Getting a psoriasis diagnosis can be challenging. While there are treatments that can keep your symptoms under control, it may take some trial and error to find the right one. Those with psoriasis are also at a higher risk of developing other health conditions. Knowing these conditions will help you and your care team monitor your health.
Here are nine conditions you should be watching out for if you have psoriasis and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
Autoimmune diseases
Some diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect those living with psoriasis at a higher rate. Why does this happen? Researchers are still trying to figure that out.
“There’s no specific answer to the ‘chicken-and-egg’ question,” Shivani Kaushik, M.D., an assistant professor at the Rutgers Center for Dermatology, tells SELF adding that the diseases may be linked because they all cause inflammation in the body. “For many patients who have extensive psoriasis, there is no doubt that they have inflammation going on inside as well,” she says.
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How to protect yourself
You can't avoid developing autoimmune disorders altogether, however, it helps to monitor your psoriasis on a regular basis. This includes taking your medications and contacting your doctor if you have new or worsening flare-ups. It may also help to create a plan to keep inflammation under control, SELF notes.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition with a direct connection to those living with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis, which occurs when the immune system starts to attack healthy joints and tendons typically develops seven to 10 years after the onset of psoriasis symptoms.
This doesn't automatically mean you will develop psoriatic arthritis, however.
Only about 20 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis are eventually diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, according to a study. What's more a small number of people with psoriatic arthritis have no preexisting psoriasis symptoms, according to Medline Plus.
“We do know certain kinds of psoriasis patients tend to have higher chances of developing psoriatic arthritis,” including scalp psoriasis and inverse psoriasis, according to Samar Gupta, M.D., an associate professor at the University of Michigan Medical School and the chief of VA clinical rheumatology and medical education.
How to protect yourself
If you begin to experience joint pain, notify your doctor immediately. Early detection is key because the earlier you start treatment, the better your odds of preventing psoriatic arthritis-related joint damage.
Cardiovascular disease
Psoriasis can cause chronic inflammation, which can lead to fat and cholesterol buildup in your arteries. If you develop a lot of this kind of buildup, it can lead to a stroke or heart attack.
How to protect yourself
In order to reduce inflammation and your risk of heart disease, it is important to keep up with your psoriasis medication. It should also be noted that some psoriasis medications, including steroid hormones, retinoids, and some immunosuppressive drugs can raise your risk of cardiovascular disease.
If you’re using one of these medications, ask your doctor about the risks. He or she can help you determine if regular blood tests to monitor your numbers are necessary as well as ways you can minimize any possible side effects.
Depression
It's no surprise that living with a chronic illness can affect more than your physical health. Dealing with the visible, and often painful symptoms of psoriasis on a daily basis can take an immense toll on your mental health.
“Most of the people who get diagnosed with psoriasis are younger than 40, which means they’ve got another 40 years to live with it,” Alan Menter, M.D., chairman of the division of dermatology program at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, tells SELF. “That can be psychologically incapacitating.”
In fact, 16.5% of individuals with psoriasis reported having symptoms that could be diagnosed as major depression, according to a 2016 study of 12,382 people published in JAMA Dermatology. (This was compared to 8.9% of people who had the same symptoms but didn’t have psoriasis.)
How to protect yourself
It is important to prioritize your mental health just as much as your physical health if you are living with psoriasis. One great way to do this is through therapy. Not sure where to start? Try finding a therapist that has experience working with people living with chronic conditions.
“We don’t always think about therapy as something that could help us with navigating a health condition, but that’s not correct,” says Lauren Selfridge, L.M.F.T., a therapist in private practice in California. “There are many therapists, including myself, who specialize in working with people with health conditions. People can actually get specific care for this. One common thing I hear from people is that they wish that when they were newly diagnosed, they had reached out for therapy.”
Anxiety
The unpredictability of what your day may look like can understandably cause anxiety. About two to 23 percent of people with psoriasis report having anxiety compared to one to 11 percent among those without the condition, according to the aforementioned review of studies published in Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.
How to protect yourself
When anxiety happens, it is important to take a break and do something that you enjoy.
“Maybe you spend some time journaling. Maybe you spend some time talking with a trusted friend or a family member,” Selfridge suggests. “Or maybe you zone out and watch a movie or go for a walk or play a video game—do something that gives you that mental and emotional rest of not having to be constantly processing.”
Additionally, keeping up with your medication can help with anxiety and depression because seeing improvement in your skin and other symptoms may cause you to feel more confident.
Parkinson’s disease
Although the cause of Parkinson's disease remains unknown, many people that develop the neurological condition tend to have inflammation in their brains.
A 2016 meta-analysis of four studies including more than 66,000 people found that those with psoriasis are 38% more likely to develop Parkinson’s compared to people without it.
How to protect yourself
Experts are still working to determine how people can reduce their risk of developing Parkinson's disease. However, you can be alert of potential symptoms so that the doctors can catch the disease early and work with you on a treatment plan.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a collection of health issues that may raise your risk of experiencing heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, SELF notes. Increased waist circumference, high blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia (high levels of fat in your blood), reduced high-density lipoprotein (your “good” cholesterol), and/or insulin resistance (your body has a harder time using the sugar in your blood for energy) are all contributing factors to metabolic syndrome. In order to get a diagnosis, you must have at least three of these.
“Metabolic syndrome is a very, very important issue, because it is tied into cardiovascular concerns as well,” Dr. Menter explains to SELF. Having psoriasis, especially a severe form, is correlated with developing each individual condition in metabolic syndrome.
How to protect yourself
The American Heart Association advises limiting processed foods, saturated and trans fats, red meat, sodium and added sugars. Instead, consume a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, skinless poultry, fish, nuts, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, lean meats and vegetable protein. You should also aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week. Losing weight and monitoring your calorie intake can reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Eye diseases
Having psoriasis increases your risk of developing eye conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), dry eye, uveitis (eye inflammation), and cataracts. However, data on how often these diseases develop in people with psoriasis remains conflicting.
Overall, about two-thirds of people with psoriasis will develop some sort of eye condition, according to a study.
How to protect yourself
Talk to your ophthalmologist or optometrist about how often you should have routine exams. These exams are critical to catching any potentially problematic symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes
If you've been paying attention, you know by now that inflammation can lead to several conditions. Type 2 diabetes is another condition linked to inflammation. Although the risk is higher if you have severe psoriasis, researchers aren't clear whether having one is a risk factor for developing the other.
How to protect yourself
Treating your psoriasis quickly and effectively is key to reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Exercising frequently, eating high-fiber, nutritious foods (whole grains and vegetables) also help keep your blood sugar levels down.
This list may be concerning, but it is important to note that these are not psoriasis complications. By staying on top of your symptoms and treatment, you can successfully manage your psoriasis. If you spot any changes, notify your doctor quickly so that he or she can help you come up with a solution as quickly as possible. Everything is better when caught early.
