What Is Psoriasis

Could this be psoriasis you ask yourself but what is Psoriasis anyway? Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by thickened areas of skin and scaly red.

Normally every 28-30 days the skin is renewed with new cells are formed in the lowermost layer and then matured and placed in the top layer during 30 days. With psoriasis renewal process is accelerated and psoriatic cells develop and manage to reach the surface of the skin in as little as three to five days. While normal cells are eliminated without anyone noticing, the skin cells with psoriasis grow accumulate and form the characteristic scaly lesions or plaques. Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, although its appearance is more common on the elbows, knees and scalp.

Psoriasis can be limited to small areas on the body and can cover areas of moderate to large skin in which case the disease is classified as moderate to severe .

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis of the back. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The cause of psoriasis is not completely understood. However there is much evidence that the acceleration mechanism of skin renewal is led by the overproduction of a substance called tumor necrosis factor cone or TNF alpha. TNF alpha is involved in controlling inflammatory processes and in normal amounts can help our bodies fight infections and heal themselves.

It is believed that people with psoriasis may have a genetic predisposition to this disease and also that this disease may be triggered by environmental factors. Triggers include stress, infections with certain viruses and bacteria or reactions to certain medications.

Psoriasis affects more than five million men and women world wide. Your symptoms may occur at any time of life, but more than one third of patients starting experiencing it before age 16^.

What is Psoriasis and The hidden impact of psoriasis?

Identifying the physical effects of psoriasis is very easy. But what most people do not realize is that this disease also has a serious emotional and psychological impact. People with psoriasis say they feel ashamed and stigmatized because of their skin and suffer from anxiety and stress due to the reaction of the people. This leads to feelings of shame that people with psoriasis want to cover their skin as much as possible: some completely change their wardrobe and only buy clothes that can hide their skin from others. Ultimately, psoriasis can prevent people who suffer from their hobbies or even to withdraw from their social circle just to avoid offensive statements and reactions, hurtful comments and the constant need to explain why the appearance of your skin.

Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of developing other diseases such as obesity, diabetes type 2 and depression. Untreated psoriasis may be an independent factor risk for stroke, especially in young people with severe psoriasis. Patients in around 40 years old with untreated severe psoriasis are more likely to suffer a heart attack than people their own age and not suffering from this skin disease.

A recent survey has shown that patients with moderate to severe psoriasis tend to adopt unhealthy habits in their daily lives, for example, they are more prone to smoking, not exercising regularly and not keeping a healthy diet.