psoriasis affects the nail when the nail is being formed. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for nail psoriasis.
Is there a link between diet and psoriasis?
Dr. Vender
Thursday November 10, 2011
The question of diet as a psoriasis trigger has been studied but further research is necessary before offering a definitive recommendation on which foods help psoriasis and which foods should be avoided. There is no specific evidence that food or beverages that contain yeast trigger psoriasis.
It has been suggested, however, that since psoriasis is essentially an inflammatory disorder, patients should benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet. This consists of “good fats” (such as cold water fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil), whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit. With this in mind, foods that are considered “bad fats”, such as saturated animal fats, trans fats, fried and processed foods, should be avoided.
It appears that people who are obese don’t respond as well to psoriasis treatment. Inflammation may be the root of this problem, since excess body fat leads to inflammation elsewhere in the body, and may contribute to the worsening of your psoriasis. Thus, diet can be linked to psoriasis.
According to the Canadian Guide to Psoriasis, “alcohol seems to be the only dietary factor that appears to directly affect psoriasis – the more you drink, the more your psoriasis may flare.” The yeast in beer and wine, however, has not been scientifically linked to psoriasis.
