CAUSES OF PSORIASIS

Finding an effective cure for psoriasis would be much easier for scientists if they understood exactly the reasons for its occurrence. The question "why? " Appears not only in the illuminators of science, but also in every patient who is compelled to fight this disease. Theories about stimuli began to emerge hundreds of years ago. Today we have dozens of conjectures available, but all are still awaiting scientific evidence. Studying even the possible causes of psoriasis will help many patients avoid recurrence of the disease, and healthy people may not even cope with it at all.

Inheritance theory

World dermatology has managed to establish one of the reasons for the appearance of psoriasis for sure - it is a genetic predisposition. Today, 60% of all psoriasis patients have a relative with the same problem. Such conclusions prompted scientists to study in more detail the theory of the hereditary origin of scaly lichen.

On April 5, 2013, the WHO Secretariat compiled a research report in this area. I managed to install the following:

1. if one of the parents is ill in the family, the risk of the child's illness is 14%;
2. if both parents are affected in the family, this risk increases to 41%;
3. if a sibling is ill - 6%.

In this case, psoriasis can appear even after several generations, "bypassing" the previous ones.

An important task for biochemists was to find out which gene is responsible for such an inheritance. A patient genome study has identified nine gene loci that may be associated with psoriasis. However, the exact gene that is responsible for inheriting the disease has not been determined.

It is only known that not scaly lichen is inherited, but only a predisposition to it. This means that a person whose relatives have encountered a similar problem will not necessarily suffer from psoriasis. Therefore, it cannot be considered an exclusively hereditary disease. In order for psoriasis to appear, additional pathogens will be needed, which can also be considered its causes.

Furthermore, the question remains about the remaining 40% of patients - why did they get sick if no one in their family suffered from a similar problem? This task forces scientists to further investigate the causes of scaly lichen.

Infections and viruses as pathogens

Infectious disease theory emerged one of the first, it began to be investigated about two centuries ago. 19th century scientists were convinced of the guilt of pathological microorganisms and diligently tried to determine which of them were responsible for this disease. This explanation seemed the most obvious, as psoriasis in patients can appear suddenly and also suddenly pass into remission. And today there are supporters of this idea among scientists.

Followers of infectious theory believe that pathogens send an impulse to the vegetative division and the endocrine system, affecting their functions. Such changes disrupt the body's normal ability to respond to the impact of the environment, to adapt to it. As a result, if we add another provocative factor, skin cells die not in 30 days (which is natural for them), but in 4-5 days, therefore a group of keratinized cells appear on the hands, head, face orin the rest of the body. pezmatim

For many years, doctors have researched fungi and bacteria, trying to find the relationship between them and the root cause of the disease. But among the pathological organisms known by medicine, there is none that can become the "trigger mechanism" of this dermatosis. Today, the infectious theory of the appearance of scaly lichen is not considered the main one, nor has it been completely rejected. There is still a link between psoriasis attacks and infections.

It has been proven that angina, acute respiratory viral infections, streptococci, tonsillitis and other infections often accompany the first outbreaks of scaly lichen, and in the remission phase provokes a relapse. But most doctors tend to believe that infections only provoke the onset of an already existing disease.

The theory of the viral nature of the disease was also one of the first to emerge. However, this assumption has been completely shattered by the time medicine discovered that psoriasis does not spread from person to person. However, there are viruses that persist in the body for years, reduce immunity and can cause psoriasis if the skin’s immune system is damaged. In practice, there are cases of blood transfusions from a sick person to a healthy person, even though a healthy body is not infected with lichen scales.

Theory of impaired metabolism

One of the characteristics that doctors noticed during psoriasis was a low temperature in patients. At first, this was considered one of the symptoms of the disease, but over time, doctors gave a different meaning to this phenomenon. The fact is that a constant drop in temperature indicates a disturbed metabolism.Patients' blood tests have confirmed that patients with psoriasis have high cholesterol in adults and children.

Such indicators indicate a violation of lipid metabolism in the body. This, in turn, leads to rapid keratinization of skin cells, which is why some scientists consider psoriasis as cholesterol diathesis. However, it has not yet been possible to determine if cholesterol rises before or after the first outbreak.

