Psoriasis Could Be Behind Frequent Fatigue
Psoriasis is a topical condition that causes dry, scaly and itchy patches to develop on the skin around the scalp, trunk, elbows and knees. The condition is chronic and is typically managed using medication to alleviate symptoms, coping strategies and different lifestyle habits to minimize the number of triggers in your life. Even though psoriasis typically acts on the skin, with its symptoms generally affecting different areas of the skin, studies have found that psoriasis may also cause exhaustion.
Exhaustion is something we all experience every day. It is a normal part of the human experience that is essentially the body’s way of telling you to take a break, rest and recharge. Chronic exhaustion, on the other hand, is often caused by underlying medical conditions and typically affects women more than men.
In some cases, the underlying condition causing chronic pain may be psoriasis.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) explains that some people with psoriasis may be dealing with persistent fatigue that affects their day-to-day activities. A 2023 study published in the “British Journal of Dermatology” estimates that some 30% of the 4 million Americans living with psoriasis regularly experience fatigue.
Some estimates suggest that up to 50% of Americans with psoriasis may experience persistent fatigue.
A different analysis of psoriasis patients in the United States, which was published in the “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” last December, found that one in three psoriasis patients experienced “severe fatigue.” Furthermore, patients who developed psoriatic arthritis were much more likely to experience severe exhaustion.
American Academy of Dermatology fellow and board-certified dermatologist Roslyn George, MD, notes that although most people think psoriasis just affects the skin, psoriasis is actually a systematic disease that affects the whole body.
While physicians still don’t understand why psoriasis leads to chronic fatigue, they believe that this may be due to the disease’s interaction with the immune system. The theory is that since psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, it puts the entire immune system on “hyper alert” all the time and forces the body to spend a significant amount of energy keeping the immune system active.
Boston Medical Center dermatologist and Boston University School of Medicine associate professor of dermatology Neelam Vashi, MD, notes that the inflammation caused by psoriasis can go to the joints, skin and other body parts, and consumes the body’s energy.
According to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine emeritus professor of dermatology Stephen P. Stone, MD, the discomfort caused by psoriasis can also make it difficult for patients to sleep. By disrupting sleep patterns, psoriasis makes it difficult for patients to enjoy a full night’s sleep, increasing their risk of developing fatigue buildup over the long-term.
However, there is hope for patients. Numerous companies, such as BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV), are working to commercialize novel treatments such as immunotherapies that can offer better clinical outcomes to patients.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/BVXV
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
Psoriasis is a topical condition that causes dry, scaly and itchy patches to develop on the skin around the scalp, trunk, elbows and knees. The condition is chronic and is typically managed using medication to alleviate symptoms, coping strategies and different lifestyle habits to minimize the number of triggers in your life. Even though psoriasis typically acts on the skin, with its symptoms generally affecting different areas of the skin, studies have found that psoriasis may also cause exhaustion.
Exhaustion is something we all experience every day. It is a normal part of the human experience that is essentially the body’s way of telling you to take a break, rest and recharge. Chronic exhaustion, on the other hand, is often caused by underlying medical conditions and typically affects women more than men.
In some cases, the underlying condition causing chronic pain may be psoriasis.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) explains that some people with psoriasis may be dealing with persistent fatigue that affects their day-to-day activities. A 2023 study published in the “British Journal of Dermatology” estimates that some 30% of the 4 million Americans living with psoriasis regularly experience fatigue.
Some estimates suggest that up to 50% of Americans with psoriasis may experience persistent fatigue.
A different analysis of psoriasis patients in the United States, which was published in the “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” last December, found that one in three psoriasis patients experienced “severe fatigue.” Furthermore, patients who developed psoriatic arthritis were much more likely to experience severe exhaustion.
American Academy of Dermatology fellow and board-certified dermatologist Roslyn George, MD, notes that although most people think psoriasis just affects the skin, psoriasis is actually a systematic disease that affects the whole body.
While physicians still don’t understand why psoriasis leads to chronic fatigue, they believe that this may be due to the disease’s interaction with the immune system. The theory is that since psoriasis is an inflammatory condition, it puts the entire immune system on “hyper alert” all the time and forces the body to spend a significant amount of energy keeping the immune system active.
Boston Medical Center dermatologist and Boston University School of Medicine associate professor of dermatology Neelam Vashi, MD, notes that the inflammation caused by psoriasis can go to the joints, skin and other body parts, and consumes the body’s energy.
According to Southern Illinois University School of Medicine emeritus professor of dermatology Stephen P. Stone, MD, the discomfort caused by psoriasis can also make it difficult for patients to sleep. By disrupting sleep patterns, psoriasis makes it difficult for patients to enjoy a full night’s sleep, increasing their risk of developing fatigue buildup over the long-term.
However, there is hope for patients. Numerous companies, such as BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV), are working to commercialize novel treatments such as immunotherapies that can offer better clinical outcomes to patients.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: BVXV) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/BVXV
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
