Health psoriasis often with serious accompanying diseases

Hypertension, diabetes, depression: psoriasis often with comorbidities

In Germany, around two million people suffer from psoriasis. The chronic skin disease is often associated with comorbidities. Therefore, it is important not to limit yourself to psoriasis treatment alone. Experts explain what can help those affected.

Two million Germans suffer from psoriasis

Around two million people in Germany suffer from psoriasis. This is one of the chronic inflammatory diseases of the whole body and is not a skin disease alone. According to health experts, every fifth patient also suffers from joint problems such as swelling of the toes, fingers, knees or spine. In addition, psoriasis is often associated with serious comorbidities. Therefore, it is important not to limit yourself to psoriasis treatment alone.

Around two million people in Germany suffer from psoriasis. Since this is often associated with comorbidities, one should not limit the treatment to psoriasis alone. (Image: Farina3000 / fotolia.com)

Patients usually have at least one more illness

Since psoriasis often has comorbidities in addition to itching, red skin and white-silvery dandruff, the Barmer Krankenkasse advises to regularly check the general state of health in addition to the proper treatment of the skin.

"Those who suffer from psoriasis usually have at least one other condition, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint disease or depression," explains Dr. Utta Petzold, dermatologist at the Barmer, in a statement.

"Therefore, it is important to check the corresponding values ​​regularly," says the expert.

Psoriasis doubles diabetes risk

"Psoriasis is now considered a chronic inflammatory disease in which the skin lesions are only one aspect. It affects the immune system, "says Petzold.

The risk of a psoriasis patient for type 2 diabetes is about twice that of the general population.

Depression in psoriasis sufferers is about twice as common, and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are 3.5 times as common.

More than twice as often it comes to complications such as a heart attack.

"In order to counteract the health risks of psoriasis, an early diagnosis of concomitant diseases is important," says Petzold.

Refatting products and relaxation techniques can help

Anyone who suffers from skin lesions, especially with hornlösenden and anti-inflammatory creams, ointments or medical oil baths treated. Depending on the severity, light therapy with or without UV radiation is also used.

"Important for psoriasis is the regular skin treatment with moisturizing products. You should also take a lukewarm shower and dab off afterwards, "advises Petzold.

Drugs in the form of tablets or syringes, which reduce the activity of the immune system, not only on the skin, but also against inflammation on affected joints, for example.

In natural medicine, there are other treatments for psoriasis that cause little or no side effects.

In addition to bath therapies with sulfur-containing natural mud and volcanic water or salt from the Dead Sea, the natural urine therapy should also be mentioned here.

Also methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), homeopathy, nutritional therapies and acupuncture can help many sufferers.

In addition, many patients with psoriasis benefit from relaxation techniques such as yoga. Stress should be avoided. (Ad)