In addition to cholesterol in the patient's body, the balance of minerals and vitamins is disturbed, such changes also lead to serious consequences. It was found that vitamin C in patients with scaly lichen is excessive and vitamins B6, B12, A are not enough. They also noticed that they have broken content:

• zinc;
• iron;
• copper;
• cobalt.

Changes in the mineral complex significantly reduce the adaptive and protective functions of the body. That is, scientists believe that metabolic disorders can create an ideal platform for the disease: weaken the immune system, shorten the lifespan of skin cells, and so on. In the presence of an irritating factor (trigger), the disease progresses and the first symptoms appear. What factors may influence this, we will also examine a little below. Such shifts cause not only inflammation in the body, but also psoriasis of the nails.

Such violations in the balance of useful ingredients are laboratory confirmed. Therefore, when treating psoriasis, it is dangerous for a patient to take vitamins on their own. In complex therapy, a diet is necessarily used, often by starvation and low-calorie food, as carbohydrate metabolism in patients is also impaired. Positive developments from such activities partially support the theory of impaired metabolism.

But most doctors consider such shifts as a consequence, not a cause of illness. Such suspicions are based on the fact that metabolic disorders would slowly lead to other symptoms at first, and psoriasis appears in most cases immediately on the skin.

Hormonal disruption in pathogenesis

Patient statistics show that women are slightly more likely to suffer from psoriasis than men. Moreover, in the weaker sex with such a problem, outbreaks of psoriasis symptoms are seen mainly during periods of ovulation and menstruation. Such characteristics in the "behavior" of the disease prompt scientists to think about the hormonal factor in the development of the disease.

Indeed, in the case of hormonal failures, patients often have relapses: during pregnancy, menopause, taking hormonal medications, etc. This hypothesis is supported by general statistics of the first manifestations of the disease. In women, the initial symptoms occur at the age of 15, in men a little later - up to the age of 20-25. This is due to the fact that hormonal balance occurs later in the stronger sex.

But this theory also met opponents in the face of scientists. The fact that shifts in the hormonal background cause outbreaks of dermatosis today does not raise suspicions among doctors, however, this is considered to be the leading cause of the disease. The hypothesis that hormones can cause psoriasis in a healthy person is ruled out, as the first symptoms and relapses of the disease occur against the background of hormonal “calmness”.

Psychosomatics of the disease

Research by the World Health Organization in the field of psoriasis has found that 2% of the total population of the planet suffers from this disease. At the same time, the percentage of patients in developed countries and megalopolises is much higher than in the suburbs or underdeveloped countries - on average, it is 4. 6%. An unusual trend began to be studied, hoping to find the cause of psoriasis. The research and conclusion of the scientists regarding this phenomenon was that psoriasis can be caused by psychological causes.

The skin is created to reflect the general condition of the body, all changes in the state of health, including psychological instability, are "controlled" in it. Some doctors are inclined to believe that psoriatic plaques are the body's way of reporting a problem on a neural basis. Hence the fluctuations in statistics: in megacities, life is more hectic, accompanied by a lot of stress, in contrast to a more measured life in a small town.

Psychologists who are also involved in treating patients are more sensitive to this theory. It is believed that mental disorders can affect not only the moral component, but also the organic composition, namely the body. Thus, various changes in the nervous system can cause indigestion, skin rash, breathing problems, and changes in heart rate.

These disorders include:

1. Suppression of desire. For example, "I want to live with another person / work in another job / hit my boss / move. "Suppression of such desires leads to the fact that adrenaline is deposited in the body and gradually destroys their organs and functions.
2. Stress, neurosis, depression. Such changes can cause the same metabolic disorders, hormonal disruption, etc.
3. Guilt, unfulfilled task.
4. Self-confidence.

5. Dissatisfaction with your body.
6. Constant feeling of fear, anger or other strong emotions.

Sedative treatment and psychological training yield visible positive results in patients, which works in favor of the psychosomatic nature of psoriasis. Even suspicions about babies (where do they get psoriasis then? ) Are explained by psychologists. Newborns are known to be able to feel and respond to the condition and well-being of the mother. So, in case of problems with the mother, the baby can undergo various changes, up to pathology.

