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Psoriasis Psychosomatic

Any advice for Psoriasis?

I've had it for years. it doesn't really bother me, but obviously I'd rather not. I am convinced, however, that it is entirely psychosomatic. I van watch it flare and change within a matter of minutes and it depends on my stress levels and emotional state how bad or good it is.

There is no cure, but many different treatments, both topical (on the skin) and systemic (throughout the body), can clear psoriasis for periods of time. People often need to try out different treatments before they find one that works for them.
There are many effective topical treatments. While many can be purchased over the counter (OTC), others are available by prescription only.

Anthralin
This prescription topical can be very effective in treating plaque psoriasis. It does not work as quickly or as thoroughly as superpotent topical steroids, but unlike steroids, it has no known long-term side effects.

Dovonex
A form of synthetic vitamin D3 approved for treating psoriasis, available by prescription. It slows down the rate of skin cell growth, flattens psoriasis lesions and removes scale. Dovonex also can be used on the scalp and for nail psoriasis.

Salicylic acid
Also known as "sal acid," salicylic acid helps remove scales and is often combined with topical steroids, anthralin or tar to enhance effectiveness. Available in both OTC and prescription forms.

Tar
Coal tar is available over the counter in crude and refined forms to treat mild, moderate and severe psoriasis. For decades, tar was viewed as the "traditional" treatment for psoriasis, and it remains a safe, effective and readily available treatment option for many people.

Tazorac
Tazorac topical gel and cream (also known by its generic name tazarotene) are FDA-approved for treating plaque psoriasis. Tazorac is a vitamin A derivative and is also known as a topical retinoid. It is available by prescription.

Topical steroids
Corticosteroids, ordinarily called "steroids" by doctors and patients, are routinely used to treat psoriasis. Topical steroid medications can be very effective in controlling mild to moderate psoriasis lesions. They are easy to use and work relatively quickly. Most are available by prescription.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition of chronic intestinal discomfort. Sufferers may experience lower abdominal pain, bloating, constipation alternating with diarrhea or frequent diarrhea, gas, mucus, urgent bowel movement, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement. The symptoms of IBS usually remain below the waist. However, the condition may also cause difficulty swallowing, a sensation of a lump in the throat, acid indigestion, nausea, and chest pain.

The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders says that people with this condition number between 25 and 55 million people in the United States alone. This condition is the reason for 2.5 to 3.5 million visits to doctors every year. It affects men and women of all races and all ages.

In the Western world, the frequency of irritable bowels ranges from 6 to 22 percent. The syndrome affects apprxoimately 14 to 24 percent of women of all ages and 5 to 19 percent of men of all ages. Frequency is about the same among Whites and African Americans, but is lower in Hispanics and Asians.

Many people with the disease report that their symptoms began with a major life event: a death, a divorce, incarceration, or a financial crisis. Some people develop the disease after abdominal surgery or a bout with another intestinal disease. Recurrences sometimes occur after consumption of a food to which the IBS sufferer is sensitive. But while a flare-up may occur in response to any of these stimuli, it can also occur for no apparent reason at all.

Despite the fact that symptoms often occur for no obvious reason, IBS is not a "psychosomatic" illness. While many people with this disease understandably develop social anxieties after they develop a disease causing frequent diarrhea and flatulence, most IBS sufferers have normal psychological profiles before they develop the disease. On the other hand, attitudes definitely affect the course of the disease. IBS suffers who conceal aggressive tendencies are less likely to improve when given antidepressants. IBS sufferers who have dissociative tendencies, that is, who are in a state of denial about traumatic events in their lives, are also more likely to suffer longer and more severe symptoms.

And people who suffer dysthymia, a psychological condition that can be recognized by ongoing mild depression or irritability generally accompanied by other symptoms (as disturbances of appetite, insomnia, fatigue, and low self-esteem), are up to 33 times more likely to have the conditionthan people who do not.

A large number of irritable bowel sufferers spent their childhood years in privileged or wealthy homes. Higher socioeconomic standing is frequently associated with excessive cleanliness, which has been found in dozens of studies to predispose children growing up in those homes to developing allergies. It is also associated with childhood use of antibiotics.

Since the exact causes of the condition are unclear, irritable bowel falls into a category of diseases physicians call functional. This description means that while the bowel obviously does not function properly, there is no obvious cause. People who have it tend to have other functional diseases, including:

-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

-Dysmenorrhea

-Fibromylagia Syndrome (FMS)

-Irritable Bladder

-Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

-Migraine Headaches

-Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCSS)

-Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)

-Periodic Limb Movement (PLMS)

-Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

-Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)

-Tension Headaches

The reason individuals can experience a wide range of symptoms from several syndromes is not clear, but a person who has the symptoms of one disease on the list is likely to have symptoms from several diseases on the list.

On the other hand, irritable bowel can be distinguished from other intestinal diseases. It differs from celiac disease in that people with celiac disease experience marked intestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and gas upon the consumption of foods that contain gluten, such as products made from wheat, oats, rye, and barley. When celiac disease sufferers eliminate gluten-containing foods, the symptoms disappear. It also differs from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. In IBS there is no trace of blood in the stool, and no history of fever or chills.

Irritable bowel syndrome is not life-threatening. It does not lead to Crohn's disease or colon cancer. The syndrome is, however, serious. It greatly diminishes quality of life. People with irritable bowel are more likely to miss work, more likely to be placed in the hospital, and more likely to endure uncomfortable and embarrassing diagnostic procedures. Symptoms fluctuate over time, but even 5 years after the first episode, 35 percent of IBS sufferers will continue to have the disease.

What foods should you consume if you have IBS? If you have this syndrome, chances are you have problems with dairy products. Lactobacillus acidophilus is particularly good for people who cannot digest lactose in milk. It maintains a proper balance of bacteria in lower intestines, and aids in digestion. Also helpful is any source of natural fiber. Brown rice, carrots, currants, dried beans, figs, fresh peas, raisins, and whole wheat are excellent sources of fiber.

Read about What to Do When Activia Doesn't Work and Is Beano Safe? Robert Rister is the author or co-author of nine books on natural health including Healing without Medication.