Here Are a Few Things to Know about Psoriasis

Here Are a Few Things to Know about Psoriasis
Symptoms

Psoriasis occurs when your immune system is too weak. It is a disease of the skin that is unfortunately chronic. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the skin cells multiply at an uncontrollable rate. It results in scaling and flaky skin. The disease has no cure and will occur multiple times during one’s lifetime. It mostly starts as a person enters adulthood. The scaly and flaky skin usually occurs on the knees, scalp, and elbows. The scaling could be limited to a few patches or can cover the entire body.

Causes of psoriasis
There is no particular reason for the occurrence of psoriasis. Some common causes of psoriasis include genetic disposition and environmental factors. If psoriasis runs in your family, then there are high chances that you will also develop this disease. A compromised immune system is also one of the major causes of psoriasis.

Gene theory
One-third of the people who have psoriasis have a relative who has the same disease. However only 2-3% of the people who have a gene which causes psoriasis report of suffering from the disease. Over 10% of the American population carries one or more of these genes.

Environmental factors
While the gene for psoriasis may be present in many, only a few suffer from this disease. Environmental factors play a large role in triggering these genes, which makes the disease ‘active.’

Some of the triggers that are also causes of psoriasis include the following:

  • Cold weather accompanied with dryness. This type of weather will dry up your skin, prompting a flare-up of psoriasis.
  • Many patients have reported that a flare-up usually occurs due to stress they might be experiencing. Paradoxically, having psoriasis itself can be a cause of stress.
  • Infections like strep throat and tonsillitis can result in a flare-up of a particular type of psoriasis.
  • Some medicines can act as a trigger for psoriasis genes. These medicines include lithium, some beta-blockers, and drugs for malaria.
  • Skin trauma such as burns, cuts, tattoos, and vaccinations can result in psoriasis occurring at the site of injury.
  • Alcohol and smoking have been proved to aggravate the symptoms of psoriasis.

Immune system
In psoriasis, your body’s defense system mistakenly identifies the healthy cells as infections and begins to attack them. The disease causes an excessive growth of skin cells. These cells get pushed up to the surface which is what you see as scaly, flaky skin. Since your skin cannot shed all the excess skin at a rate that it needs to, the cells build up on the surface. Due to the infection, the immune system is on an overdrive which causes inflammation.

Treatment of psoriasis
There is no cure for psoriasis or any way to avoid the causes of psoriasis. The best you can do is to treat the appearance of your skin. These are the different types of treatments for psoriasis.

  • Topical treatment: Topical treatments are usually enough to treat mild to moderate instances of psoriasis. For severe cases, these are prescribed along with other medications. Most topical creams lose their effect over time. It is best used sparingly and for occasional flare-ups.
  • Vitamin D : A cream containing vitamin D will go a long way in treating mild forms of psoriasis.
  • Topical retinoids : Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and reduce inflammation. These cause sensitivity to sunlight. Thus, wear sunscreen when using retinoids. Pregnant women must consult with their doctors before using these creams.
  • Salicylic acid : This topical cream helps to remove the extra skin and scaling. It is available in shampoos and conditioners that will help with any flare-up on the scalp.
  • Moisturizers : While moisturizers won’t prevent any instances of psoriasis, they can help with the dryness and scaling. It is best used after a shower to lock-in moisture.
  • Light therapy: Exposing your skin to controlled amounts of light has proven to be effective when combating psoriasis.
  • Sunlight : Exposing yourself to small amounts of sunlight will slow down the rate of skin cell formation. However, prolonged exposure can lead to more damage. Consult with your doctor before trying this.
  • UVB phototherapy : Using an artificial light source, your skin will be exposed to UVB light. This treatment is particularly useful for improving mild to moderate instances of the disease.
  • Excimer laser : This treatment also uses UVB light albeit in a more controlled manner. The rays are directed to only the patches with psoriasis, thus leaving the healthy skin unaffected.
  • Oral medication : Some types of medicines that are taken orally or via injections can help with instances of psoriasis.
  • Retinoids: As mentioned earlier, this vitamin A derivative is a potent treatment for psoriasis. Pregnant and nursing women must avoid the oral form of retinoids.
  • Cyclosporine: This drug will help by suppressing your immune system. It will reduce the inflammation and production of new skin cells.

Consult with your doctor and a dermatologist for a comprehensive treatment of psoriasis. There are many alternative medications you can consider such as fish oil, aloe vera, and Oregon grape.

Latest.

