Psoriasis was not only common skin disease. A recent study showed that people with psoriasis have increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Number of patients with psoriasis over the years continued to rise. In the United States alone, approximately 7.5 million people suffer from the symptoms of thick, red, scaly, and itchy skin. Not only physically ill, the patient had psoriasis will also experience a fatal health condition in the future if not controlled properly.

A new study published this week in the American College of Cardiology in Atlanta, the United States was mention of people with psoriasis are more likely to risk of heart attacks and strokes than those not having these skin disorders.

Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital is to track the number of people with psoriasis, heart disease, stroke, and death in all teens and adults in the Danish population between 1997 and 2006. They found that people with severe psoriasis about 54 percent more likely to suffer a stroke, 21 percent more to get heart attacks, and 53 percent will die after 10 years of illness than non-psoriasis sufferers.

They are also more likely to require surgery such as angioplasty to open their heart arteries are clogged. While patients with mild psoriasis also have the possibility of increased risk of stroke and the angioplasty procedure. People with severe disease at a younger age at highest risk of cardiovascular problems, “said researcher Ole Ahlehoff MD, was quoted by webmd.com.

This analysis take into account other risk factors for heart disease, including age, gender, treatment performed and other health conditions. “People with psoriasis should not only seek care for symptoms of the disorder, but also should be examined to determine risk factors for heart disease and make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems in the future, such as maintaining a healthy weight,” explained Ahlehoff.

Another study, presented last week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Miami Beach, Fla., the United States showed psoriasis is also associated with an increased risk of cancers, including skin cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma. Researchers from the Health Economics and Outcomes Research at Abbott Laboratories to get data from insurance claims database that holds information about 93 million people around the United States.

They identified 37,159 people with psoriasis and to compare their possible cancer with 111,473 other people without psoriasis, in the same age. Known, people with psoriasis are likely to suffer from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and become obese (obesity).
During an average period of about 1.5 to 2 years, approximately 34.8 percent of people with psoriasis was diagnosed with cancer. In contrast, only 23.2 percent of those with healthy skin cancer. Researchers concluded, 56% higher risk of cancer for people with psoriasis.

The type of cancer that can be suffered by people with psoriasis is 75 percent for skin cancer, 87 percent of lymphoma, and 22 percent of prostate cancer. “Some of the medications used for psoriasis are likely to increase the risk of skin cancer.
But the link to other cancers can not be explained by the therapy, “said Alan Menter, MD, Director of the Psoriasis Research Unit at Baylor Research Institute in Dallas, United States.

Psoriasis itself is an immune disorder disease, which affected mainly by T cells (a type of white blood cells). Activated T cells will interact with skin cells (mainly keratinocytes) and resulted in the formation of a thick skin and scaly. The cause of this disease is still unknown, but the researchers have managed to find the abnormal gene that leads to the formation in patients with psoriasis. Thus, this disease has a hereditary disease risks.

Psoriasis is generally not life threatening, although very disturbing quality of life. Personal life, social, and work is also suffering greatly affected by the disease if the skin disorder of a particular place (eg the face, palms of the hands / feet, or genitals).

If not treated properly, complications may develop the disease (the disease becomes worse) as Psoriatic eritroderma (whole body skin becomes red) or generalized psoriasis pustulosa (psoriasis with small bubbles containing pus) that could endanger patients lives.

Nowadays, there are variety of psoriasis treatment is safe and effective. The treatment help to repair the skin conditions and reduce itching complaints. Of the many types of treatment, only a small portion can be cleaned with psoriasis treatment of skin disorders. The process is called clearance or remission.

Until now I have found no drug that can cure psoriasis in total. All the existing treatment can only suppress the symptoms of psoriasis. Most people never reach a state of remission of free treatment. Another thing that must be considered before selecting treatment degrees of severity of psoriasis was suffered. Also, disease location, type, age, sex and medical history, too patient.

Diabetes clearly increases the risk of one of various cardiovascular disorders, including heart attacks, hypertension, or stroke. To reduce the risk of heart disease, doctors will usually give medicine to restore the abnormal levels of blood fats.

Unfortunately, recent studies show medicine therapy to control blood pressure and lower blood sugar does not help prevent cardiovascular disease. In fact, medicine therapy in some cases cause side effects.

A decade ago, health officials in the United States conducted three studies to see whether the three types of intensive therapy to lower blood sugar, blood pressure or blood fats are effective for preventing heart attacks and strokes in diabetics (diabetes).

A study of the blood sugar was stopped two years ago when researchers look at blood sugar control treatment was not much effect. However, two studies are in progress.

