PATIENTS with psoriasis are 60% more likely to have diabetes compared to controls, according to a meta-analysis.
The review of 27 observational studies found the prevalence of diabetes was even higher – about twice the rate – among patients with severe psoriasis. Read More …
Children who are overweight or obese have a significantly higher prevalence of psoriasis, and teens with psoriasis, regardless of their body weight, have higher cholesterol levels, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published online in the Journal of Pediatrics. The study findings suggest that higher heart disease risk for patients with psoriasis starts in childhood in the form of higher cholesterol levels.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that often starts early in life and, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, affects more than 7 million Americans.
“This study suggests a link between obesity and psoriasis in children,” said study lead author Corinna Koebnick, PhD, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Department of Research & Evaluation in Pasadena, Calif. “But our study findings also suggest that the higher heart disease risk for patients with psoriasis starts in childhood in the form of higher cholesterol levels. We may need to monitor youth with psoriasis more closely for cardiovascular risk factors, especially if they are obese.”
“Very little is known about psoriasis in children where the disease is mostly viewed and treated as a burdensome skin condition and less considered a metabolic disease,” adds Dr. Koebnick.
“Psoriasis may also put children at risk for metabolic disease, as seen in adults, so studies such as these are extremely important in helping primary care providers learn the best way to care for these children,” notes co-author Amy Porter, MD, Southern California Permanente Medical Group’s regional physician lead for weight management, and pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente’s Baldwin Park Medical Center.
Epidemiologic studies in adults have shown that patients with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing metabolic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart attack and stroke. In adults, obesity has also been linked to a higher risk of developing psoriasis, and obesity, like psoriasis, is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
“Both conditions are characterized by a chronic low-level inflammation,” notes Dr. Koebnick. “Yet, we know little to nothing about the metabolic risk of psoriasis, especially when combined with obesity in children.” Psoriasis in children may increase blood cholesterol levels, and this may additionally be triggered by the presence of obesity. While the present study has limitations due to its cross-sectional design where both body weight and information on psoriasis were assessed at the same time, future studies based on this cohort will address these issues.
Read more at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518131433.htm
NEW YORK: Stress kills. Its potentially fatal effect on the heart is well documented. But new research suggests that it is probably the reason for everything from decaying gums to common colds.
An article in Observer, the monthly magazine of the Association for Psychological Science, cites new research across psychology, medicine, neuroscience and genetics to conclude that stress is at the root of a whole range of health problems.
Stress encompasses the strains experienced by living organisms in their struggles to adapt and cope with changing environments. When danger is perceived, a chain reaction of signals releases hormones like epinephrine (‘adrenaline’), norepinephrine and cortisol from the adrenal glands.
These hormones kick up the heart rate, increase respiration, and up the glucose levels in the blood — enabling the ‘fight or flight’ reaction. As these responses take a lot of energy, cortisol tells other physical processes — including digestion, reproduction, physical growth and some aspects of the immune system — to shut or slow down.
When the threat passes, the body’s stress thermostat adjusts accordingly.Cortisol levels return to normal and the body resumes its usual functions.
But problems occur when stresses don’t let up, or when, for various reasons, the brain continually perceives stress even if it isn’t really there.
This causes prolonged exposure to cortisol, which inhibits the growth of new neurons and can cause increased growth of the amygdala, the portion of the brain that controls fear and other emotional responses. It also affects the hippocampus, an area that helps form new memories.
Researchers now say these brain changes are at the heart of the link between stress and depression as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Besides heart disease, PTSD, and depression, chronic stress has been linked to ailments as diverse as intestinal problems, gum disease, erectile dysfunction, adult-onset diabetes, growth problems, and even cancer.
economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/ET_Cetera/Blame_stress_for_shaky_gums_common_colds/articleshow/2688354.cms
Chronic rises in stress hormones have been shown to accelerate the growth of pre-cancerous cells and tumours; they also lower the body’s resistance to HIV and cancer-causing viruses.
http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/mens-health/mens-health-diabetes-458.html
Individuals who suffer from diabetes are at higher risk for kidney disease, arteriosclerosis, blindness, heart disease, nerve diseases, and are at greater risk for infections than the general population.
