Does psoriasis raise the risk of diabetes?

It may seem odd that a skin disease would possibly put you at a higher risk for diabetes.  But research is showing that when you have psoriasis, the potential for developing diabetes is increases.  This is why anyone with the skin disorder of psoriasis should be aware of problems that could occur over the years.

A 2013 Danish study followed more than 52,000 adults and children age 10 and older with psoriasis for 13 years and compared them to the rest of the Danish population.  Researchers found that everyone with psoriasis, whether it was mild or severe, were at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes.  The more severe the skin disorder was the higher the risk for diabetes.

Another study conducted in 2012 and published in the Archives of Dermatology compared more than 100,000 people with psoriasis to 430,000 people without it.  Those who had severe cases of psoriasis had nearly double the chance of developing type 2 diabetes than people without it.  Even people with a mild case of psoriasis, had an 11 percent higher risk.

The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study also showed that people with psoriasis were more than 60% more likely than others to have diabetes.

What is the connection between psoriasis and type 2 diabetes?

The connection between psoriasis and type 2 diabetes may explain why having the skin condition may put a person at a higher risk:

·      Inflammation

Both psoriasis and type 2 diabetes are conditions of chronic inflammation in the body.  Chronic inflammation is a significant contributing factor for the development of both of these diseases. 

The inflammation caused by psoriasis can increase the amount of an insulin-like growth factor in the body that is linked to diabetes.  Plus psoriasis affects the immune system that has been linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Psoriasis affects the immune system by activating it to release all kinds of molecules into the blood of which these same molecules can alter different aspects of the body’s chemistry. 

·      They have commonalities between them

Both psoriasis and type 2 diabetes share related conditions – obesity, higher body mass index, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

·      Both affected by lifestyle habits

Certain lifestyle habits are often implicated and responsible for the development of both psoriasis and type 2 diabetes.  People who smoke, drink alcohol, and have unhealthy eating habits are at a greater risk for developing both conditions. 

For anyone with psoriasis it does not mean that they will automatically develop type 2 diabetes in the future.  But it should be a reminder to them to be very scrupulous in treating their skin condition as it just may help reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 

6 Self-care Behaviors Diabetics Must Do To Keep Healthy

Anyone with diagnosed with diabetes must practice healthy lifestyle behaviors to avoid serious medical complications.  This chronic condition and the 7th leading cause of death in the United States can easily lead to major health problems disrupting a person’s quality of life unless they take the necessary steps it takes to prevent from happening.

The numerous health complications include:

·         Hypoglycemia

·         Hypertension

·         Dyslipidemia

·         Cardiovascular disease with an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks

·         Blindness and eye problems

·         Kidney problems

·         Amputations

·         Erectile dysfunction in men

·         Slow healing of wounds due to poor circulation

Here are the six self-care behaviors all diabetics can begin today to lead a long, healthy life:

1.      Choose healthy foods

·         Choose plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, poultry, lean meat and low-fat dairy.

·         Limit pre-packaged foods, fried foods and fast foods.

·         Follow a prescribed carbohydrate controlled meal plan designed for you.

·         Limit added sugars found in desserts and sweetened beverages.

·         Have consistent meals and snacks with moderate portion sizes.

·         Avoid skipping meals

·         Choose water as your main beverage.

2.      Become and stay physically active

·         Find an exercise you enjoy doing and make it a daily part of your life. 

·         Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week if not everyday.

3.      Monitor blood glucose regularly

·         Follow your physician’s advice on how frequently you should monitor your blood glucose.  It could be several times each week, once a day or several times a day.

·         Record the readings in a log booklet and take it with you to review with your physician at each visit.

4.      Take all prescribed medications

·         The diabetes medication prescribed to you must be taken regularly.  If the medication is causing side effects, let your physician know this.

·         Have a good understanding of the medications action, side effects, dosage and timing of action.

·         It is not unusual to have changes made in diabetes medications so be sure to know why changes are being made.

5.      Be proactive

·         Quit smoking and have regular eye, foot, and dental exams

·         Set a goal to have your HgbA1C be <7% and your blood pressure <140/90.

·         If offered, attend any and/or all diabetes education classes taught by certified diabetes educators.

·         Meet with a Registered Dietitian to have a complete understanding of what and how to eat to best control your blood glucose levels.

6.      Reduce stress

·         The first step is to recognize the signs of stress

·         As best as you can, try to prevent or avoid stress and stressful situations and learn to relax

·         Get support from other by joining a diabetes support group.  Ask your physician for contacts or call your local diabetes state office for more information.