Things to Know Before Opting for a Breast Enlargement Surgery

Things to Know Before Opting for a Breast Enlargement Surgery

Generally, women tend to ask questions quite often regarding the different ways in which they can increase the size of their breasts. Well, breast sizes differ from one woman to another. The size of the breasts grows over time, and the growth begins during puberty. In case the breast size has not grown over time due to hormonal abnormalities and one wants to enhance the size of their breasts, breast enlargement surgery is the best option. One can check out breast enlargement photos to get a proper idea. If one has already made up their mind, there are certain things that they need to know before opting for a breast enlargement surgery. Why go for breast enlargement? Breasts are an asset to the feminine look. It is often found that women want to enlarge their breast size, but they should be careful of fake medications in the market that may have harmful effects and may lead to dangerous issues. One of the ways to go for breast enlargement is to opt for a breast augmentation surgery. Take a look at some photos of breast enlargement for a better idea. What is breast augmentation surgery? Breast augmentation surgery is known to enhance the size of the breasts and give them an attractive shape. This cosmetic surgery is conducted by placing saline breast implants. One can even check out some breast enlargement photos before undergoing this surgery to see for themselves. These photos will give one a perfect picture of how they want to do it for themselves. A woman who is undergoing this surgery can give specifications or complete details regarding the size or shape that they want, and the surgeon will perform the breast enlargement by placing the implant accordingly. This surgery is opted by women for different purposes, some of which are enlisted below:
Top Skin Tightening Creams for a Youthful Look

Top Skin Tightening Creams for a Youthful Look

Almost everyone loves their skin in their 20s and 30s. Your skin is firm, bouncy and even if you’ve stayed out all night, a dab of cream and a little makeup can make you look fresh again. However, nothing stays forever, and as you age, it becomes harder to keep your skin looking fresh and young. By the time you reach your 50s, your skin produces only half the collagen it did in your youth. Fear not as you can shave off the years with skin tightening creams . These are creams that can help slow down the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and other such signs of aging. Here are some of the most popular creams that can tighten your skin . Bioelements Sleepwear This overnight cream is made up of a combination of time-released retinol, topical calcium, protein peptides, and cranberry seed oil, among other ingredients. While you sleep, this cream is hard at work replenishing antioxidants, strengthening the skin, revitalizing collagen, and improving moisture retention. When you wake up, you won’t just feel refreshed after a good night’s sleep, you’ll look fresh too. Artistry Luxury Crème Women who’ve used this cream have said that it made their skin feel softer and smoother in as little as two weeks. The cream uses Cell Effect Technology with a cardiolipin-driven complex to energize skin cells and repair visible signs of aging such as dark circles and wrinkles. It also moisturizes the skin and improves the skin’s moisture retention capabilities. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream This clinically proven skin tightening cream has been known to reduce wrinkles and make skin firmer in just 15 days. The cream uses a unique combination of Ginkgo Biloba, Mediterranean Algae, precious rose, Chlorella, and Mimosa absolutes to reduce the appearance of fine lines and moisturize the skin.
Top 10 Testosterone Boosting Supplements in the Country

Top 10 Testosterone Boosting Supplements in the Country

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and plays a vital role in the male reproductive system. It is responsible for developing reproductive tissues and promotes characteristics like bone density, muscle mass, and growth of body hair. This hormone is also responsible for the overall wellbeing of the human male body. The hormone is naturally secreted by testicles of the male anatomy. Although it is a natural hormone, testosterone also plays an important role in medication; for example, in the treatment for low testosterone levels in older men, certain forms of breast cancer, and to enhance physical performance mainly in athletes. The testosterone levels decrease as men age. Insufficient levels of testosterone in men may lead frailty and bone loss. Most men experience a decline in testosterone levels after 40. Testosterone boosters are supplements that can help men increase testosterone levels. The best testosterone boosters have certain ingredients responsible for naturally increasing the hormone levels. D-Aspartic Acid (D-AA) is an amino acid that can make and release the hormone in the brain, which results in testosterone production. Another important ingredient is ZMA, which is a combination of zinc monomethionine aspartate, magnesium aspartate, and vitamin B6. Vitamin D, a herb called Ginseng, and fenugreek are few other ingredients that are found to be the best testosterone boosters. Here are some of the best testosterone supplements available in the market: DAA Max by Vital Labs This product has been the all-time favorite for many years. It has high D-AA content that substantially increases hormone production. The composition also includes Vitamin D, Calcium, and Zinc among others. Apart from testosterone boost, it helps reduce estrogen levels. Individuals who have used the product consistently recommend the product. Sergeant Steel by Assault Labs It is one of the most recommended and top testosterone supplements as it includes effective ingredients that provide treatment for low testosterone levels.
Effective Tips to Control Your Blood Sugar Level