Because diabetes can cause problems related to the nerves and blood vessels it can cause neuropathy, a condition which causes nerve damage throughout the body. Erectile dysfunction, as a result of neuropathy is common in more than half of men who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Nerve damage does not allow proper communication to achieve an erection, and narrow blood vessel damage does not allow healthy circulation of blood in and out of the penis. The emotional response to engage in intercourse is there, but nerve damage and blood vessel constriction do not allow the proper physical response. This type of problem, diabetes related erectile dysfunction, does not respond as well to drugs such as Viagra as non diabetes related erectile dysfunction.
A diabetic male who is experiencing erectile dysfunction should speak to his health professional. This will determine if the problem is entirely related to diabetes.
Other ways to help with the diabetes related problems include:
• Controlling blood sugar
• Avoid all forms of tobacco
• Reduce or avoid alcohol consumption
• Seek treatment for cardiovascular risk
• Seek counseling if diabetes and erectile dysfunction are causing depression
Diabetes, if neglected, can lead to serious health issues besides erectile dysfunction. Proper diet and a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the consequences of diabetes and if treatment is started early and is persistent, the risk of erectile dysfunction and other health problems will be greatly reduced. If you believe you have symptoms of diabetes see your health care professional immediately.
Diabetes patients usually experience dry skin. Other skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections etc exaggerate when diabetes sets in. Dry skin is common in diabetic people due to following reasons
The dry skin is more prominent on legs, feet and elbows. This results in cracking, fungal or bacterial infections. These conditions are very difficult to treat. Hence diabetes patients have to take utmost care of their skin.
Precautions to be taken to prevent dry skin in diabetes
Amla juice mixed with water help to lower the body temperature during summers. It also helps to reduce body temperature during fever.
Amla helps to expel body toxins. Regular use of amla in the form of powder, juice or raw fruit helps to detoxify body, retard aging process and boosts body immunity.
Wash face thoroughly and apply juice of amla or amla water (3 tea spoons of concentrated amla water). Its astringent properties help to reduce wrinkles and close pores. Amla keeps the skin healthy and increases its fairness and glow.
The berries of amla help to normalize metabolism thus prevents accumulation of fat and reduce obesity.
Regular consumption of amla helps to rejuvenate liver, reduce acidity and problems arising due to pitta . Researches have shown that amla can reduce blood sugar level and helpful in diabetes. For this add 3 tea spoons of amla water to a glass of regular water and consume regularly 4-5 times a day.
Amla is known to improve health of hair. Use pure coconut oil boiled with amla fruits for regular application on hair. Apply this oil at night and massage scalp. Wash it off next day morning.
Persons with oily hair can use amla water (mix 3 tea spoons of amal water + 3 tea spoon of lemon juice + water – quantity required) as hair wash.
Amla is known as “vrishya “ in Ayurveda. Vrishya means aphrodisiac. It helps to rejuvenate male reproductive system and to increase the fertility of women.
Preparation of Amla water: Amla water can be used when fresh amla fruit juice is not available. Follow these steps to make amla water. Take 3 tea spoons of dry amla fruits. Thoroughly wash them and soak over night in clean water. Mash and Squeeze the soaked amla fruits next day morning and filter the juice. Store this juice in a small jar and refrigerate it. Mix this concentrated juice to clean water according to use.
Amla powder: Powder dry fruits of amla. Add hing, rock salt according to taste. Consume this mixture with hot cooked rice and a tea spoon of ghee. This helps to reduce indigestion and acidity.
Nimbasthiktaha katuhu paake laghuhu sheetoagnivatakrit |
graahi hridyo jayetpittakaphamehajwarakrimeen ||
This means the neem is bitter in taste , light to digest and has cooling properties. Because of these properties it increases agni (the power of digestion) and vata dosha. It acts as an astringent and helps to reduce intestinal motility in diarrhea .Texts of ayurveda mention neem as hridya or cardiac tonic. Its action on doshas is as follows- Neem increases vata, normalises vitiated pitta and kapha. It also controls meha or increased frequency of urination. Researches have indicated the benefits of neem in diabetes. Ayurvedacharyas have indicated uses of neem in fever and infections.