Child custody is also seen as a factor in the development of scaly lichen in children. For example, in the absence of motherly love, a child experiences the same strong emotions as an adult (pain, fear, anger). The body, in turn, tries to report malfunctions and papules and plaques appear on the skin.

Excessive parental care can also lead to such consequences, but this case occurs mainly in families with children from 4 years old. The formed personality is trying to get more freedom, and the parent, on the contrary, is trying to connect the child with himself. The resulting conflict affects the sensitive body of the child in the form of an inflamed rash.

Today, this theory of the causes of psoriasis is considered one of the main, along with immunological. Scaly lichen therapy enchantingly includes self-improvement, exclusion of negative thoughts and stress, and a state of rest. For treatment, they even prescribe meditation and yoga classes, trips, hobbies, which helps the patient no worse than medication. However, the course and development of the disease suggests that the psychological factor is far from the only one.

Hypothesis in case of impaired immunity

Research in the field of genetic theory of the origin of psoriasis found that all patients have impaired cellular immunity. This trait is also inherited, but can also arise as a result of gene mutations. Scientists have suggested that with an innate or acquired predisposition, damaged skin may be subject to autoimmune aggression. That is, the body perceives the affected skin cells as hostile and attacks them.

This assumption was supported by patients' blood tests and the study of scales on plates. It turned out that in keratinized cells there are indeed antigenic complexes and antibodies to these complexes were found in the blood. In healthy people, this is not seen in either the blood or the dermis.

Such analyzes suggest that immune disorders play an important role in the formation of the first foci of psoriasis. In the complex treatment of drugs, taking into account this fact, antihistamines are used to reduce the aggression of the immune system to their cells. However, there are still a number of factors that influence the course of the disease and its recurrences, while not related to immunology, therefore, of all the theories considered, there is none that was unanimously accepted.

Causes of recurrence that can be prevented

Research into the root cause of disease has led to the emergence of a mass of theories and hypotheses awaiting their scientific justification. Despite the fact that we could not find a single cause, we have an extensive list of factors that cause relapse.

The first of these factors is stress, negative shifts in the nervous system trigger the onset of the disease and provoke outbreaks of existing psoriasis. Given this fact, doctors recommend that their patients avoid stressful situations when possible.

Patients are shown an active lifestyle, playing sports, traveling.

In about 14% of patients, scaly lichen begins at the site of trauma and skin damage, this is possible if a person already has a predisposition to psoriasis. Scratches, scratched bites or redness may be the site of papules and plaques. Patients should carefully monitor the condition and cleanliness of the dermis, treat the wound site with hydrogen peroxide, and apply bandages or plaster.

Regular moisturizers are also advised for body and scalp care, as dry skin is more likely to recover. It is necessary to give up cleansing and peeling, hard wash covers so as not to damage the skin once again. You need to moisturize your body with hypoallergenic creams, oils or baby oils. At the first signs of a rash, you should not rely on reviews and photos online in order to "decide" independently the diagnosis. This will only take precious time, it is better to consult a specialist.

Medication (both pills and medicinal oils) should be monitored by a physician, mainly antibiotics and immunomodulators. Even extra vitamins can provoke the progression of the disease, especially vitamins C, A, B. If you are infected with infections or fungi, you should definitely consult a doctor and not treat yourself. It is important not to bring chronic viral diseases and not to delay going to the doctor.

Proper nutrition is essential. Patients are assigned a diet that will strengthen the body and reduce the risk of relapse. For each patient, this is an individual nutritional system based on the stage of the disease, the level of immunity and the presence of concomitant diseases. It is important not to break the rules of the prescribed diet, avoid discarded foods, allergic foods (honey, nuts, chocolate, citrus fruits, red foods, etc. ).

Thus, the patient must maintain a completely healthy lifestyle: exercise the body, monitor nutrition and strengthen moral health. This also includes the mandatory rejection of alcohol, as even small doses provoke an outbreak of the disease. Such principles will serve to prevent not only psoriasis but also many other diseases.