Cost Of Psoriasis: Chronic Skin Disease Linked To Obesity, Diabetes & Other Disorders

Psoriasis is found to be linked to diabetes, obesity and other types of metabolic disorders. A non-contagious chronic skin disease, psoriasis develops when a person's skin cells grow rapidly and develop in just a matter of days instead of weeks.

The recent research was conducted by researchers from Denmark's University of Copenhagen, and examined information about 33,588 Danish twins with ages between 20 to 71 years old. According to the study headed by Dr. Ann Sophie Lønnberg, 7.6 percent of psoriasis occurrences happen in 456 respondents with diabetes, Medical News Today reported.

Those who have psoriasis also have a high body mass index, or BMI, clocking in at 25. In the research, 6.3 percent of the respondents have BMI rates at 30-34, which puts them on the obese level. The recent data obtained by Lønnberg's team puts people with psoriasis at greater chances of being obese or developing high BMI. The average BMI rate of a human body is at 24.5.

Caused By Same Genes

The study's authors suspect that psoriasis and obesity originated from similar genetic causes. It is also possible that diabetes and obesity trigger psoriasis. Nevertheless, the researchers advise people with psoriasis to practice a healthier lifestyle to lessen the chances of developing diabetes and obesity.

What Triggers Psoriasis

Thick red skin and silvery plaques (on the elbows, knees, scalp, face, lower back, palms and soles of the feet) are the common indicators of psoriasis, but it can also affect the joints. Psoriatic arthritis, which can have the same symptoms as other types of arthritis, ultimately occurs in 10 to 20 percent of psoriasis sufferers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Aside from obesity and diabetes, people with psoriasis also have high chances of developing heart diseases, stroke and mental distress such as depression. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES, found that 6.7 million adults have psoriasis, but the disease can also occur among children.

Food To Avoid

Psoriasis can be triggered by smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol, rigorous physical activity and psychological stress. Though not scientifically proven, food could also play a part in psoriasis flare-ups. Dr. Jerry Bagel of the Windsor Dermatology in East Windsor and Hightstown, New Jersey said if psoriasis patients found that certain food and drinks trigger their diseases, it is wise to remove it completely from their diets.

Some of the diets that could be bad for psoriasis patients are junk foods, red meat, dairy products, gluten and condiments like ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, Tabasco sauce and curry, Everyday Health listed. Nightshade plants (tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes) and citrus fruits (lemon, oranges, grapefruit) are also big no-nos and could trigger psoriasis flare-ups.