Effective Tips to Control Your Blood Sugar Level

Blood glucose levels are primarily controlled by the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas. After a meal, blood glucose rises due to the digestion of the food. This triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas, which promotes glucose absorption until it reaches the normal level. But, in individuals with defective functioning of insulin, the blood glucose level remains higher for a longer period. Chronic uncontrolled blood sugar or hyperglycemia damages various body organs, nerves, and eyes. As a diabetic, it is extremely important to keep your blood sugar level always in check. Blood sugar range : In a healthy person, the normal blood sugar levels are below 100 mg/dL after fasting, but can spike to 140 mg/dL 2 hours post meal. However, in a diabetic, the fasting blood sugar itself can reach to up to above 200 mg/dL. How to keep the blood sugar under check? A proper diet and exercise plan is a must to manage a diabetic’s blood sugar level . Moreover, a diabetic must monitor the blood sugar level on a regular basis for effective management of sugar levels. A few common tips to keep the blood sugar under check are as follows: Diet : A well-planned diet is a must for the management of high blood sugar. Carbohydrates : The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a proper monitoring of carbohydrate intake in a meal to control blood sugar levels in diabetics. Include healthy carbohydrates such as milk, fruits, legumes, grains, and yoghurt, which do not cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. Avoid highly processed or refined carbohydrates like candy, white rice, and white bread because they rapidly increase the blood sugar levels. A well-balanced diet must be designed after consulting a doctor to maintain the healthy blood sugar levels. Offset carbohydrates with fat and protein :
10 Home Remedies for Treating Hemorrhoids

10 Home Remedies for Treating Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, or more commonly known as piles, are clusters of veins which lie just beneath the mucous membranes which line the lowest part of the rectum and the anus. This condition involves swelling and distension of those veins. Internal and external hemorrhoids are the two types of this condition. Internal ones occur in the lower rectum whereas the external ones develop under the skin around the anus. It is widely considered that external hemorrhoids are the ones which are the most painful and uncomfortable since the overlying skin erodes due to irritation. Moreover, if there is a blood clot on the inside of external hemorrhoid, then the pain can get much more severe. How can one recognize external hemorrhoids? Itchy or burning sensation around the anus A painful lump or swollen area near the anus Difficulty in sitting down Painful bowel movements Fecal incontinence There are different types of both homemade and surgical remedies available for curing external hemorrhoids. Some of the common ones have been explained in brief as follows: Witch hazel : Witch hazel is an astringent which causes tissues to shrink and reduce bruising. Along with this, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To use it, one has to add a small amount of witch hazel to a cotton ball and then dab it on the affected area to get relief from the symptoms. However, if there are signs of irritation, then one should go for a more indirect method. It is advised to not add alcohol to witch hazel in an attempt to dilute it as it can cause further irritation. Coconut oil : Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and can help with hemorrhoid symptoms like reducing irritation and swelling. Moreover, it can also reduce provide relief from the itchiness experienced. Aloe vera :
Best Foods for People with Kidney Disease

Best Foods for People with Kidney Disease

Due to an extremely fast-paced lifestyle which encourages bad habits, more than 10% of the world’s population is facing severe kidney problems. In order to keep your kidneys safe and healthy, you need to keep a check on your diet at all times. There are the certain foods that can help your kidney to function well that you must be aware of. Let’s take a look at some those foods that help you to adopt healthy kidney diet plans. Olive oil Olive oil is an excellent source of fat, and as it is free from phosphorous, it becomes a wonderful option for those people who have kidney issues. Generally, patients diagnosed with kidney problems experience a rapid loss in weight. Including a high-calorie food element makes for healthy kidney diet plans and this helps you maintain a suitable body weight Most of the fats in olive oil are monounsaturated which bear anti-inflammatory properties. One ounce or 28 grams of olive oil will provide you with: Potassium: 0.3 mg Sodium: 0.6 mg Phosphorus: 0 mg Buckwheat Most of the whole grains that are available in the market tend to be very high on the phosphorous content. However, buckwheat is a wonderful and healthy alternative to these grains. It is a food item rich in nutrition that provides the body with the required amount of iron, fiber, magnesium, and B vitamins. It is also free from gluten which makes buckwheat a great choice for those who suffer from celiac disease. One cup or 84 grams of buckwheat will provide you with: Potassium: 74 mg Sodium: 3.5 mg Phosphorus: 59 mg Garlic Generally, patients with kidney problems are asked to lower their sodium intake which includes the use of added salt. Garlic is a great alternative to that. It gives your dish a wonderful added taste and flavor.