In studies of blood fats (triglycerides) which is done by researchers from Columbia University and involving 5500 people with diabetes who also have the risk factors of other heart disease, namely hypertension and high cholesterol.

All the respondents received statins, cholesterol-lowering medication. Half of the respondents have triglyceride-lowering medicines and the rest a dummy medicine. Five years later the entire group of respondents known to have the same incidence of stroke and heart attack. This means that medicine therapy does not help much.

From the results of research, proven therapies that incentives by medicine-oatan is not able to reduce the incidence of heart attacks, although it is able to prevent a stroke. However, experts do not recommend people with diabetes to stop taking the medication without consulting their doctors.

So what should people with diabetes do? Stay focused on diet and healthy lifestyle and keep trying medications doctors recommended to reduce the risk of disease, according to Dr.Clyde Yancy, a cardiologist and president of the American Heart Association.

For people with diabetes,  they are advised to eat a varied diet in order to achieve a balance between carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Some have diabetes can control their blood sugar by eating only three meals a day and avoid sweet foods. While the rest need a strict diet.

To reduce the risk of heart disease, do the exercise because it increases blood flow through blood vessels smaller and increase the efficiency of heart pumping power.

As we get older, gaining weight becomes a fear. As a result we are distancing ourselves from the weight scales and the ritual of buying clothes became an unpleasant activity.

According to Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, author of Fight Fat After Forty, weight gain at the age of 40 years and over is normal. Because hormonal changes very easy to make fat accumulate in the body. However, the hormonal changes really only make our bodies gain weight 1-2,5 kg. “What makes the scales continue to go up is our lifestyles that are not healthy and rarely do exercise.”

So what can we do? “Hold these 3 keys, mind, mouth, and muscle,” Peeke said with enthusiasm.

Use the mind to control the stress that appears. Hormonal changes also affect our emotional stability. After that, Peeke added, choose the size, quality, and frequency of nutrient-rich meal. “When we talk about the adequacy of nutrition for the elderly, then the diet should consist more of wheat, fruits, vegetables, plus protein,” She explained as she mentioned, we also must remember the needs of daily calories.

For those at the age 40-50 need 1500-1600 calories a day if we do sports. While for men aged, the required calories per day is 1800-2000.

In order that the fat does not accumulate, Peeke suggest us to do sports. Physical activity not only reduce fat in the body, but also strengthen our bones. Ideally, the percentage of body fat in older women is 22-27 per cent. Whereas for men is 18-25 percent of daily caloric needs.

As for the rules of eating, Peeke allows us to eat every 3 or 4 hours. That way, we will not overeat as a result of being hungry too long. “But remember, do not eat too late. Because, the it will give the body too little time to process it into energy. “

Obesity and depression were closely linked. One study revealed that obesity increases the risk of depression. In contrast, depressed people are also at increased risk to obesity.

Research conducted by the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands,found that depression increased the risk of obese people who were not initially depressed by 55 per cent and depression increase the risk of obesity is initially normal weight by 58 percent.

“There is reciprocal relationship over time between depression and obesity,” says lead researcher Dr S Floriana Luppino from Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, told by Reuters Health. Luppino said, this analysis was not designed to determine what type of person is prone to the risk of depression, but only to find out how much obesity increases risk.

But as a comparison, a recent study was funded by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that nearly one in four cases of obesity associated with mood or anxiety disorders.

These findings, said the researchers at the NIMH as listed on the site, appears to support what other studies have found that obesity in which case the rise in the United States is associated with increased levels of depression citizens and the problems other mental health.

Meanwhile, recent research conducted Leiden University Medical Center also has the same result. The study was collected from approximately 15 studies have been published to see whether being overweight or obese is associated with depression, and vice versa.

Studies collectively involving more than 58,000 people, using a measure of body mass index (body mass index / BMI) to measure how fat or thin a person. For reference, the United States adults with a BMI 25 or more is considered overweight, but some were calling the size of BMI over 30 had declared obesity.

Being fat, said Luppino, not only increases the risk of depression, but depression may trigger a more violent, which is no longer centered around the symptoms of depression. In contrast to obesity, the relationship between depression and being overweight (but not obese) is not related reciprocity, but only one direction. He said, being overweight only increases the risk of depression in people who were not initially depressed. However, depression did not increase the risk of being overweight from time to time.

This finding itself was reported in a recent issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, which also showed that the relationship between obesity and depression are more likely evident in Americans than Europeans.

Why? ‘An association response, which means the higher the BMI the more people suffering from depression may explain the association, “said Luppino. The average weight of Americans are heavier than ratarata European citizens.

