Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, non- contagious, autoimmune disease that presents as a chronic skin condition and has a significant impact on the psychology and quality of life of patients. According to the researcher, Dr. Usman Khalid, it is considered a systemic inflammatory disease that affects the whole body and not individually one part of the skin. Psoriasis happens due to a combination of factors that cause disorders in the function of the immune system and leads to chronic inflammation, which is mainly reflected in the skin.
Clinical signs and symptoms of Psoriasis
In the skin of psoriatic patients, erythematous papules develop, which coalesce to form round or oval plaques, clearly detached from the surrounding normal skin. These plaques are covered with silvery scales, which are attached and after their removal spotted bleeding lesions form (Auspitz point). Also, these plaques can cause a burning sensation, pain and/or itching.
These symptoms can occur anywhere on the body. However, Psoriasis has a selective location on the elbows, knees, scalp, buttocks, fingernails and toenails, lower back, palms and soles.
Psoriasis and Statistics
Psoriasis affects approximately 1.5% -3% of the world’s population. 35% of patients report a positive family history for the disease. Psoriasis occurs with the same frequency in both sexes, regardless of age. The usual age of onset is considered the 3rd-4th decade of life.
Causes of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a multifactorial disease with multiple potential causes.
Autoimmune mechanisms and inflammatory pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis with the simultaneous involvement of environmental and immune factors. In addition, based on epidemiological data and observations, it is claimed that there is a genetic predisposition which in combination with the triggering risk factors leads to abnormal stimulation of cells of the immune system.
Triggering risk factors are those that affect a genetically predisposed individual and lead to the onset of the disease. These can include certain infections (streptococcal pharyngitis, HIV), the use of certain medications (antidepressants and antihypertensives, etc.), obesity, alcohol, smoking and sudden fluctuations in temperature. Psoriasis can also occur after an injury through the Koebner effect.
Furthermore, disorders of the pituitary gland, thyroid or adrenal glands and various hormonal imbalances can accelerate the development of disease lesions. In addition, deficiencies in micronutrients and vitamins, which contribute to the processing of metabolic processes in the body, have a negative effect on the course of the disease and help maintain inflammation.
Therapeutic approaches for Psoriasis
Common treatments for Psoriasis include Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, Retinoids and Topical Corticosteroids. However, these therapeutic approaches are based only on reducing the symptoms of the disease and can cause unpleasant side effects in the human body, such as nausea, increase in liver enzymes and serum triglycerides, dry skin and mucous membranes, hair loss, kidney damage and hypertension.
Modern Medical Treatment
For the effective treatment of Psoriasis, it is necessary to achieve an “internal” treatment, which can detect the causes that cause the biochemical diversion and have as a consequence the occurrence of Psoriasis. The modern medical approach identifies the real causes of Psoriasis and differs from the conventional treatment methods.
Each patient should complete a thorough medical history, with the help of which epigenetic factors are analyzed, which are each blamed individually or in combination for autoimmunity. In addition, specialized molecular tests are performed, through which the imbalances and deficiencies of the organism are found at the cellular level, which disorganize the immune system and eventually lead to the onset of the disease.
Based on the diagnostic findings, individualized medical protocols are developed that eliminate the causes that caused Psoriasis. Namely, it is a causal treatment and not symptomatic. Therapeutic protocols that are aimed at eliminating the causes are the ones that can restore homeostasis to cellular and hormonal levels and thus assist in the partial or total recovery of Psoriasis.
The course of the disease is examined on a monthly basis and the treatments are configured based on the set of symptoms and biochemical indicators. With these methods, the treatment time is optimized and the best possible result is achieved. As a result, the overall health of patients is improved and their quality of life is significantly enhanced.
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