What dietary precautions should people with psoriasis follow and what medical recommendations should they follow?
Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease related to the immune system with frequent relapses and remissions, which affects about 2-4% of the world’s population and 150,000 new patients are added to this number every year. In the conversation we had with traditional medicine experts, we discussed the symptoms of this disease, its prevalence and traditional medicine solutions to control this disease.
Dr. Akram Elsadat Atyabi, a specialist in traditional medicine and a member of the academic staff of the University of Traditional Medicine, said in an interview with Salamaneh about this disease: “The cause of this disease is not completely clear, but genetic, environmental factors, dysfunction of the digestive system, and ultimately immune system disorders They are involved in it.”
In response to the question about the prevalence of this disease, he explained that the prevalence of psoriasis among different nations is different geographically and racially, and in Scandinavian countries its prevalence is up to 8.5% and in America it is less than 1% of the population.
According to this traditional medicine expert, this disease is seen in both sexes in the same proportion and it is more common in two age peaks, one between 15 and 20 years and the other between 55 and 60 years.
He further mentioned the symptoms of the disease and said: “The skin lesions in this disease are prominent and red with many scales that appear in different parts of the body such as elbows, knees, trunk, hands or feet. The prevalence of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, depression, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriatic arthritis, kidney, liver, inflammatory and immunological diseases such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis and some types of cancer and skin lymphoma are very high.
Emphasizing that psoriasis is a genetic disease that can be triggered by several environmental factors, Atyabi noted that stress, sudden discontinuation of corticosteroids, damage to the skin, change of seasons (autumn makes the disease worse) and weather. “Dry skin, hot water, heavy alcohol consumption, smoking and obesity are among the factors that can aggravate the disease.”
In the continuation of the conversation, when we asked Dr. Leila Shirbeigi, an expert in traditional medicine, whether this is a disease or not, she replied: “This disease is not contagious at all, and as mentioned, this disease intensifies in the fall season, that’s why from the point of view of medicine “Traditional strategies are suggested to control the disease in this season.”
Shirbeigi said regarding the traditional medicine solutions to control psoriasis: “According to the mood of the autumn season, patients should avoid consuming substances and behaviors that increase the coldness and dryness of the body, which in the term of traditional medicine are called soudaza.”
Among the effective ways to control psoriasis, he considered reducing the consumption of carbonated foods and said: “Eggplant, lentils, salty seasonings, cabbage, industrial foods (sausages, sausages, fast foods and canned goods) as well as continuous and frequent consumption of fruits and thick foods such as fish. “Salted and dried meat, beef, eggplant, mango and banana, vinegar, pickles, curd, and curd should be reduced because of their diuretic properties.”
Shirbeigi also emphasized that impulsive behaviors should also be reduced: “Sufferers of this disease should avoid anger, resentment, anger, aggression, constant regret, sadness, excessive happiness, immobility, excessive sleep, excessive fatigue, in Being exposed to too much heat, being exposed to too much cold, overeating too much, being in too hot and cold conditions, being exposed to the light beam of low-energy lamps and generally using too many lamps, as well as using the sounds of jazz music continuously and continuous sounds. Avoid using In addition to these, jumping from sleep, insufficient sleep, changing the sleep schedule at night and day, morning sleep, sleeping late, being afraid, using very cold water after meals, using very hot drinks, using alcoholic beverages, drinking water between food, eating frozen food, eating late-night food, using very salty, very spicy and very bitter food, using electric cookers, sleeping in metal beds, and rooms with metal walls, and using polished coatings in the room and residence. Excessive use of cell phones and computers, not walking, constant silence, extreme sadness and anxiety, not crying, watching violent and scary scenes are other suspicious behaviors that should be avoided in general.
According to Shirbeigi, a faculty member of the Faculty of Traditional Medicine of the University of Tehran, finally, patients should observe moderation in both behavior and food consumption so as not to have relapses during this season.
Dr. Akram Atyabi, a member of the academic staff of the University of Traditional Medicine, finally emphasized that the treatment of this disease from the point of view of modern medicine is only symptomatic and the use of oral and topical moisturizing and corticosteroid drugs, but in traditional medicine, with observance of food etiquette and behavioral therapy, as well as non-toxic drugs. Herbal complications will be more complete and better treatment waiting for the patient, he noted: “Currently, specialized skin and hair clinics (located in the Faculty of Traditional Medicine of Tehran University, such as Khark Traditional Medicine Clinic) under the supervision of traditional medicine specialists of Tehran University receive patients with psoriasis. and by modifying the lifestyle and simple dietary and treatment recommendations, we try to control the symptoms of the disease and prevent the recurrence of the disease.”