However, the researchers say, the effects of psychological stress in overweight people should not be ignored. Overweight and obesity can lead to low self-esteem, and dissatisfaction with body shape. “Especially in Western countries where thin is often regarded as an ideal of beauty. Both the low self and body shape dissatisfaction known to increase risk of depression, “said Luppino.

Because depression and obesity carry a greater health implication, it is important to prevent and treat both. The team of Dutch researchers are encouraging doctors and other health professionals, who work in various fields, to collaborate and exchange their expertise.

Luppino suggested, doctors who treat patients who are overweight or obese can also treat depression related problems. While psychiatrists or general practitioners who treat depressed people can advise patients who are obese are also to meet with dietitians.

While other studies mentioned, good habits at home as often eat with the family at home may prevent children are obese. Research published in March issue of the journal Pediatrics stated that children who are toddlers could decrease the risk of obesity by 40 percent if often have dinner with the family, limiting hours of watching TV, and enough sleep.

“Doing one or all three are proven to reduce the risk of obesity of children under five,” said Sarah Anderson PhD, lead researcher and assistant professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University, United States, as quoted by webmd.com.

Children under five who live at home and followed the three lifestyle restrictions such routines can reduce almost 40 percent lower risk of obesity than those who did not do all three. These findings also take into account risk factors, such as maternal obesity and household income.

Have ever you felt the pain in the feet or hands in the morning? If you have, then you must be alert and immediately find ways to overcome them. It may be that you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. This disease can cause permanent disability and even premature death.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joint tissue. It is possibly also attack other organs. If it is not treated immediately, there will be joint damage and disability, and even premature death. Rheumatoid arthritis is not an independent disease, but rather a group of diseases. But the cause is still unknown.

The disease is caused by many factors. Can be genetic, could also be due to an unhealthy lifestyle. If any family members who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, chances are the child or offspring suffer the same disease. Unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking may like to increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.

It is a general think that all of rheumatic diseases are caused by uric acid. Whereas rheumatic disease because of uric acid (gout arthritis) is only approximately 7 percent of the rheumatic diseases. This disease can attack all people, both children and adults. But the most frequently attacked are young adults to the elderly.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that is widespread and involves all racial and ethnic groups in the world.  It usually starts in children before the age of 16 years. Generally, this disease attacks the joints of the fingers, wrists, shoulders, knees, and feet. At an advanced stage, patients will not be able to perform daily activities and quality of life decreases.

Factors Causes and Symptoms

Autoimmune disease occurs because of interference with the normal functioning of the immune system, so that the immune system attack the body’s own tissue. It could also be due to the failure of antibodies to recognize his own body cells and considered a foreign body so destructive.

Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the joints wrapped in a layer commonly called sinovium and cause inflammation of the joints wrappers. Result sinovitis (inflammation of the sinovium) that chronic damage to joint cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments in the joints. Inflammation causes sinovium out some substances that undermined cartilage cells, causing damage to bone and may result in the disappearance of the joint surface that would interfere with joint motion. If it is not immediately treated, can occur permanent disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually causes problems in several joints in the same time.

In the early stages, this disease usually attacks the small joints such as wrists, hands, ankles, and feet. Next it will attack shoulder joint,  elbows, knees, hips, jaw, and neck. Generally, this disease attacks the joints of the fingers, wrists, shoulders, knees, and feet.  This situation will occur in the morning and will disappear in the afternoon.

Other symptoms include fever, decreased appetite, weight loss, weakness, and less blood. Sometimes the patient does not feel the symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is usually established from the patient history. Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be said positively when the patient is experiencing as described above for 6 weeks.They will also be carried out laboratory and radiology tests to determine the condition of the patient’s joints.

It can also be carried out joint fluid analysis. The doctor will take joint fluid with a sterile needle, and joint fluid will be analyzed whether there are elevated levels of leukocytes or not.

The goal of treatment is to reduce joint inflammation and prevent or slow joint damage that can cause permanent disability. Besides treatment is also intended to prevent muscle weakness. Early treatment is to improve the comfort and maintain the independence of patients in order not to depend on others.

Previously, the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms start to eliminate the pain such as reducing swelling dab pain. Now, treatment is intended to stop the disease in order not to continue, to prevent loss of joint function, and prevent disability, thus preventing premature death. In the future, treatments directed to reduce the disease despite treatment is stopped.

Treatment of this disease is divided into two, namely treatment with drugs and therapies such as physiotherapy, psychological, and surgery. Lack of drug consuming could occur side effects, the use of fairly complex procedures, slow effects, and the failure rate is quite large.

If the various treatments have been carried out and did not succeed and there is a strong enough reason, it is recommended for surgery. Surgery is an option if the provision of drugs failed to prevent and slow down joint damage. Surgery can restore function to damaged joints.